Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-06

ing importance affecting their own gov
e-nments.
As usual committee of congress-
men met the president and escorted him
10 the speakers dais-
CROWD CHEERS WILSON.
The whole body rose and cheered as
the present, acknowledging their
greeting without his usual smiles. but
grim faced and solemn, took his place
al the clerks desk and began reading
the document which is being heard
around the world.
Not a sound came from floor or gall
leries. but the clear. calm tones of the
president. proceeding slowly and dis
tinctly. The assemblage of senator's.
representatives and notables about MIN
listened with closest attention TO words
which may record one of the somore
moments Of American history II not
indeed OF the world
Briefly he reviewed now last April
the United States warned Germany, att
er the destruction of the Sussex. that
unless the imperial government declar-
ed and effected an abandonment of that
sort of submarine warfare the United
, States would have no choice but TO
sever diplomatic relations. Then he
quoted from the German reply, which
gave assurances that no ships would De
sunk without warning and provision
for safety of passengers and crews. he
recounted the provision which the Ger
man government attached. which in eff
feet reserved 10 itself the right to re-
cant its promises If the United States
did not secure relaxation of the British
restraints on commerce and then quot
ed from the reply of the United states
which refused to consider conditional
pledge and gave Germany final warn
ing that il could not entertain or discuss
any such suggestion.
The president did not refer TO the
long list of submarine operations which
have been conducted in violation of the
Sussex pledge, but proceeded at once to
the new war zone order which became
effective February 1.
When be told how the German procla-
nation left nothing for the honor and
dignity of the United States but break
in relations and that he had ordered
passports sent to Count Won Bernstorh
and a recaIl 20 Mr.. Gerard, the assem-
blage broke into a cheer in which Re-
publicans and Democrats alike joined.
More applause greeted his declaration
that only an overt act could convince
him that Germany intended TO violate
American lives and rights, and there
was prolonged applause and cheering
when he concluded by announcing that
should American ships and lives be sac
'rificed in needless contTavention Of the
Just and reasonable understandings of
international law and the obvious die
tates of humanity he would again ap-
near before congress 10 ask authority
to use any means that may be necessa-
nv for the protection of our seamen and
our people
After he concluded there were cheers
Of approval from both sides OF the chaIn-
Der and the president returned to the
White House TO discuss measures of pre-
caution with Secretary Daniels OF the
navy and Secretary Baker of the war
department
There were expressions of support
and approval of the presidents course.
As the Joint session dissolved both
houses went back to their work.
Soon after Count Won BernStorn
passports arrived. United States secret
service men threw a guard about the
ambassador and his suite to make GER
tain that the hospitality of the united
States is not violated while he remains
on American soil. The status of Count
Tsrnowski. the Austrian ambassador,
was undecided although he called at the
state department to arrange for pre-
senting his credentials to President Will
son
For months, ever since relations with
Germany became acute, there have been
onrinous signs of threatened activities
Of German sympathizers and d1sloyaI
Americans if diplomatic relations were
broken of. The administration has not
been unmindful of these. Various
branches of the government have inform
ed themselves on the subject far more
completely than might be thought. Or
.ficiaIs express themselves as satisfied
that they will be able to cope with the
situation In the army and navy and In
the citizenship generally officials real
ize that the composite character or Amer
iran nationality makes il difficult not
IN find some persons who will express
sympathy with the land of their birth.