The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-03
ASK NEUTRALS


L
Wednesday of the present week, the
German ambassador handed to the
secretary of state, along with formal
note a memorandum which contained
the following statement:
1.-The imperial government, there
fore, does not doubt that the govern
ment of the United States will under
stand the situation thus forced upon
Germany by the entente allies brutal
methods of war and by their determI-
nation to destroy the central powers
and that the government of the United
States will further realize that the now
openly disclosed intention of the en-
tente allies gives back to Germany the
freedom of action which she reserved
in her note addressed to the govern
ment of the United States on May
fourth, 1915.
Under these circumstances, Ger
many will meet the Illegal measures
of. her enemies by forcibly preventing
after February first. 1917, in zone
around Great Britain, France. Italy
and the eastern Mediterranean all
navigation, that of neutrals included,
from and to England, and from and to
France. etc All ships met within the
zone will be sunk
Must Uphold Q. S. Dignity.
81 think that you will agree with
me that, in view of this declaration,
which suddenly and without prior in
y
withdraws the solemn assurance given
in the imperial governments note of
the fourth of May, 1915, this govern
ment has no alternative consistent
with the dignity and honor of the
United States but to take the course
which in its note of the 18th of April,
1915, it announced that it would take
| in the event that the German govern
ment did not declare and effect an
abandonment of the methods of sub
| marine warfare which it was then en-
| ploying and to which it now purposes
| again to resort.
! ''I have, therefore, directed the sec
| rotary of state to announce to His EX-
celIency the German ambassador, that
| all diplomatic relations between the
United States and the German empire
are severed and that the American
| ambassador at Berlin will imm ediate-
/ ly be withdrawn; and in accordance
with this decision to hand to His Elk
| cellency his passports.
Still Has Confidence in Germany.
| Notwithstanding this unexpected
action of the German government, this
sudden and deeply deplorable renun-
citation of its assurances, given this
government at one of the most crit
/ ica1 moments of tension in the rela-
lions of the two governments, 1 re-
fuse to believe that it is the intention
Of the German authorities to do in
fact what they have warned US they
will feel at liberty to do. I cannot
bring myself to believe that they will
indeed, pay no regard to the ancient
friendship between their people and
our own, or to the solemn obligations
which have been exchanged between
them, and destroy American ships and
take the lives of American citizens in
the wilful prosecution of the ruthless
naval program they have announced
their intention to adopt. Only actual
overt acts on their part can make me
believe it, even now.
Paves Way for All Neutrals
IF this inveterate confidence on my
! part in the sobriety and prudent fore
sight of their purpose should unhap-
PLY prove unfounded; if American
ships and American lives should in
fact be sacrificed by their naval COM
manders in needless contravention OF
the just and reasonable understand
ings Of international law and the Oh
vious dictates of humanity, I shall
take the liberty of coming again be-
fore the congress to ask that authority
be given me to use any means thai
may be necessary for tha protection
our seamen and our people in the
prosecution of their peaceful and
legitimate errands on the high seas.
can do nothing less. 1 take it fol
granted that all neutral government:
| will take the same course.
Seeks No War With Germany.
I'VE do not desire any hostile con
eminent. We are the sincere friends
; of the German people and earnestly
desire to remain at peace with tn,
government which speaks for them
We shall not believe that they ar,
hostile to us unless and until we ar,
obliged to believe it: and we purpos'
nothing more than the reasonable de
Tense of the undoubted rights of ou
. people. We wish to serve no selfisl
! ends. We seek merely to stand tru
alike in thought and in action to tn
: memorial principles of our people
whihc L have sought to express in m.
1 address to the senate only two week
: ago-seek merely to vindicate on
right to liberty and justice and an I'm
molested life. These are the bases o
, peace. not war. God grant that w
= may not be challenged to defend then
: by acts of wilfu1 injustice on the par
i of the government of Germany
r The Quinine That Does Not Affect Head
4 because of its tonic and laxative effect
! Laxative Bromo Quinine be taken b,
Z anyone without causing nervousness o
| ringing in the head There is only on