PRESIDENT'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1917, Page 5

PRESIDENT'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS.

NO ALTERNATIVE POSSIBLE. AN OVERT ACT AWAITED. BEFORE HOSTILE STEPS TAKEN. (Renter Service.) Received Feb. 4, 11.30 p.m. Washington, Feb. 4. America has demanded the immediate release of the Americans captured by the Atlantic raider.

Renter's Washington correspondent states that American Consuls in belligerent countries have been instructed to suspend all activities favorable to German interests.

The Government is considering the question of convoying American merchantmen through European waters by the American Fleet.

Count Bernstorff was handed his passports at 2 o'clock. Simultaneously President Wilson commenced his speech to Congress, wherein he invoked the guidance of the Almighty in the step he had taken. He detailed why America could not continue her,relations with a warring Power which had repeatedly invaded her sacred rights, and taken the lives of her citizens. He recited the various Notes that had passed between the United States and Germany, and the promise given after the sinking of the. Sussex. i President Wilson continued: "I think you will agree with me in the view of this week's declaration, 'which suddenly withdraws the solemn assurances given in the German Note of May 4. This Government has no alternative, consistent with the dignity and honor of America, but to take the course which, in the Note relating to the Sussex, I announced I would take in the event of Germany not abandoning the methods of submarine warfare she was then employing, and whereto she now proposes to revert. I have directed the Secretary of State to announce to the German Ambassador that all diplomatic relations between America and Germany are severed, and that the American Ambassador in Berlin will be immediately withdrawn. Notwithstanding this unexpected action of Germany, and the »udd n n, deeply deplorable renunciation of the assurances given at a critical moment of tension, I refuse to believe it is the intention of the German authorities to do in fact what they warn us they feel at liberty to do. I cannot, indeed, bring myself to believe that they will pay no regard to tho ancient friendship between their people and ours, or to the solemn obligations exchanged. Only actual overt acts on their part can make me believe it. If this confidence on my part should, unhappily, prove to be unfounded, and American ships and lives are sacrificed in heedless contravention of the just and reasonable understanding of international laws, and the obvious dictates of humanity, and if overt acts are forthcoming I will come again to Congress, and ask for authority to use any means necessary for the protection of our seamen and people. We do not desire a hostile conflict with the German Government; we are sincere friends of the German people, and we earnestly desire to remain at peace with the Government which speaks for them." All neutral Governments, he believed, would take the same course. He concluded: "We seek merely to stand true, alike in thought and action, to the immemorial principles of our people. We seek merely to vindicate our rights to liberty, justice, and unmolestetd life. -These are bases of peace, not war. God grant that we may not he challenged to defend them by acts of wilful injustice on tho part of'the Government of Germany."

THE PRESIDENT CHEERED. . I t RUPTURE OF RELATIONS \ APPLAUDED. Receive Feb. 4, 11.45 p.m. Washington, Feb. 3. 'A crowded Chamber cheered President Wilson's speech, There was a great' burst of applause and waving of handkerchiefs when he announced the breik in their relations. AnSTRO-GERMANY. REVENTLOW'S HEROICS. " ''PEACE WOULD MEAN RUIN!" WHAT GERMANY MUST HAVE. Received Feb. 4, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 3. Le Petit Pavisien's Zurich correspondent reports Dint, at the Berlin Conference, Count Reventlow said: "If the United States docs not remain neutral, we will bear it courageously. Even the most cleverly devised peace would mean ruin for us. We must have frontiers sufficiently protected, and territory in the east for colonisation. We must have the liberty of' the seas, not international, but German liberty, also Belgium, and a grand fleet if necessary." POLITICAL CIRCLES PERTURBED. '< LOSS OF AMERICAN PROPERTIES FEARED. Received Feb. 4, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, "Feb. 3. Rerlin political circles are greatly perturbed at the wireless messages, announcing America's indignation. German leaders had hoped that America, understandingjthe desperate plight of AustroGermariy, would undertake a new demarche with the Entente, in order to force an early peace. A conference of the nobility, including, a number of Imperial Princes, who are owners of immense properties in America, is being held. The Kaiser invested a fortune in America,