UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1917, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

PRELUDE TO WAR. AMERICA STUNG INTO ACTION. BERNSTORFF GIVEN HIS PASSPORTS. MR. GERARD ORDERED HOME FROM BERLIN. (Cable Extraordinary.) Received Feb. 4, 10.40 a.m. Washington, Feb. 3. Count Bernstorff has been handed his passports, and Mr. Gerard, United States Ambassador to Germany, has been ordered home from Berlin. Cable Extraordinary.;— United Service. Received Feb' 3, 0.30 p.m. London. Feb. 3. The Daily Mail has been informed from Washington that Count Bernstorff, German Ambassador to the United States, receives his passports on Saturday. I PRESIDENT STILL OPTIMISTIC. WILL AWAIT OVERT ACT. CONGRESS THEN ASKED FOR POWER. Received Feb. 4, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Feb. 3. President Wilson announced to Congress that Count Bernstorff had been dismissed, but stated that he did not believe Germany would carry out her threat of unrestricted submarining. He would therefore await an overt act, and if Germany committed this overt act. he would ask Congress for power to protect Americans on the high seas. He anticipated that neutrals would cooperate in this purpose.

SENATORS SUPPORT PRESIDENT. STATEMENTS BY BERNSTORFF. GERMANY NOT SURPRISED. Received Feb. 4, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Feb. 3. Prior to the statement to 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 favored breaking off relations. Count Bernstorff says ho wa3 authorised to arrange for the passage of any American ship, without contraband, through the safety line to Falmouth. He now explains that Germany stipulated for one ship weekly, because she understood there were only four American passenger ships plying to England, but America could increase the number. The State Department is now issuing passports to those leaving for Europe. Instructions have been issued to M/. Gerard to close the Embassy and all consulates in Germany, all the officials coming home. Spain will attend to American diplomatic interests in Berlin, and Germany will be represented at Washington by Switzerland. •' Senator Thomas has introduced a Bill to authorise the issue of Treasury notes for naval and military preparedness amounting to one hundred millions sterling Count Bernstorff, in an interview, said: "I am so sorry. However, I expected it; was nothing else left for tho United States to do. I wonder how I am going to get home. My Government will not be surprised, neither will the people in Berlin, for they Knew what was bound to happen if they took the action they have taken. However, I .have simply been here to carry out the orders of my Government."

The Embassy officials have begun packing. They all agree that the first American life lost through the new submarine war will bring a crash.

GERMANS READY FOR FOUL WORK Received FiO>. 4, 5.5 p.m. New York, Feb. 3. ThgsAmerican steamer Hausatonic has been sunk. The German members'of the crew refused to allow the Customs officers and other officials to go below. Count Bernstorff is believed to be behind this refusal. It is believed that the Germans have been secretly preparing to blew up all interned ships, worth many millions. The Providence Journal states that .fiVe of Germany's finest vessels were found ready at New York -for a dash to sea, but failed. All the interned ships are said to have been specially prepared, with a hand ready to destroy the machinery.

AN OVERT ACT. GRAVITY OF SITUATION iNTCREASED. Received Feb. i, 11.4.5 p.m. New York, Feb. 4. Tf the reported sinking of the Hausatonic is true, already an overt act has taken place, which adds to the situation the last degree of gravity. THE APPAM SEIZED. Received Feb. 4, 5.5 p.m. - New York, Feb. 3. American officials have seized the Ap[pans. , '