The Prescott daily news., 1917-02-05
PRESIDENT SEEKS TO
 RANGE MORAL FORCE
 OF WORLD WITH LISA.
European Neutrals Near Ger many May Hesitate to Act Austria Has Not Announced
 Adherence to German Policy.

Washington, Feb. 4-Besides break | ing off diplomatic relations with Ger many, President Wilson has made bold stroke to range the moral forces of all other neutral countries along with that of the United States in the interest of peace. The president has suggested to all the other neutrals that they break off diplomatic relations with Germany, as the United States has done, and has instructed all American diplomats in those countries to report immediately how the suggestion is received. The opinion in diplomatic quarters here is that European neutrals, at the very doorstep of Germany, threatened by her military power, will hesitate to take such step. The effect of the suggestion in other countries is being eagerly awaited.
 This was the only known develop ment of first importance which came out of day of tense waiting which followed the actual announcement yes terday of the break with Germany
 News that the American staemey Housatonic had not been sunk without proper warning and that no lives had been lost dispelled cloud which threatened the storm to follow the first overt act against the United | tata bo
 Still hopeful that Germany will not ruthlessly sacrifice American lives or rights, the administration is awaiting developments, but leaving nothing un- done to prepare the country for the eventuality of war.
 No Break Yet With Austria.
 The situation as to Austria tonight is unchanged. There is no doubt, however, that diplomatic relations will be broken with her when she announc- es her intention to adhere to Ger many's course.
 The presidents invitations to neu- trals to follow his action was con- tained in instructions to American diplomats to announce the break with Germany to the governments to which they are accredited. It was contained in the following note:
 "You will immediately notify the government to which you are accred- ited that the United States, because of the German governments recent announcement of it's intention to re- new unrestricted submarine warfare, has no choice but to follow the course laid down in it's note of April IS, 1916 (The Sussex note.)
 Ut has therefore recalled the Amer ican ambassador from Berlin and has delivered passports to the German ambassador to the United States.
 Say also that the president is re- luctant to believe Germany actually will carry out her threat against neu- l tral commerce, but if it be done, the president will ask Congress to author | ize use of the national power to pro- tect American citizens engaged in their peaceful and lawful errands on the seas.
 "The course taken is, in the presi dents view. entirely in conformity with the principles he enunciated in his address to the Senate Jan. '12. (The address proposing a world league for peace.)
 All Peace Hope Not Gone.
 "He believes it will make for the peace of the world if other neutral powers can find it possible to take similar action.
 "Report fully and immediately on the reception of this announcement and upon the suggestion as to similar action"
 Thus it becomes apparent that in the shadow of war the president has | not abandoned his efforts for peace, and at the first step has moved to direct the moral force of the neutral ! world to compel Germany's return to an observance of international law at | sea.
 The danger that broken diplomatic relations between the United States | and Germany will develop into a state of war is by no means minimized by l President Wilson's course and neither he nor other officials of the govern ment are abating their preparation