Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-02
State House Comment
on the German Note

The latest break by Germany GREAT
ed more or less discussion at the State
Rouse Thursday among the Solons and
all VINO talked about the situation ad :
mltted that 1t was a grave one.
Governor Carl f. Milliken THURSDAY
morning in discussing the German
American situation, said:
III the situation is as grave as IS
represented in the news despatches
then there should be, in my opinion.
no further delay in handing the Ger
man ambassador his passport. II
should not be necessary to walt for a
further offense to be committed"
Hon. Taber d. Bailey of Bangor. the
president of the Senate. said:
ANY one with drop of pure red
blood in his veins must regard this lat :
est declaration by Germany as an af-
front to the ancient and well under
stood customs and laws promulgated
by our forefathers for the protection of
travellers upon the seas and the dis
semlnation of commerce. The rules OF
international law have been evolved
through long series Of years through
the brains and study of the worlds
greatest statesmen and should be re-
spected by all nations"
Hon. William l.. Bonney of Bowdoin-
ham. the speaker of the House OF
Representatives, said:
THE situation as regards Ger
many,,s action is certainly grave one
and itis question which is of the ut
most Importance at this time"
Representative Edward p. Murray of
Bangor said:
Il believe that the situation with
Germany is a serious one, but we have
a good strong man in the White House
at Washington who is thoroughly able
to cope with the situation"
Rep. III. c. Buzzel of Belfast said:
II think that the time has arrived
when something should be done by this
government to show Germany where
her place is and TO make her keep that
place"
Senator Howard Davies of Cumber-
land said:
II believe that the seas are open
highways of commerce and should be
just as open and accessible as the great
highways of the land. Our industrial
development has gone forward by
leaps and bounds and we find our
selves at the present time in a position
where our citizens are compelled to
cross the great seas on matters of i'm
portance relating to their business in
the same general ways that they were
compelled some time ago to travel from
city to city on the continent. Ger
many's action is desperate. 1t reveals
to the world that she has reached the
crisis of the war. No country in these
enlightened times could make such a
desperate decree in violation of all in
ternational law and all precedent in the
conduct of the government Of nations
without revealing to the world the des-
perate and critical condition among
her own people at home.
Representative Percival p. Baxter of
Portland said:
Regardless of party we should stand
behind the President The time has
come when we must face realities. Our
self respect, our independence, demand
firm attitude. We have treated Ger
many with every consideration, far
more than we would have received had
the situation been reversed. Our pa :
tience has been inexhaustiHe, but
there is an end even to this. III Ger
many holds to her present position. we
have but one course to pursue. Send
Won Bernstorff home and await the
consequences"