The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-03
President Wilson Makes His
tOric Speech to Congress.
Threatens War if Germany
Sink American Ship.
QUESTION KAISER'S INTENTION
Cannot Believe Germany VIII
Garry Out Threat.
Declines to Reply to Late Ger
man U-BOat Note.
IS STROKE FOR LIBERTY
Thrust at Germany ON "Basis
of Peace Not War;"
Still COnfides in Friendship
Between Nations.
Declines to Reply to Late Ger
man U-BOat Note.
is STROKE FOR LIBERTY
Thrust at Germany ON "Basis
of Peace Not War;"
Still COnfideS in Friendship
Between Nations.

Washington, Feb. 3.-The severance
of diplomatic relations with Germany
was formally announced to the coun-
try and to the world by President
Wilson at a joint session OF congress
today at o'clock The United States
now stands on the verge of war, with
all the historic precedent of CEN
turtles pressing it forward.
Fervently invoking the guidance of
Almighty God in the step he had tax
en-, President Wilson detailed to the
congress why the United States could
not continue relations with warning
power which repeatedly invades its
sacred rights and takes the lives of its
citizens.
Silent and attentive, the grim COM
pany of the nations lawmakers lis
tened with rapt attention, while Pres
ident Wilson told of Americas course
in the now unsuccessful diplomatic
struggle to dissuade Germany from
her campaign of rLthlessness.
In concluding his address, Presi-
dent Wilson declared that he could
not even now believe that Germany
intends any overt acts against Amerl-
can citizens but that if overt acts are
forthcoming he will again come be-
fore congress to ask authority to
''use any means that may be necessary
for the protection of our seamen and
he believes, will take the same course.
I'VE wish to serve no selfish ends,
the president stated. I'VE seek mere
ly to stand true alike in thought and
in action to the immortal principles
of our people seek merely to
vindicate our right to liberty and JUS
tice and an unmolested life These
are the bases of peace, not war. God
grant that we may not be challenged
to defend them by acts of wilfuI in
justice on the part of the government
of Germany"
President Grave Under Cheers.
There was an unusual attendance
of diplomats to hear the presidents
address. Practically all the South
Americas were represented and many
other neutrals. impressed with the sig
nificance of the presidents action. for
their own countries, came to listen to
the history making address. The
gravity of the occasion was further
pictured by the presence of the jus
tees of the supreme court upon the
floor. Members of the cabinet also
were present.
AS usual, a committee. represent
ing both houses. escorted the presi-
dent to the speakers dais. The as
semblage arose as he entered the
chamber. Then it burst into cheering
and handclapp Ag as the president, his
face set and without the suggestion of
a smile, bowed and began reading his
address very slowly
There was tense silence in the great
room as he proceeded, outlining first
the negotiations with Germany. her
pledges to the United States after the
destruction of the passenger steamer
Sussex and the new naval order of
Germany, declaring for unrestricted
submarine warfare after February l.
The silence deepened as the presi-
dent continued.
Then the assemblage burst into ap-
plause when the president declared
he had directed the secretary of state
to announce to His E,xcellency, the
German ambassador, that I'll diplo-
q matte relations between the United
states and the German empire are
severed"
Awakens Patriotic Fervor.
There were cheers and handclappine
on both sides of the chamber. Re-
publicans and Democrats Joining in
the demonstration.
Again the congress and the galleries
cheered when the president declared
= he could not believe that GERMANY
-ould not regard her obligations and
re naed to destroy American shtns
Ike the lives of American citi-
zens.''