Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-05
NEUTRALS BIDDEk
TO JOIN AMERICA
IN GERMAN BREAK
President Wilson Inistructs
Diplomats to Invite All Not
at War to Dissolve Dip
lomatic Relations.
NO OTHER CHOICE HERE
Close Neighbors of Teutons
May Hesitate at This
Actio a,
STILL TRYING FOR PEACE

-
Washington, Feb.\4.zRsides break
ing off diplomatic relations with Ger
many, President Wilson has made a
bold stroke to range the moral forces
of all other neutral countries along
with that of the United States in the
interest of peace.
The president has suggested to all
the other neutrals that they break off
diplomatic relations with Germany, as
the United States has done, and has
instructed all American diplomats in
those countries to report Immediately
how the suggestion is received. The
opinion in diplomatic quarters here is
that European neutrals at the very
doorstep of Germany, threatened by
its military power, will hesitate to
take such step. The effect Of the
suggestion in other countries is being
eagerly awaited. This was the only
known development of first import
ance which came out of day of tense
waiting which followed the actual an
nouncement yesterday.
First Cloud Dispelled.
News that the American steamer
Housatonic had not been sunk with
out proper warning and that no lives
had been lost dispelled cloud which
threatened the storm to follow the
first overt act against the United
States under the new war-zone order.
Still hopeful that Germany will not
ruthlessly sacrifice American lives or
rights, the administration is awaiting
developments, but leaving undone
nothing to prepare the country for the
eventualties of war.
The situation as to Austria is to-
night unchanged, There is no doubt.
however, that diplomatic relations will
be broken with her, when she ans
nounees her intention to adhere to
Germany's course.
The presidents invitation to neu-
trails to follow his action was con-
tanned in Instructions to American
diplomats to announce the break with
Germany to the governments to which
they are accredited. 1t was contained
in the following order:
No Choice for U. S.
"You will Immediately notify the
government to which you are ac-
credited that the United States, be-
cause of the German governments
recent announcement of its intention
to renew unrestricted submarine war;
fare. has no choice but to follow the
course laid down in its note of April
10, 1916. (The Sussex note)
at has therefore recalled the Ameri-
can ambassador from Berlin and has
delivered passports to the German
ambassador to the United States.
"Say also that the president is re-
luctant to believe Germany actually
will carry out her threat against nett
tral commerce, but il it be done the
president will ask congress to author
izc use Of the national power to pro-
tect American citizens engaged in
their peaceful and lawful errands on
the seas.
"The course taken is, in the presi-
dents view, entirely in conformity
with the principles he enunciated in
his address to the senate January II.
(The address proposing world
league for peace)
Still Hopes for Peace.
"He believes it will make for the
peace of the world if other neutral
powers can find it possible to take
similar action.
Report fully and Immediately on
the reception Of this announcement
and upon the suggestion as to similar
action"
Thus it becomes apparent that in
the shadow OF war the president has
, not abandoned his effrost for peace
and as the first step has moved to di-
rect the moral forces of the neutral
world to compel Germany's return to
an observance of international law at
sea.
The danger that broken diplomatic
relations between the United States
and Germany will develoo into a state
of war is by no means minimized by
President Wilson's course and neither
he nor other officials of the govern
ment are abating their preparations
for any eventuality.
Steps to protect American cities
frouti,,.d or Piazza Txvo roJuunu Eiv.N