The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-03
q. s. Takes Step Ordinarily
Meaning "War Declared"
Hand German Ambassador Won
BernstOrff His Passport.
CALL HOME U. S. AMBASSADOR
President Gives Details in Adj
dress to Congress Today.
Break With Austria Hungary
Also Anticipated.
but IT MAY NOT MEAN WAR
but 1T MAY NOT MEAN WAR
German Population i'm America
Not Yet Affected.
q. s. Privileged to Seize s. In
termed German Ships.
The State Journal Postscript
Edition out at 5 o'clock will con-
tain the latest news of the Unit
ed States break with Germany.

Washington, Feb. 3.-Diplomatic re-
lations between the United States and
Germany are severed.
German Ambassador Won Bernstorff
was handed his passports at :57 this
afternoon.
A few moments later President Will
son appeared before joint session OF
the house and senate, informed con-
gress of the action that had been TAX
en- and, looking toward the future.
said:
"If American ships and American
lives should in fact be sacrificed :.
in needless contravention of the just
and reasonable understanding of in
ternational law and the obvious die
tates of humanity, L shall take the lib
erty of coming again before congress
to ask that authority be given me to
use any means that may be necessary
for the protection of our seamen and
our people in the prosecution of their
peaceful and legitimate errands on the
high sea. I can do nothing less.
take for granted that all neutral gov
ernments will take the same course
Speed Up War Machinery.
Immediately all the machinery of
the government was set in motion to
safeguard the national interests and
further prepare the country for the
unprecedented and momentous situa-
ton in which it now finds itself.
Secretary Daniels issued an order
barring all but officers and men from
naval yards, ships and stations. Or
ders to safeguard American ports were
issued thru the treasury department
to customs collectors and the coast
guard service.
Not unmindful of the possibility of
disturbances by German sympathizers,
officials said steps had been taken h,
meet the situation.
Just at the time when the decision
to break became known Lansing went
over to the White House and had q
brief conference with the president
He too would give no further than
Tumulty's brief announcement that
the president would address a. Joint
session Of congress this afternoon.
News Breaks Like ThunderboIt
At the capitol news of the presi-
dents decision came like a thunder
clap. Everywhere there were express
sions of support and appreciation.
Administration leaders in the senate
who had talked with the president last
night were not surprised, but were
deeply moved by the climax. One of
the first to hear the news was Senator
Lodge or Massachusetts. Republican,
of the foreign relations committee.
"Can that be true?' he fairly
shouted. IT did not believe the presi-
dent would do it. / thought there
would be another note. I'm with
him. the senator eInphatically de-
clared, pounding his desk after a mo-
ments hesitation. Now, we'd better
see to it that our marines prevent the
disrnantling OF any more German ships
in our harbors.''
Vice President Marshall notified to
arrange for q joint session of con-
gress said: TT is sincerely to be hoped
that this necessary break will not drag
the United States into war. There are
limits. however, to endurance beyond
which no self respecting nation can
go. This government can-ot permit
the defiance of all law of eivi1izat ton
by any nation to pass unchallenged.'
Tiilrnan Eifrfolic.
Senator Tillrnan, chairman of the
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