The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, February 8, 1917, Page 1

. ; Che VOL..XXXIK i—i(‘i—~™S -XXXIX. Buller Weekly Cimes. Stagg BUTLER. U. S. BREAKS WITH GERMANY GERARD ORDERED HOME—BERNSTORFF GETS HIS PASSPORTS— JOINT SESSION HEARS PRESIDENT PLEAD FOR CONCERTED ACTION. MISSOURI'S TROOPS ARE READY STATE LEGISLATURES PASS RESOLUTIONS ENDORSING THE STAND OF PRESIDENT WILSON. Washington, Feb. 3.—Presi- dent Wilson this afternoon told a joint session of Congress of the breaking off of diplomatic rela- tions between the United States and Germany. The Senate had recessed and “feft the chamber in a body at 1:52 to go to the House for the joint session. Mr. Wilson’s ppearance before the Senators and Congressmen was marked by tension and ex- eitement: unequaled since the days immediately preceding the Spanish-American war. As the President started speak- ing diplomatic machinery was immediately set in motion to fa- eilitate the return to the United States of Ambassador Gerard from Berlin and to dispatch Ger- man Ambassador von Bernstorff ‘from this country. What was to follow this event- ful procedure rested with the future conduct of the Imperial Government. It might mean war within ‘a few weeks. It might shortly be followed by restoration of friend- ly relations should Germany by some action re-establish the con- fidence of this Government. Washington, D. C., Feb. 3.— following is President Wilson’s address to Congress, giving rea- sons for breaking diplomatic rela- tions with Germany : “Gentlemen of the Congress: ‘:e Jmperial German Govern- ment on the 31st of January an- nounced 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 secking to pass through certain designated areas of the high seas, to which it is clearly my duty to vall your attention. “Let me remind the congress of the 8th of April last, in view of the sinking on the 24th of March of the cross-channel pas- senger steamer Sussex by ‘a Ger- man submarine without sum- mons of warning, and the conse- quent loss of the lives of several citizens of the United States who were passengers aboard her, this Government addressed a ‘note to the Imperial Government, in which it made the following dec- jaration: <P it is still the purpose “of the Imperial Government to pros- ecute relentless and_ indiscrimi- nate warfare against vessels of eommerce by the use of submar- ines without regfrd to what the Government of the United States inust consider the sacred and in- disputable rules of international taw and the universally recog- nized dictates of humanity, the Government of the United States is at"last forced to the conclusion that there is but one course it can pursue. Unless the Imperial Government should now immed- vately declare and effect an = abandonment of its present meth- ods of submarine warfare against passenger and freight carrying vessels, the Government of the United States can have no choice but to sever diplomatic relations with the German Empire alto- gether.’ “In reply to the declaration the Imperial German Government gave this Government the follow- ing assurances : : “« “The German Government is prepared to do its utmost to con- fine the operations of war for the rest of its duration to the fight- ing forces of the belligerents, thereby also insuring the freedom of the seas, a principle. upon which the German Government believes now, as before, to be in agreement with the Government of the United States. “The German Government, guided by this idea, notifies the Government of theUnited States that the German naval forces have received the following or- ders: In accordance with the general principles of visit and search and destruction of merch- ant vessels recognized by inter- | national law, such vessels, both within and without the area de- clared a naval war zone, shall not be sunk without warning and! without saving human lives, un-! less these ships attempt to escape or offer resistance, “*But,’ it added, ‘neutrals can’t expect that Germany, forced | to fight for her existence, shall for the sake of a neutral interest, restrict the use of an effective weapon if her enemy is per- mitted to continue to apply at will methods of warfare violating the rules of interna- tional law. Such a demand would be incompatable with the character of neutrality, and the German Government is convinced that the Government of the Unit- ed States does not think of mak- ing such a demand, knowing that the Government of the United States has repeatedly declared that it is determined to restore the principles of the freedom of | the seas, from whatever quarter it has been violated. To this the Government of the United States replied, on May 8, accepting, of course, the assurance given, but adding: _ The Government of the Unit-; -}ed States feels it neccessary to state that it takes it for granted that the Imperial German Govern- ment does not intend to imply that the maintenance of its new- ly announced policy is