The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04

President reading slowly and distinctly. The assembage of senators. representa- tives and notables about him., listened with closest attention to words which may record one of the sombre moments of American history if not indeed of the world
 Briefly, he reviewed how last April the United States warned Germany, after the destruction of the Sussex, that unless the imperial government declared and effected an abandonment of that sort Of submarine warfare the United States would have no choice but to sever diplo- matic relations. Then he quoted from the German reply which gave assurances that no ships would be sunk without warning and provision for safety of pas sengers and crew. He recounted the pro- vision which the German government att tached, which in effect reserved to itself the right to recant it's promises if the United States did not secure relaxation of the British restraints on commerce, and then quoted from the reply of the United States which refused to consider a conditional pledge and gave Germany final warning that it could not entertain or discuss any such suggestion.
 DID NOT RECOUNT
 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 he 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 Won Bernstorff and recall to MT. Gerard, the assemblage broke into a cheer in which republicans and democrats alike joined. More ap- plause greeted his declaration that only an overt act could convince him that Germany intended to violate American lives and rights, and there was pro- longed applause and cheering when he concluded by announcing that should American ships and lives be sacrificed fin needless contravention of the just and reasonable understanding of interna- tional law and the obvious dictates of humanity" he would again appear be- fore Congress and ask authority to use any means that may be accessory for the protection of our seamen and our peo- ple."
 As he concluded there were cheers of approval from both sides of the chamber, and the President returned to the White House to discuss measures of precaution with Secretary Daniels of the Navy and Secretary Baker of the war department
 There were expressions of support and approval or the FreSluenIS course as the joint session dissolved and both houses went back to their work.
 Soon after Count Won Bernstorff's pass ports arrived, United States secret service men threw a guard about the ambassador and his suite to make certain that the hospitality of the United States Is not violated while he remains on American soil. The status of Count TarnowsSi, the Austrian ambassador. was undecided al- though he called at the state department to arrange for presenting his credentials to President Wilson.
 For months, ever since relations with Germany became acute, there have been ominus signs of threatened activities of German sympathizers and dsloyal Amer jeans if diplomatic relations were broken off. The administration has not been un- mindful of these. Various branches of the government have informed themselves on the subject far more completely than might be thought. Officials express them selves as satisfied that they will be able to cope with the situation. In the army and navy and in the citizenship generally officials realize that the composite char acter of American nationality makes 1t difficult not to find some persons who will express sympathy with the land of their birth.
 The attempt to sink the torpedo boat Jacob Jones at Philadelphia today is rec ognized as an instance of some of tn things which may be expected, but on the whole all the agencies of the govern ment believed they have made prepara- tions to meet such exigencies or are pre- pared to meet them as they arise.