Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-01
IBy Assocln,cd rrcsal

| WASHINGTON. January sI.-Ger-
manS.s declaration pf unrestricted
naval warfare assumed to mean the
fsinking without warning OF passenger
and freight vesseIs-the course which
the United States in the Sussex ne
gotiations gave warning would cause
the American government to sever Dip
lomatic relations-was received here
with most profound surprise. There
mad been no official hint that such a
development was coming.
President Wilson was In his Office
when the text of the German note
began coming on the Associated Press
wires and copies were sent TO him as
received. He would see no callers.
The state Department closed for tho
DAY soon after Ambassador Won Bern
storff delivered the note, identical with
that handed Amba ssador Gerard. at
Berlin. Secretary Lansing went home
without seeing the President or making
any comment.
PRESIDENT AMAZED
AT GERMANY'S ACTION
When Associated Press dispatches
telling of the German note began arr
irving at the White House to-day.
President Wilson was In his office talk-
{
hurried 10 him with the news
The President could not believe IL
until assured that the information was
contained in a formal note already be-
fore the State Department
Cabinet members likewise received
the news with expressions of amaze
mcnt. On every hand, in official circles
the first opinion formed without de-
tailed consideration. was that diplo-a
| matte relations with Germany would
| he broken II the terms OF the decree
are carried out, r..
PRESIDENT GAVE WARNING
IN HIS NOTE ON SUSSEX
| The decision as to what the course
Of the American government shall be
lies with the President, who. in his
final note on the Sussex case. said:
IF ii is still the purpose of the Inn
! lperial government to prosecute relent-
less and indiscrnninate warfare against
vessels OF commerce by the use Of SUBJ
marines without regard TO what tho
united states must consider the sacred
and indisputable rules Of international
law aud the universally recognized die
tates of humanity. the government OF
the United states is ri last forced to
the conclusion that there is but one
course 1t can pursue. Unless the inn.
iperial government should now imme.
dtately declare and effect an abandon
ment OF its present methods of sub
marine warfare against passenger and
ireight-carrying vessels. the govern
ment Of the United States can have no
choice hut to sever diplomatic relations
with the German empire altogether.
This action the government OF the
United States contemplates with the
greatest reluctance. but feels con-
strained TO take in behalf of humans
ity and the rights OF neutral nations."
STARVATION BLOCKADE
OF ENGLAND DECLARED
y starvation blockade OF England.
| the like OF which the world never has
seen, was announced to-day In notes
delivered to American Ambassaduf
Gerard in Berlin and 10 the State De-
partment here by Count Won Bern-
storif. 81
| Thus begins the long feared cam
paign Of ruthlessness. conceived by
Won lIindenburg. II is said here. onsa
magnitude never even contemplated bSe
Won Tirpitz,
Again the United states faces soy
| crance of diplomatic relations with
Germany with all Its eventual posxi5s,
bilIties. President Wilson's repeated
warnings OF "a world afre,' and Sec.s
retaraS SLansing's verge Of war; state.