Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-07
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
WITH GERMANY BROKEN
American Ambassador Gerard Has
been Recalled From Berlin.
AMBASSADOR RERNSTORFF
HANDED HIS PASSPORTS
The Nation is Behind President WI
son In His Move Severing Re-
lations With Germany.

ance of diplomatic relations with
Germany was formally announced to
the country and the world by Presi-
dent Wilson at a joint session Of
congress Saturday at 2 o'clock.
The. United States now stands on
the verge of war, with all the his
toric precedent of centuries pressing
it forward.
Fervently invoking the guidance
of Almighty God in the step he has
taken the president detailed to the
congress why the United States
could not continue relations with d
warning power which repeatedly in-
vades it's sacred rights and takes the
lives of it's citizens. n
Calm, with sense of right in
what may prove the most sombre
moment of American history, the
president spoke the, words which
may carry the country into the
world conflict, not for aggression
and for power; only for law and
humanity.
Silent and attentive, the grim
company of the nations Lawmakers
listened while President Wilson told
of Americas course in the now un~
successful diplomatic struggle to
dissuade Germany from her ca1n
Iaign Of ruthlessness.
All Hope Not Lost.
In conclusion of his address
President Wilson declared he could
rot even believe that Germany in
tends any overt acts against Ameri-
can citizens but that ii overt acts are
Forthcoming he will again come be-
fore congress TO aslE authority "ta
use any means that may be necessary
for the protection of our seamen and
our people" All neutral govern
ments, he believes, will take the
same course.
I'VE wish to serve no selfish
ends" the president stated I'VE
seek merely to stand true alike in
thought and in action to the immem-
crial principles of our people, seek
merely to yindicate our right to
liberty and justice and an unmolest-
ed life. These are the basis OF peace.
not war. God grant that we may not
beschallenged to defend them by acts
Of wilful injustice ON the part of the
government of Germany"
American Ambassador Gerard
has been recalled from Berlin, and
German Ambassador Won Bernstorff
has been handed his passports and
invited to go home.
Breaking off of diplomatic rela-
tions with Germany does not mean
var. but easily may lead to war. 1t
Is an act Of protest characterized in
the usage Of nations as measure
short of war;"
The danger that war may follow
is accentuated by the diplomatic his
tory of the world. Modern times
show no instance of a diplomatic
break between two first class powers
that has not been followed by hostili-
ties.
German cOnsuls in the United
States and American consuls in Ger
man holding their places by virtue
OF treaties continue to perform their
Usual functions, but they no longer
work under supervision of diplo.
matte officers.
The Imperial German govern.
ment on the thirty-first day of jan
uary announced to this government.
and to the governments of the other
neutral nations that on and after the
first day of February, the present
month, it would adopt a policy with
regard to the use of submarines
against all shipping seeking to pass
through certain designated areas ol
the high seas.
The first knowledge here of the
above was sent Thursday in a tele-
gram from New York by Ben Bear.
who is in New York buying goods
Mr.. Bears telegram to his brother
Edward read as follows:
Great excitement, here. Break
with Germany almost certain. papers
say. President Wilson is preparing
his ultimatum and, warns Germany
new sea order-means break. PORT
of New York closed tonight. Nc
passports are being issued. which
means Americans are kept off the
high seas pending developments
lsituation very serious" ~
ga