The West Virginian. [volume], February 03, 1917, Image 1

About The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974

Image provided by: West Virginia University

                
for Jan. 1917 ? 9 -J I '
A Quality Newspaper for tl.e Ho
ESTABLISHED 1868.
a
> fLUI
mi
L Step Was Takei
i Deliberation as
Open to
HI f
Never in History Hpve First C
B | - lomatic Relations With
Status of Two N
(By Assoc
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3?:
* vjrermany nave ueeu seveieu.
. been handed his passports a;
been ordered from Berlin.
I Notice of the break is outli
I President Wilson will deliver t
at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
PI In spite of the fact that tli
early today officials at the W1
ment would not discuss the si
| * The President completed hi!
today and arrangements for h
ately made. 'Whether the brc
"accomplished by a similar br
he learned definitelv inasmuch
I have endorsed the action of G(
Ms expected to follow, if it has
NP? Breaking off diplomatic re
not mean war but easily may
protest characterized in the 1
ure short of war.
The danger that war may i
! diplomatic history of the woi
i a _ _iv i j.? . 1 i
I instance 01 a diplomatic orean
ers that has not been followei
The rights of Germans in tl
cans in Germany are practica
ance of diplomatic relations,
or .suspended but remain in :
either government later decid
under international practice g
one year. German consuls in 1
ican consuls in Germany hold:
treaty continue to perform tl
no longer work under the su]
cers. mere is no change in c
; badly crippled by the war. I:
may continue their usual affai
Hfl in ccmtrabrand and their obli;
# The courts still remain to the:
'" no facility for direct interven
They may however be represented by
seVtcted to care to: the Interests of the
sequestration or confiscation of i
HV TCTatos or Germany although It may be t
The 95 or more German merchant shl]
beginlng of the war may be used by the
B, ultimately must be compensated.
The ships which are scattered in thi
Rico. Pacific Island pos:iesslons comprise
and aggrer ife (128.83 o s tons. nl;
their being conhftcateu- and even then s
States in the world court of nations has
violabllity of private property.
TODAY'S NEWS TODAY
BE
''' ^
''j*'
Lri?s
1CREU1
pio
I With Utmost
i Only Course
Us Now
w in
ilass Powers Suspended Dipout
.War Following?
ations Defined.
latcd Press.)
Diplomatic relations with
Count von Bernstorff has
nd ambassador Gerard has
ned in detail in the address
o a joint session of Congress
lis became known definitely
lite Mouse ana state aeparttuation
in any form.
3 message to Congress early
lis appearance were immedi>ak
with Germany would be
eak with Austria could not
i as Austria is understood to
irmany, however, this action
not already been taken,
lations with Germany does
lead to war. It is an act of
isage of nations as a meas
follow is accentuated by the
Id. Modern times show no
between two first class pow1
by hostilities,
le United States and Ameriilly
unaffected by the severNo
treaties are terminated
full force and effect, unless
l 3 x? J J-1- - t *
leu 10 uenounce mem wniqii
enerally calls for a notice of
;he United States and Amering
their places by virtue of
ieir usual function but they
pervision of diplomatic offiommercial
relations already
ndividuals and corporations
rs provided they do not deal
gations are binding as ever,
m for redress but they have
tion of diplomatic .officials.
the diplomats of tho friendly powers
respective government. There should
private property oither in the United
aken for use under clrcumstnnces.
?b tied up in American ports since the
United States but the German owners
3 port of continental America, Porto
3 some of the best known ocean liners
'' in ease of war Is tho possibility of
uch action la doubtful for tho United
i been the leading exponent of tho ln
v A- '- riT a - r > >
'nC' ti ' KS???*4.' >,<*, V<l"
tc W
Northern Wen
FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGI
E1ED
IS 111
FBI
President Tells
Congress About
Present Crisis
WASHINGTON, D. C? Feb. 3.?
The severance of diplomatic relations
with Germany was formally announced
to the country and world by President
Wilson at a joint session of Congress
today at two o'clock.
The United States stands on the
| verge of war with all the historic
1 precedents of centuries pressing it forI
ward.
! Fervently invoking guidance of AIi
mighty God in the step lie had taken
President-WilsonudetattedHiothe Congress
why the United States could not
continue relations with a warring
power which repeatedly hrvades its
sacred rights and takes the lives of
lie rillunc
Calm, with a sense of right in what' _
may prove to be the most sombre mo- J
I ment in American history the presl-' ,
; dent stood in the historic lialt of the
; House of Representatives with Senators
and Representatives before him
spoke the words which may carry the
! country into the world conflict, but fori
| aggression and not for power; only for:
law and humanity. The President
: spoke as follows:
Gontlemen of Congress: "The imper!
! lal German government on the Slst
1 of January announced to the governments
of the other neutral nations;
that on and after the lirst day of Fob-!
; ruary, the present month, it would;
adopt a policy with regard to the uso
: of submarines against all shipping
seeking to pass through certain deslgI
nated areas of the high seas to which
it is clearly my duty to call your attention.
I "Let me remind the Congress on
the eighth of April, last. In view of the
I sinking of the 24 of March of the crossI
channel steamer Sussex by a German
| submarine without summons or warn- i
: Ing and the consequent loss o' lives
of several citizens of the United
States who were passengers aooaru
her this government addressed a note
to the Imperial German government
in which it made the following declaration:
{Tito President here recited