in any way contingent upon the course or re- sult of diplomatic negotiations between the Government of the United States and any other bel- ligerent Government, standing the passages in the Imperial Govern- ment’s note of the 4th inst. might appear to be susceptible to that construction: --In-order; ‘however, to avoid any misunderstanding, the Government of the United States notifies the Imperial Gov- ernment that it cannot for a mo- ment entertain, much less discuss, a suggestion that respect by Ger- man naval authorities for the rights of citizens of the United States upon the high seas should in any or in the slightest degree be made contingent upon the con- duct of any other Government, affecting the rights of neutrals and noncombatants. Responsi- bility in such matters is single, not joint, absolute, not relative.’’ To this note of May 8 the Im- perial German Government made no reply. On January 31, the. Wednesday | of the present week, the German Ambassador handed too the Sec- retary of Staté, along with a for- mal note, a memorandum which contained the following state- ment: “The Imperial Government, therefore, does not doubt that the Government of the United States will understand the situation notwith- | fact that certain} ‘|man Government. thus foreed upon Germany by the. Entente Allies’ brutal methods of war and by their determina- tion to destroy the Central Pow- ers, and that the Government of the United States will further re- alize that the openly/diselosed in- tention of the “Entente Allies gives back to Germany the free- dom of action which she reserved in her note addressed to the Gov- ernment of the United States on May 4, 1916. “Under the circumstances Ger- many will meet the illegal ‘meas- ures of her enemies by forcibly , preventing after February 1,]: ' 1917, in a zone around Great Brit- ain, France, Italy and the East- ern Mediterranean, all naviga- tion, that of neutrals included, from and to England and from and to France, ete. Al! ships met. within the zone will be sunk,’ : I think that you will agree with me that, in view of this dec- laration -which suddenly and without prior intimation of any kind deliberately withdraws sol- emn assurance given in the Im- perial Government’s note of the 4th of May, 1916, this Govern- |ment has no alternative consist- ent with the dignity and honor of the United States but to take the course which, in its note of the 18th of April, 1916, it announced that it would take in the event that the German Government did jnot declare and effect an aban- donment of the methods of sub- }marine warfare which it was | then employing and to which it |now purposes again to resort. I have, therefore, directed the Secretary of State to announce to his Excellency, the German Am- jbassador, that all diplomatic re- lations between the United States and the German Empire are sev- ered and that the American Am- bassador at Berlin will immedi- ately be withdrawn; and, in ac- cordance with this decision, to hand to his Excellency his pas:- ports. Notwithstanding this un- expected action of the German Government, this sudden and deeply deplorable renunciation of its assurances, given this Gov- ernment at one of the most criti- cal moments of tension in the re- lations of the two Governments, [ refuse to believe that it is the in- tention of the German authorities to do in fact what they have warned -us- they -will-feel-at-tiber- ty to do. I cannot bring myself to believe that they will indeed pay no regard to the ancient friendship between their people and our own or to the solemn ob- ligations which have been ex- changed between them and de- stroy American ships and _ take. the lives of American citizens in the willful prosecution of the tuthless naval program they have announced their intention to adopt. Only actual overt acts on their part can make me believe it even now. Tf this inveterate confidence on my part-in the sobriety and pru- dent foresight of their purpose should unhappily prove unfound- ed; if American ships and Amer- ican lives should in fact be sacri- ficed by their naval commanders in heedless contravention of the just and reasonable understand- ings of international law, and the obvious dictates of humanity, I shall take the liberty of coming before the Congress to ask that authority be given me to use any means that may be necessary for URI, THURS! FEBRUARY &, 19 the protection of our seamen and our people in the prosecution of their peaceful and legitimate er- rands on the high seas. 1 can do nothing less. I take it for grant- ed that all neutral Governments will take the same course. We do not desire any hostile conflict with the Imperial Ger- ) We are the sincere friends of the German people and earnestly desire to re- main at peace with the (overn- rment which speaks for them.. We shall not believe that they are ‘hostile to us unless and until we are obliged to believe it; and we purpose nothing more than the reasonable