Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-02-05
New York Bridges, Railways
and Enthusiastically Guarded
PRES. SAYS FOLLOW u. S.
CONTINUED from Page One)
Note to Diplomats

1t was contained in the following
note:
"You will Immediately notify the gov
ernment to which you are accredited
that the United States, because Of the
German governments recent announce
ment Of its intention to renew unre-
stricted submarine warfare, has no
choice but to follow the course laid
down in Its note of April 18, 1916 (the
Sussex note).
"It has, therefore, recalled the AM
erican ambassador to Berlin and has de-
livered passports to the German ambas-
sador to the United States.
"Say also that the President is re-
luctant to believe Germany actually will
carry out her threat against neutral
commerce, but if it be done the Presi-
dent will ask Congress to authorize use
of the national power to protect Ameri-
can 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 principle he enunciated in his ad-
dress to the Senate January IL (the ad-
dress proposing a world league for
peaoe).
"He believes it will make for the
peace of the world if other neutral
powers can find it possible to take SIM
liar action.
Report fully and Immediately on the
reception of this announcement and
upon the suggestion as to similar ac-
tion."
Peace Efforts Continue
Thus it becomes apparent that in the
shadow of war the President has not
abandoned his effort for peace and as the
first step has moved to direct the moral
force of the neutral world to compel Ger
many's return to an observance of inter-
national law at sea.
The danger that broken diplomatic re-
lations between the United States and
Germany will develop into a state of war
is by no means minimiZed by President
Wilson's course and neither he nor other
officials of the government are abating
their preparations for any eventuality.
Steps to protect American cities and
property against attack by foreign SYM
pathizers are day and night going for
ward actively, although silently. Prep
arations to prevent the disabling of
German war-bound ships in American
ports are being taken, but they are un-
announced. The question of conveying
American ships on their voyages to the
submarine zone still > is. undecided al
though the first impression is to let
American ships proceed in usual law
full way on the assumption that Germany
has been warned that an overt act means
war.
Sunday with Wilson
President Wilson spent the day quietly,
attending church in the morning, confer
ring briefly with officials over the tele-
phone. and in the afternoon talking over
with Senator Simmons, chairman of the
Senate finance committee, the problem
of raising necessary revenues should war
come. There were no unusual signs OF
activity about the state, war or navy de-
partments. but underneath the surface
forces were at work preparing the coun-
try for a situation which has been ex-
pected but hoped against ever since the
issue with Germany became acute. The
present situation may continue several
Il Lnfa
whether Germany intends to halt her
campaign of ruthlessness before Presi-
dent Wilson's final demand for respect to
American rights or whether she will fol-
low out her plan and take the conse-
quences.
Provisions made In the new subma rine
order for the safety of ships at sea at
the time it was promulgated may post
pone the overt act which would be an
act of war. On the other hand, it may
come at any moment by the ruthless act,
or even mistake, of some submarine COM
mander.
Survey Of Situation
With relations severed and the coun-
try preparing to meet the next step as
it comes, officials are rejecting now
upon the situation as it affects the
cause of peace and the situation of the
belligerents themselves.
1t seems to be accepted that the ac-
tion of the United States will tend to
hold the Entente Allies closer together
than ever before and deter talk of
separate peace. It seems to be accept
ed, too, that the rupture definitely re-
moves the United States as the worlds
peace maker and from tho Cerp,a,