Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-02-09
PRESIDENT BREAKS
WITH GERMANY
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS ARE
SEVERED AND KAISER GIVEN
WAR WARNING.
American Ambassador Recalled and
Teutons Given TO Understand
That Sacrifice Of American Lives
Means HostIIltIes.


washington. President Wilson has
broken of diplomatic relations with
Germany and warned tho kaiser that
ruthless sacrifice OF American lives
and rights means war.
Similar action is waiting for Austria
when she notifies this government
that she joins in the campaign Of un-
restricted submarine warfare
The president made formal an
nouncement of his action to the coun-
try and to the world on February 3
at q joint session of congress-.
Passports have been handed Count
Won Bernstorff; Ambassador Gerard,
with his staff, and all American con-
suls have been ordered out Of Ger
many. All German consuls In the
United States are expected 10 with,
draw that the severance OF relations
may be complete. American diplo-
matte interests in Berlin have been
turned over to Spain; German diplo-
matte interests in the United States
have been taken over by Switzerland.
Foreign diplomatic interests which
the United States had in charge in
Germany have been turned over to
various neutrals.
Two years OF diplomatic negotia-
ton, marked with frequent crises and
attended with the loss of more than
200 American lives on the high seas,
have eliminated with an act which In
all the history Of all the world has al
ways led to war Every agency OF
the American government has been
set In motion to protect the country
against acts Of German sympathizers.
These moves are Of necessity being
kept secret
With the notice OF severance OF dip
lomatic relations, the United States
sent to Berlin demand for the i'm
/ mediate release OF sixty-four Ameri-
cans taken from ships captured by
German raiders In the south Atlantic.
At the request Of the president, CON
gress, Immediately after hearing his
address. began work ON new laws
framed by the department Of justice
TO check conspiracies and plots against
the United States which cannot be
reached under existing statutes.
The question or conveying Amer
lean merchant ships through the sub
marine blockade has been taken up
and is being considered as one of the
next moves by this government.
The news Of the torpedoing Of the
American steamer Housatonic, coming
almost before President Wilson's
words In congress had died away, Gre
ated = tremendous sensation. but 1t
does not necessarily constitute such
an invasion OF American rights as the
president said he would meet by ask
ang congress for additional authority
to act
At 1880 o'clock Saturday morning
1t became known that Ambassador
Gerard had been ordered home and
that passports had been sent to Count
won Bernstorff. Although there was
no official confirmation OF the presi-
dents decision until he formally an
nounced It himself to congress, the
knowledge spread rapidly.
Count Won Bernstorff heard It un-
officially while talking with a press
correspondent. While apparently
deeply moved, he was not surprised
His first act was to ask DR.. Paul Rit
ter, the Swiss minister, to come tc
the German embassy and prepare tc
take over Its affairs. Then he in
formed his wife, an American borr
woman, Of the development and like
wise told the embassy staff. His
passports were not actually deliveret
until o'clock In the afternoon.
President Wilson kept himself Il
seclusion during the morning, excep
for brief conference with Secretary
Lansing, until he left the White
House for the capitol shortly before
2 o'clock.
AS usual a committee Of congress
men met the president and escorted
him to the speakers dais. The who'll
body rose and cheered as the pres
dent, acknowledging their greetin
without his usual smile. but grin
faced and solemn. took his place q
the clerks desk and began readin
! the document which is being hear
round the world"
! Briefly he reviewed how, last April
the United States warned German
after the destruction OF the SUISSE
that unless the imperial governmer
declared and effected an abandonment
of that sort of submarine warfare tn
United States would have no choic
! but to sever displornatic relations q
together Then he quoted from tn
German reply which gave assurance
. that no ships would be sunk withot
warning and provision for safety Q
passengers and crew. He recounte