defense of the un- doubted rights of our people. We wish to serve no selfish ends, We seek merely to stand true alike in thought and action to the immemorial principles of our peo- ple, which I have sought to ex- press in my address to the Sen- ate only two weeks ago—seek mercly to vindicate our right to iberty and justice and an unmo- lested life. These are the «bases of peace, not war. God grant that we may not be challenged to defend them by acts of willful in- justice on, the part of the Gov- ernment. of Germany. Interned Liner Dismantled. New York, Feb. 3:—The_ ima- chinery of the giant liner Vater- land of the Hamburg-American line now tied up in Hoboken, has been dismantled in the last 24 hours, according to two members of the crew. The work was perpetrated un- der the eyes of members of the neutrality squad. patrolling the vier night and day since the re- ceipt of the German U-boat note. Members of the crew were kept aboard the Vaterland for 24 hours while the machinery was placed in such a condition that spenths of work could not repair the damage. None-was allowed shore leave during that time. That part of the machinery not destroyed was thrown overboard. It sank in the mud where it ean not be recovered. Tried to Sink U. 8S. Warship. Philadelphia, Feb.. 3.—Accord- ing to a report at the Philadel- phia Navy Yarg no attempt was made today to sink the torpedo hoat Jacob Jones, A man on the boat, said to be a machinists’ mate, is alleged to have opened the sea cocks and as the boat was being towed into her jdock at the yard the vessel was seen to list. Investigation by of- ficers revealed that the sea cocks were open. When. the finally vessel was |docked there was two feet of water in the hold. The chief ma- chinists’ mate was arrested and placed in irons, it was said. Guard Panama Canal. Washington, Feb. 2.—Because of the possibilities of danger from the present international situation, army officials have tak- en steps for extra prec aution at the Panama Canal. Stronger watches have been placed over the locks since Tues- day, lest there be some attempt to damage them, and thus make the whole canal system useless. Special care is being taken throughout the country to guard against any German plotting, and seeret service men are keeping tabs on any possible conspiracies. Asks 6 Missouri Batteries. Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 4.—Or- ders to recruit immediately three additional batteries of field ar- tillery were sent out today by Brig. Gen. Harvey C. Clark, com- manding the Missouri National Guard, Capt. Arthur J. Elliott of B Battery here, will start recruit- ing tomorow morning, he an- nounced. The batteries will be recruited to full peace strength of 126 men each. : Missouri’s ‘Field Artillery strength now consists of three batteries, or one battalion. These batteries are located at St. Louis, Independence and Kansas City. Von Bernstorff in Tears. Washington, Feb. 3.—Count Von Bernstorff apparently was Nieto, > egy ie Soo, ey much affeeted by the break in re- lations with Germany. When the information came to him his eyes moistened and he said, ‘‘I’m so sorry. However, I have expected it. There was nothing else left for the United States to do. I wonder how I am to get home. **Are you sure Well, maybe that is right. No, I have no com- ment to make and nothing to say.” Washington, Feb. 3.—Seven- teen bills giving the president of the United States wide power to deal with all possible attacks up- on the domestic peace of the country, were drawn-up —by a subcommittee of the senate judi- ciary committee this afternoon. They will be presented in the same day and it is expected prompt action will be obtained. They deal with every phase of disorders, bomb plots and other disturbances. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 8.— President Wilson was unanimous- ly pledged the support of Indi- tives today. A committee of five, including the Democratic and Re- publican floor leaders, was ap- the president after the break with Germany was announced. Boise, . Idaho, Feb. to the nation in the present crisis. The resolution directs the gov- ernor to so inform the puddvne Washington, D. C., Feb. 1— The. annual fortifications bil earrying $51,000,000, passed by the House Monday, Senate today usual objections to the in the brief debate, the only gen- ators who suggested chaiges ex- pressing concern as to the amount would be sufficient in view of thesituation with Ger- many, 1 The agricultural bill, the sixth of the big annual supply meas- ures to come over from the House, was favorably reported from committee today and will be debated tomorrow New York, Feb. 3. National Guard of New York state and the navy militia were ordered out tonight by Governor Whitman, aftera conference with Major General John F. O’Ryan. General O’Ryan was directed to have every arsenal, armory and water shed — adequately guarded by the militiamen and Commodore Forshew of the naval militia was ordered to protect ell bridges. -The entire Col. Theodore Roosevelt Sadly pledged himself in support of President Wilson in upholding the honor of the United States. He offered his own and the lives of his four sons to the country in case hostilities are not averted. decision has been reached — offi- Giiliyy there is “a “very “decided sentiment in all official quarters to abandon the public ceremonies of inauguration on Mareh 5 and simply have the President take the oath of office in the White House on Sunday, March 4. The army and navy reception at the White House probably will be abandoned, American Ship Torpedoed. London, February = 3.