BERNSTORFF HANDED HIS PASSPORTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2995, 5 February 1917, Page 5

BERNSTORFF HANDED HIS PASSPORTS

PRESIDENT WILSON ACTS TWO NATIONS ON TIE BRINK OF WAR By T«l€Braph-Pr(iss AsEociatlon-Oopyrisit i (Extraordinary.) (JRec. February 3, 10.40 p.m.) ■ . ~. . ~. ... Washington, February 3. -Count Berhslorfl, German Ambassador to the United States, has been sanded his passports. , . ~ . ~.... Mf. Cerard, United states Minister, at Berlin, has been ordered home. (Rec. • February '4, 11.15 p.m.)' Washington, February 3. Count Bernstorff was handed his passports at 2 p.m., and simultaneously President Wilson commenced his speech in Congress. Ho invoked 1 tho guidance of. the Almigthy in the step he had taken, and detailed the reasons why America could not continue relations with a warring Power which had repeatedly .invaded their sacred rights and taken tho lives of their citizens. He recited the various Notes that had passed between tho United States and Ger-' many, and the promise giyea after thesinking of the Sussex, and continued: "I. think you will agree with me that in view of this week's declaration, which suddenly withdraws the Eolcmn assurances given in the German Note of May 4,.this Government ]ias no alternative consistent with the dignity and honour or America, but to take tho course which, in one Note relating to the Sussex I announced we would take in the event of Gerniany not abandoning the methods of submarine warfaro sho was then employing, and to which she now proposes to resort:, I have directed the Secretary of State to announce to the German Ambassador that air diplomatic relations between America, and Germany are severed, and that the' American Ambassador at Berlin will be immediately withdrawn. Notwithstanding this -unexpected action by Germany, 'thiis sudden and deeply deplorable renunciation of its assurances, given in a critical moment of tension, I refuse to bolieve that it is the intention of the' German authorities to do in fact Iv ha-t they warn ws they feel at. liberty to do: ;I.cannot indeed bring myself to believe that they will pay no regard to-the- ancient friendship between their people and ours, to'the solemn obligations exchanged. Only actual oveit acts on their r>art can make nie believe it. If this confidence on my part should unhappily prove unfounded, and'■• American ships and lives be sacrificed in heedless contravention of our. just and reasonable understanding of international laws and' the obvious dictates of humanity, if such overt acts be forthcoming, I will conio again to Congress and ask. authority io use any moans that may ho necessary for the protection of our seameii and people. We don't desire a hostile conflict witlr*the German Government. We are sincere friends of the German people, and earnestly desire to remain at poaca with a Government which speaks for them." All neutral Governments, ho believed, would take the eamo course. The President concluded: "We seek merely to stand true alike in thought and action to tho immemorial principles of our people. Wo seek merely to vindicate our rights to liberty, justice, and an unmolested life on these bases of peace—not war. God grant wo may npt he challenged to defend them by acts of wilful * injustice on the part of the German Government." ■ The crowded Chamber cheered President Wilson's speech. There was a great burst of applauso and waving of handkerchiefs when he announced the break of relations.—Renter. j Prior to his statement"in Congress President Wilson conferred with Cabinet and the Foreign Relations Committee. Individual Senators convinced him.of their loyal support, whatever happened. The majority of the Senators favoured the'breaking off of relations. Instructions have been issued: to Mr. Gerard' (United States' Minister afc Berlin) to-close the Embassy and hII the American Consulates in Germany All officials are coming home. Spain will attend to American diplomatic interests in Berlin, while Germany will be represented at Washington by Switzerland. _■•■■■' .. Senator Thomas has introduced a B ill for the issue of Treasury notes for naval and military preparedness. Tho amount totals £100,000,000 —Aus - N.Z. Cable Assn. '

COUNT BERNSTORFF INTERVIEWED (Rco, February A, 5.5 p.m.) . t . . , Washington, February 3. uranfc Berastorfr, in an interview, said : I am bo sorry. However, I expected it. There was nothing else loft for the United States to do. I woiider how I am going to get home. My Government will not be surprised l and neither will the people in Berlin. They knew what was bound to happen if they took the action they have taken. However, I have simply been here to carry out tho orders of my Government." When the pressmen called at Count Bernstorff's office they were received cordially. Ho was outwardly unmov cd, and greeted them with a smilingly "Good morning, boys." Questioned as to his intentions, ho replied: "I do not know. This ia my first experience of.this kind." He added, with a. laugh: "There are several ships in American ports, and doubtless I will find one to take me home." Count Bernstorff says he has been authorised to arrange for a. passage by any American ship sailing without contraband, through the safety line to Falmouth. Ho now explains that Germany stipulated for one ship each week; because it was understood that only four American passenger ships were plying to England. America could increase that number. The State Departmentis now issuing passporta for those leaving for Europe. The German Embassy officials have begun their packing. All agree that the first Ameri* cjMi life lost through the new submarine war will bring the crash.—Aus.-N-.Z. Cable 'Asra. FEELING IN AMERICA SPECIAL WATCH ON GERMAN PLOTTERS (R-ec. February '4, 5.5 p.m.) • . . New York, February 3. The announcement tha't America. Had decided to sever diplomatic relations with 6ern!a3iy_ was received with, countrywide.enthusiasm. The feeling is one of general belief that America's honour is to be vindicated, at' Tvhaterer-cost.

