The Washington herald., 1917-02-01
Sussex Ultinatum Said Continued Sea
Warfare Would Mean Breaking
OF Friendly Relations.
CAPITAL OFFICIALS STUNNED
Break Would Not Necessarily Mean War
With u. S., But Possibly Would
Lead to 1t.

The United States last nigh brought the verge of dpo-
matte break with Germany by the delivery of Secretary
State Lansing announcing the intention of Germany do away
with all restrictions the of submarines the high
On the heels Of President Wilson's efforts bring about peace
Europe and the support heretofore given those efforts by Germany
the note stunned official Washington
In the face of the declaration of the United States nearly year
ago that relentless submarine warfare would force country to
sever all diplomatic relations with Germany the accepted
as making break imminent
WOULDN'T NECESSARILY MEAN WAR
But pointed out that break diplomatic relation, would
not necessarily be followed by between the
The German note a reply President Wilson'S world peace
program outlined his speech the Senate delivered
formally to Ambassador Gerard Berlin But late yesterday after
Count Berno the German Ambassador called at the
State Department and delivered Secretary of State Lansing
translation of the communication The Ambassador was with the
Secretary but few moments and he left the department hur-
ned apparently worried and shaking his head mpaen all
quesioners.
LANSING CONCERNED AND ANXIOUS
few later Secretary Lansing left the department apparently
concerned and anxious He declined receive and through
his secretary announced that he could discuss the
Before he left the department he German
note President Wilson The latter Immediately cancelled all nssem
and hurried from the White the White House
proper There last night he studied document
cloud of deepest anxiety settled the White House State
Department last night The President and his advisers apparently
on with the rroblem which European has
presented pointed out thai the President probably
eide of action without the before
net.
The Cabinet will regular until but if
believed possible that the President might
House time likewise pointed that the President nearly
promised Congressional leaders that he would
with European relating
consulting them believed that before
President will call mai.
before them.
TWO POSSIBLE COURSES OPEN
Washington last night possible diplomatic courses open to the
Ambassador Gerard might be recalled from Berlin,
dor Bentorf handed his this breaking off all diplomatic
relations between the That this likely
apparent in that the recall Gerard had
been forwarded Berlin These promptly
The United States might itself for the present with diplomatic
the relentless submarine warfare outlined by
her and memorandum This
sued when the first war of the German
early in the
Nearly year ago. Sussex United
States delivered umum the of the Of 1t
then stated that relentless and dscrmnate warfare merchant ships
would force this country break with Germany At that Germany
agreed the submarines Yesterdays only
all but directs the submarine
well begerent merchant ships prescr barred
and orders all ships penalty of sinking
Of that
An exception the American week. proceed by
stated Falmouth England made There question
o