Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-02-03
United States Breaks With Germany
and Ambassador Won Bernstorti
to Leave Washington.
President Wilson has determined

He notified Congress. in joint ses-
sion at 2 o'clock this afternon, OF
the course he has adopted.
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin has
been ordered home.
German Ambassador Won Bern
storff either has already or will be
Immediately be given his passports.
This was learned unoficially at
at 1880 o'clock this morning shortly
after ,an announcement had been
made at the White House that the
President would address Congress
this afternoon.
James w. Gerard, United States
ambassador to Germany, is under
stood to have already asked for his
passports.
Passports will be given to Count
Won Bernstorff, the Germany ambas-
sador, at once.
The President reached this decis-
ion, which few people believe will
lead eventually to war, after an all
night consideration. During the night
he prepared message to be read
at the Joint session this afternoon.
Whether or not there will be an
actual declaration of war following
upon the Presidents action depends
upon Germany.
This country has made all prepara-
tions for any eventuality.
The preparations have been going
on for weeks, it was learned today.
Announcement of the President S
decision, reached yesterday morning
was held up in order that all last de-
tails might be carefully attended TO
It is expected confidently that re-
lations between the United States
and Austria Hungary, and perhaps
Turkey, .will-.also be broken Withlh
the next "a or 4s hours. lAal that
stays this action with regard to these
two powers is: the acion from Official
confirmation that these powers nave
subscribed TO the ruthless submarine
warfare proclaimed by Germany
T. ;s understood that the Spanish
ambassador at Berlin has been asked
70 take over American interests
there and that w. A. Ekengren'
the Swedish minister here, will take
over the German interests
An announcement is expected
momentarily concerning the plans OF
the Navy Department: to protect
American shipping and to prepare
for any eventualities.
Washington, Feb. 3.-Germany IS
nrepared to go to any lengths u
nrotect American ships, American
passengers and American mails IN
~ now submarine blockade of the
oo.sts Of the entente powers.
Supplemental Instructions TO al"
h,ssador Won Bernstorff, it was an
.anncoa at the German Embassy
last night, accompanied the German
1oa1orot;on of renewed submarine
m,,rf,ro and authorized the Amhas-
.odor ~ clear the way for the safe
massage of American liners. Inc
Ambassador declared that he would
make every possible effort to taelii-
tate the sailing and safe trans-Atiah-
tic massage of any and all American
ships. c, ;.
germany desires to safeguard IN \
every possible way the lives anu anu
nroperty of American citizens on the
b;oh seas" he declared.
II was clear that the German En-
bassv believed that this announce
rent might in some way relieve the
growing tension between the two
countries and point the way for a
settlement of the pending contro-
versy.
The Ambassador stated that IN
connection with the German note de-
clarine renewed submarine warfare
his government had accorded nm tne
mower of extending to all oonaroe
American ships the privilege OF
evading the blockade. He said tha'
instructions sent him at the time
the note was transmitted authorize
him to issue permits for the salllng
of any or all American ships tha'
will comply with the German con
traband regulations. and will follow
the course laid down in the note fol
American vessels.
Under my instructions" said tn,
Ambassador, 81 am authorized Il
When in Washington and hungry
stop at Schneider's Restaurant, 1871