—The American steamer - Housatonic has been sunk by a German sub- marine off the Scilly Islands. All of the officers and crew were saved by a British steamer. The Housatonic was warned and the crew removed before the vessel was sunk and as the cargo was contraband there will be no complications over the sinking. The Housatonic sailed from Galveston on January 6 and from Newport News on January 16 for London. The Housatonic former- ly was the Hamburg-American line steamer Georgia and Ameri- can registry was granted her in ’”| Housatonic “jin 1890. ana by the house of representa- pointed to convey this pledge to 3.--Both houses of the Idaho legislature to- day passed a concurrent resolu- tion pledging the support of the entire state and all its resources passed the unamended, — The NUMBER 17 April, 1915. Prior to that fime she had been laid up at New Or- leans since the beginning of the war, It was then announced that the vessel had been bought on March 29 for $85,000 by the Steamship Company, of which Edward F. Geer of New Orleans was president. The Housatonic was 3143 tons gross and was built in Glasgow She was 238 feet long, 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Philadelphia, Pa., February 3. —The German auxilliary cruisers Kron Prinz Wilhelm and Prince Kitel Frederich, interned at the Philadelphia navy yard, were seized by order of the Navy De- partment early tonight and their crews imprisoned in an isolation barracks. Drainage Case Reversed, Friday, February 2, 1917, the United States Court of Appeals at St. Panl, Minnesota, rendered a decision reversing the.+ judg- ment of the United States district court in the case of Wills & Sons against Bates county. The ‘case is a drainage ditch case and grew out of an assign- ment of an account of Foohey & Sons, drainage ditch contractors, to Wills & Sons. The ease has had one or two trials’ before the United States courts, the last one being in De- ecember, 1913, before Judge Van Valkenburg and a jury, which re- sulted in a judgment against Bates county for $31,000. A writ of error was sued out to the with above result. Wills & Sons were’ represent- ed by Frank Lane, of Kansas City. William Mumford, of Pitts field, Mlinois, and Judson & large coast def@nse items were lacking whether Oyster Bay, N. Y., Feb, 3.—/ Washington, Feb. 3.—While no}! Green, of St. Louis, Bates coun- ty was represented hy Thomas J. Smith, of this city, and Frank Hagerman, of Kansas City. Indiana Goes Dry. Indianapolis, Feb. 2.—Amid the joyous tumult and cheering of frantic ‘‘dry’? advocates, who early packed the senate chamber and filled the lobby of the state- house despite the cold weather, the Statewide Prohibition Bill ed ‘of to 11 today. The measure pas: the house last week by a vote 78 to 28. Notice of Township Convention. Summit convention house> on The Democrats — of township will hold a at the Summit sehool Saturday, February 24th, 1917, at 10 o'clock a. m. for the pur- pose of nominating a township ticked. 17cie . MILLER, Tow sida é ommitteeman. |PoR 1,000 SUBMARINES A DAY Ford Says His Plant Could Turn Out 3,000 Motors, Too. 5.—Henry Washington, Feb. Ford is here, Mrs. Ford, to attend a dinner given by Secretary Daniels. **T cannot believe that war will come,”” Mr, Ford said. ‘* But if it does, then it is our duty and the duty of every man to help all he can and not to make money out of the distress of this coun- try. I am ready to do my share. I can build one thousand — small submarines and three thousand motors a day and I stand ready to do that or any needed proportion of it without profit.” The submarine of which Mr. Ford’ speaks is a small one of not more than eighteen or twen- ty feet length, and operated by one man. He feels sure the Ger- mans have such vessels in opera- tion and he believes they will be the best defense this country can have. , ; Detroit, Feb. 5.—The Ford Mo- tor Company plant, largest in the world, has on its payroll about forty-two thousand men and wo- mey, and the estimated value of the Ford Company at the lowest is 100 million dollars. Should the entire plant be turned into a mu- nition factory, it undoubtedly would have the largest output of any single factory in the world. United States court of appeals - passed the senate by a vote of 38 | accompanied — by. ga a.