The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1917-02-02
Break With Germany
Unrestricted Submarine Policy
Becomes Imminent As Result OF Her

Washington, Jan. 3l.-Germany
has declared unrestricted submarine
warfare.
A starvation blockade of England,
the like of which the world never has
seen, was announced to the world to-
day in notes delivered to American
Ambassador Gerard in Berlin and to
the State Department here by Count
Won Bernstorff.
Again the United States faces sew
erance of diplomatic relations with
Germany with all its eventual posi-
bilities. President Wilson's repeated
warnings of "a World a-fire" and Sec
rotary Lansing's ''verge of war"
statement are being recalled in the
capital tonight with feelings of ap-
prehension and misgiving
Germany's action is the super-cri-
sis of all those that have stirred the
American Government in two and a
half years of world war.
Talk of peace and means of pre-
serving the peace of the world has
gone glimmering. President Wilson,
incredulous at first when the unoffi-
cial text of Germany's warning was
brought to him, at once called for the
official document which had just been
presented to Secretary Lansing by the
German Ambassador.
A cloud of deepest anxiety settled
over the White House and the State
Department. The President and his
advisers apparently were confronted
with the greatest international prob
lem which the European war had yet
presented. 1t was pointed out that
President probably would not decide
on a course of action without laying
the entire situation before the Cabi-
net. The Cabinet will not meet in
regular session until Friday, but it
was believed possible that the Presi-
dent might summon his lieutenants
to the White House at any time. 1t
was likewise pointed out that the
! President nearly year ago promised
! Congressional leaders that he would
not break relations with any Euro
pean nation over questions relating
i to the war without first consulting
! the President will call a joint session
of Congress and lay the entire matter
/ before them.
The decision as to what the course
of the American Government shall be
lies with the President. who, in the
/ final note on the Sussex case, said:
eff it is still the purpose of the I'm.
perial Government to prosecute re.
! lentless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels of commerce by the
use of submarines without regard tc
what the United States must consider
the sacred and indisputable rules Of
international law and the universally
: recognized dictates of humanity, the
Government of the United States i!
at last forced to the conclusion thai
there is but one course it can pursue
'Unless the imperial Government
should now Immediately declare an(
effect an abandonment OF its presen
method of submarine warfare agains
passenger and freight-carrying YES
sells. the Government of the United
States can have no choice but to seve
diplomatic relations with the German
Empire altogether. This action tn
Government of the United States con
templates with the greatest reluctanc
but feels constrained to take in be
half of humanity and the rights o
neutral nations"
Nearly two years ago the Unite
States delivered this ultimatum o.
question of the use of submarines. A
that time Germany agreed to restric
the use of submarines. TOday's not
not only removes all restrictions, bu
directs the new submarine campaig
against neutral as we'll as belligeren
merchant ships. 1t prescribes ''bal
, red zone" about the Entente nation
. and forbids all ships under penalt
of sinking to keep out of that zone
f There was no question in officis
, Washington tonight that the submal
inc plansI laid down in the note al
fatty in contradiction of the agree
{ ment laid down by the German Coy
A ment when it accepted the SUISSE
| note.
: On Friday it was announced thu
President Wilson'S answer to Ge
manv's declaration of unrestricte
warfare has been decided upon but
6 known only to three or four member
. of his officials family. Whether
q will be solemn warning of break
: diplomatic relations if Germany
= campaign is carried out or actual
!, a severance of relations without flu
9 Their waiting remained undisclose
!