The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-02-06
WILSON TELLS
Why He BROKE
With GERMANY

Washington, d. c., Feb. Sin the
following words, President Wilson ex-
planned to the joint session of CON
gress Saturday afternoon why he sew
cred diplomatic relations with Ger
many:
Gentlemen of the Congress:
The imperial German government
on the 3lst Of January announced to
this government, and to the govern
ments of the other neutral nations,
that on and after the first day of Feb
ruary, the present month, 1t would
adopt a policy with regard to the use
of submarines against all shipping
seeking to pass through certain des-
ignated areas of the high seas, to
which 1t is clearly my duty to call
your attention.
Let me remind the congress on the
8th Of April last, in view Of the sink
Ing on the Gath Of March of the cross
channel passenger steamer Sussex by
German submarine, without sum-
mons or warning, and the consequent
loss OF the lives of several citizens of
the United States, who were passen-
gers aboard her, this government ad-
dressed note to the imperial German
government, in which 1t made the fol-
lowing declaration:
'Jf It is still the purpose OF the i'm
perial government TO prosecute relent-
less and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels OF commerce by the
Use OF submarines, without regard to
what the government of the United
States must consider the sacred and
indisputable rules of international law
and the universally recognized die
tates of humanity, the government of
the United States is at last forced to
the conclusion that there is but one
course IL can pursue. Unless the inn
perlal government should now immed-
lately declare and effect an abandon
ment of its present methods of sub
marine warfare against passenger and
freight carrying vessels, the govern
ment Of the United States can have
no choice but to sever diplomatic re-
lations with the German empire alto
gether."
In reply to this declaration the inn
perial German government gave this
government the following assurance:
"rhe German government is pre-
pared to do its utmost TO confine the
operations of war for the rest Of It's
duration to the fighting forces of the
belllgerents, thereby also insuring the
freedom Of the seas, a principle upon
which the German government be-
lieves now, as before, to be in agree
ment with the government OF the
United States.
THE German government, guided by
this idea, notifies the government of
the United States that the German
naval forces have received the fol
lowing orders In accordance with
the general principles of visit and
search and destruction of merchant
vessels recognized by International
law, such vessels, both within and
without the area declared naval war
zone, shall not be sunk without warn
ing and without saving human lives,
unless these ships attempt to escape
| or offer resistance.
But" it added, "neutrals cannot eX-
pect that Germany, forced to fight for
her existence. shall, for the sake OF
neutral interest, restrict the use OF an
| effective weapon ii her enemy Is per
mitted to continue to apply at viii
methods of warfare violating the rules
OF international law. Such a demand
would be incompatible with the char
acter OF neutrality, and the German
government is convinced that the gov
crnment Of the United States does not
think OF making such a demand, know
ing thai the government of the Unit
ed States has repeatedly declared tina
It is determined to restore the princi
pie OF the freedom of the seas, iron
whatever quarter it has been violat
ed"
To this the government of the Unit
ed States replied on the Sth of May
accepting, OF course, the assurance
given. but adding:
The government OF the Unite,
States feels ii necessary to state tina
It takes it for granted that the impeT
ial German government does not in
tend to imply that the maintenance o
its newly announced policy is in an
way contingent upon the course or re
suit OF diplomatic negotiations be
tween the government of the Unite