White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1917-02-09
WILSON ADDRESSES
CONGRESS ON CRISIS
DIPLOMATS OF ALL COUNTRIES
EXCEPT GERMANY, CROWD
TO HEAR PRESIDENT.
TELLS WHY BREAK HAD COME
Germany's Declaration for Unrestrict-
ed Submarine Warfare From LIST
of Feb, After Promise Not to
do SO, Brought Action.

Observation-Disclosures was an unus
ual attendance of diplomats to hear
the presidents address to congress
Saturday. Practically all the South
Americas were represented and many
other neutrals.
The gravity of the occasion was
further pictured by the presence OF
the justices of the supreme court
and members of the cabinet upon the
! floor.
AS usual committee, representing
both houses, escorted the president
to the speakers dais, during which
the assemblage arose. Then the
throng burst into cheering and hand.
clapping as the president, his face
set and without the suggestion of a
smile, bowed and began reading his
address very slowly.
Silence in Room.
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 un-
restricted submarine warfare after
February /.
Then the assemblage burst into ap-
plause in which democrats and repub-
licans Joined when the president de-
clared he had directed the secretary
of state to announce ito his excel
lency. the German ambassador, that
all diplomatic relations between the
United States and the German en-
pire are severed"
Again the congress and galleries
cheered when the president declared
he could not believe that Germany
would not regard her obligations and
intended to destroy American ships
and take the lives of American citi-
zens."
Louder and more widespread cheer
the president would come to congress
again and ask authority to "use any
means that may be necessary for the
protection of our seamen and our
people" should American ships and
American lives" be sacrificed II
"heedless contravention of the just
and reasonable understanding of in
ternational law and the obvious die
tates of humanity"
When the president concluded con
gress rose again and cheered and
remained standing while he left the
chamber
| While the president was addressing
congress, Law Adviser Woolsey Of
the state department was at the
German embassy with communica
ton for Count Won Bernstorff, which
contained passports for the ambas
sador, his wife, the embassy staff
and his suite, which comprised more
than a hundred persons.
Germany Releases Americans.
Berlin.-Germany on Sunday acced
ed to the American demand for the
immediate release of the 72 Ameri'
cans taken from ships sunk by the
raider in the Atlantic and brought to
German port aboard the steamer
| Yarowdale.
Wilson Warns for Care.
The American government, it was
stated officially, will be very careful
to see that Germany and all other for
eign governments will have no just
cause for complaint.
General instructions have been is
sued to federal government officials
in all parts of the country to avoid
hasty action and do nothing not strict
| ly legal and within the province Of the
government.
The government, it was pointed out
has no legal right to take over war.
bound merchant ships in American
harbors.
Strict legal right must be the basis
for the conduct Of ALI federal officers
under the announced policy of the
government.
So matter what other nations may
do in the present emergency, it was
stated, the United States will adhere
strictly to the law and do nothing
under stress of excitement which it
would not be legal to do in ordinary
times.
The president himself, it was stated,
is moving without panic or haste, and
expects all subordinate officers of the
government to do likewise. If war
comes, he wants no possible blame at
tached to the American government or
any Of its officials or people.
AUSTRIAN FREIGHTER WRECKED