The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-07
WORKS OPPOSES
WILSON'S ACTION
IN GERMAN CRISIS
u. s. Not Neutral in Past, Says
Californian.
Protests in Senate Against
Break With Germany.
PUBLIC PREPARED FOR WAR
Charges UnpatriOtic PrOpa-
ganda FavOring Conflict.
Leading Other Nations Into
Fray, Says Works.
PUBLIC PREPARED FOR WAR

washington, Feb declaring the
United States ''has not been neutral"
that Great Britain has persistently
violated rights of the United States to
the seas; that the United States has
borne these violations as if it had been
sn ally of Great Britain and Ger
many had no reason to feel friendly
toward the United States, Senator
John D. Works, California, Republi-
can today voiced the first opposition
heard in congress to the presidents
action in serving diplomatic relations
with Germany.
Admitting Germany had violated
the rights of American citizens on the
seas under international law, Works
said:
OF protest against this or any other
movement that tends towards war
with Germany for no greater cause
than has yet been given"
The address by Works came as
bolt from clear sky. The senate had
been expected to adopt without pro-
test Senator Stones resolution en-
dUrsing the break with Germany. Re-
publican leaders had Joined with
Democratic members in the senate in
Hedging their support to the presi-
dent.
First Step Toward War.
This is the first and long step to-
ward war with that country" said
seems almost inevitable, we are as
Stunning the fearful responsibility of
leading, not only our own country but
other nations now at peace, into the
most gigantic and murderouS war the
world has ever known.
f"The president has made the first
fatal move" added Works
THE president has been applauded
for making this first move toward
war"
~ It,, ~
for such a mad course by the un-
seemly and unpatTiotic propaganda in
favor of preparedness for war"
Works said that in order to deal
frankly with the situation I'VE must
search our own national conscience
and learn how far our own conduct
has gone to place us in the present
crisis"
Responsible for Lusitania.
The first and most cruel wrong
done to the right of American citizens
by the German government was sink
ing the Lusitania," said Works. And
it was a cruel and unjust wrong to
our people and to the nation. But II
the very time of this occurrence we
were supplying to the enemies of Ger
many arms and munitions of war to
enable them to carry on the war
against that country with whom we
were at peace.
1.-The Lusitania, a passenger ship,
DEATH
Works criticised the administration
'for permitting the Lusitania to sail
in view of the warning given, carrying
American citizens into the very jaws
of death" He said he questioned 1.-The
moral right of the United States to
tempt Germany TO sink the Lusitania.
This government cannot shield
itself from the fearful responsibility
it is bound to accept for this dreadful
tragedy" said Works.
Works credited President Wilson
with conscientious motives and pat
Tiotic purposes in all his actions" but
added:
with q profound sense of my own
responsibility as representative OF
the American people. I protest.
Works said the action of the pres
ident In stating in the Sussex note
that diplomatic relations will be sew
cred unless Germany abandoned her
method of submarine warfare was
''unwise."
I'VE had greater cause to sever oui
relations with Germany as the result
now" he added.
Keep Out of Danger Zone.
Z Works Justified C5ermany's method:
on the grounds that the rules of in
ternationnI law cannot stand in ease
of actual rfare.
lie quo STONED the presidents RICH
to sever relnticns with Germany
There is another and far bette
choice open to U.S." he said II 81,