The public's demeanour in the streets' of New York is one of restrained excitement. The people realise that tlm Government has taken a. most important decision. The absence of largo groups and crowds in the. streets is otyiug to tho prevailing intense cold. " All steps havo been, taken by tho police 1.0 prevent unlawful acts by Germans. Police guards havo been placed at railway bridges and aqueducts, and a special watch is maintained on the rendezvous of known German plotters. A special force oE two thousand constabulary is ready for any emergency. Although tho Germans at New London fired tho stored cargo, which was intended for the Deutschland, tlio flames were quickly extinguished.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn, GERMAN STOCK-RIGGERS FOILED PATRIOTIC COUP, BY, LOYAL FINANCIERS. (Ilec. February <1, 5.5 p.m.) v 1 - Washington, February 3. Tumultuous enthusiasm was followed hy a great demonstration on the Stock Exchange. German financiers who had teen dealing on the market endeavoured to force a panic, and began a. wild rush to short-sell, expecting prices to drop below records, hut their plans met with complete defeat. The Americans immediately held a. series of hurried meetings, and Wall Street used its tremendous resources in a. patriotic move to prevent tho panic. Following a prearranged plan they eagerly bought all the Gorman offerings, with the result that they not only checked the panic, but the market closed firm, a't buoyant rates. The brokers then made a most remarkable demonstration, waving the Stars and Stripes, cheering, and singing again and again, "The Star Spangled Banner."—Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Assn. GERMAN PLOTS TO SINK INTERNED LINERS . HAUSATONIC SENT TO THE BOTTOM. New York, February 2. An order was given to the captains of interned ships to destroy their papers and cripple the machinery. The officials foiled the plan. The interned vessels at New York, including Hoboken, total thirty, aggregating 303,600 tons. Precautions against the scuttling of the vessels have been taken at all ports. A. torpedo boat watched the entrance to New York after nightfall. Marine rates havo doubled, and the companies refuse to quote beyond February 4.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, (Rec. February 4, 5.5 p.m.). New York, February 3. The American steamer Hausatonic has been sunk. The German crews refused to allow the Customs officers and other officials to go below. Count Bernstorff is believed to be behind their refusal, it is believed that the Germans have been secretly preparing to blow up all their inlerned ships, which aro worth many millions. The "Providence Journal" states that five of Germany's finest vessels were found ready at New York for a dash out to sea, but the plot failed. All tho interned ships aro said to have specially prepared- appliances at hand ready to destroy the machinery.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INTERNED PRIZE APPAM SEIZED. .(Rec. February 4, 5.5 p.m.) New York, February 3. American officials seized the Appjm,—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. [The --Appam was a British steamer which- was captured by the raider Moewe and sent to Newport News under a German prizo crew. On arrival she was interned by, the United States authorities.] (Rec. February 4, 11.45 p.m.) tp j• i • cii tt N OW York, February 3. h t j,n 1» K s . of -n S a l ,sal °nic be true there has alreadv gravity?— Router to tllG sifcuation the ,ast de S rce of , (Rcc. February 4, 11,45 p.m.) ' ' , , - Washington, February 3. special precautions have been adopted to guard the "White House and protect President Wilson and Mr. Lansing. Orders have been issued td man the battle-cruisers. The entire National Guard of New York Stats and also the naval and military have been called out as protective measures. —Renter, IS AMERICA'S NAVY READY? (Rec. February 3, 5.30 p.m.) . New York, February 2 Navy yard officers say that there are ouly four American destroyers and two submarines in fighting trim here. TJio American Atlantic Fleet, is at present at Cuba, the strategic base for coast defence, but useless asainst U-boats. . - According lo' a high official of tho American Navy, Gormany could easily blockade the coast with submarines, and paralyse internal and foreign commerce. The American Fleet is not prepared, and would bo annihilated if the German Fleet got loose. An American aviation expert says that America has only threo hundred aviators, including those in the Army and Navy, and a. hundred machines.— Renter.