history of the negotiations with Germany
and said)
"I think that you will agree with me
j that in view of this declaration which
i suddenly and without intimation of
i any kind deliberately withdraws solemn
assurance given in the Imperial
i government's note of the fourth of May
| 191G, this government has no alterna,
ttvo consistent \ylth the dignity and
hnnae .-?f U..A ?
Itvuwt w I hUV V IIIVCU ?;iULVP UUl 11) IUUC i (
! the course which in Its note of the
I eighteenth of April. 191G. it announc- 1
ert that it would tn-tc in the event mat '
German government did not declare and t
effect an abandonment of the mctnods
of submarine warfare which It was ]
then employing and to which it now i
proposes again to resort.
"1 have therefore dlroctod the Secretary
of State t~ announce to his i
excellency the German ambassador
that all diplomatic relations between
tho United States and the German em- '
peror are severed and that the American
ambassador at Borlln will imi
mcniateiy be withdrawn ana in accora|
ancc with this decision to hand to Ills
i Excellency his passport.
"Notwithstanding this unexpected
! action of the German government, this .
sudden' and deeply deplorable retiun- J
elation of its assurances given this
government at one of the most criii
no 1 mAmonle rtf ttuiolnn In
I ?.<** utwMibMkU w? kUUOIUU 111 IUC IClUllUlia I
of the two sovcrnmeuta I refuse to be;
lfeve that It Is tho intention of the I
; firrmnu authorities to do in tact what
j they have warned us they will feet at
liberty to do. I cannot bring myself
to believe that they will indeed pay !
no regard 10 the aucient friendship be- i
. tween their people - nd our own or to .
i solemn obligation which had been ex- <
changed between them, and destroy <
d flii
t Virginia's Greatest Hewspaj.
TVTT A CATT!DT\AV tPirtPXT
Ai> irv, kjniUIVl/Al vJCiV un.
*r~z
R
American ships and take lives of f
American citizens In the willful prose-]
ution of tho ruthless naval program ,J
hey have announced their intention j
o adopt. Only actual overt acts on '
heir part can make me believe it even j
tow.
"If this inveterate confidence on my 1
iart in the sobriety and prudent fore-.
sight of their purpose should unbap-1
illy prove unfounded; if American
ships and American lives should in
lact be sacrificed by their naval companders
in heedless contravention of
iid jusl it mi luusuimuie uimersiauuiug
if international law and the obvious
llctates of humanity 1 shall talie the
iberty of coming again before congress
to ask that authority bo given
no to use any means that may be nec;ssary
for the protection of our seanen
and our people in the prosecution ,
it their peaceful and legitimate errands
on the high seas as j can do
lotbing less. I take it for granted \
liat all neutral governors will take the
tame course.
"We do not dosiro any hostile conflict
with the Imperial German government.
We are the sincere friend of 1
he German people and earnestly delire
to remain at peace with the government
which speaks for them. Wo
ihall not believe that they are hostile
to us unless and until we are obliged
:o believe it; and we propose nothing
nore than reasonable defense of the
indoubtcd right of our people. We
wish to serve no selfish end. We seek
nerely to stand true alike In thought
and In action to tho immemorable principles
of our people which I have
sought to express in my address to
;be senate only two weeks ago?seek
uereiy to vinuicate our rigntB to liner- ,
ty and justice and an unmolested life. ]
These aro the basis of peace and nbtl
ivav and justice und an unmolested <
lfe.. These aro the basis of peace !
lot war.
"God grant that we may not be chal- 1
lenged to defend thorn by actB of wtl:ul
Injustice on the part of Germany.
GERMANY MUST
RETURN PRISONERS
New Cause for Friction with
Teutons Has Developed.
" I
(By Associated Press) '
WASHINGTON", Fob.8?The United
States has formally demanded of Germany
the Immediate release of the >
Americans who were taken prisoners
in prise ships by the raiders hi the
South Atlantic.
' ?!Mnfftfii'T3'**- * .. .
ING, FEBRUARY 3', 1917."
OUGH WEATHER
m
BP* &Q/
Bl^l2L/a
BERNSTORFF
WAS ONLY '.
German Ambassador's Eye 5
Told the News?Wo
Get H
(By Associated Press) i
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.?Diploma-;
tie relatione with G yatnreahnevHA j
broken off. President Wilson in a|
personal address to the Joint session |
f Congress at two tills afternoon will
publlcally announce the American
government's answer to German's declaration
of ruthless submarine warfare.
Ambassador Gerard has been instruct
ed to ask tho German foreign of flee
for passports. Passports have been
sent to Count con Bernstorff.
Confident that the sentiment of the
entire country is behind him and assured
of the united support of Con
gross President Wilson after his conference
yestorday with the Cabinet
and senators camo to the conclusion
that there was only one course tor
the United States to pursue.
The breaking off. diplomatic relations
bring the United StateB to the
verge of war. Never in the history of
the world have two first-class powers
severed diplomatic relations without1
hostilities following. President Wilson
in taking the momentous step has
counted the consequences carefully as
have all his advisers.
Germany, all her officials have openly
said, had counted the cost of a
break with the Unltod States and was
prepared to pay It In the hope of shortening
the war.
When the President returned from
the Capitol last night he apparently
had made ud his mind that nothlne re
malned but breaking off relations. At
once he began preparing an address I
which he will deliver to Congress.
Immediately all machinery or the
government was set in motion to sate- j
guard national interests and further |
prepare the country for the unprece-.
dented and momentous situation in;
which it now finds itself.
Secretary Daniels issued au order l
barring all but officers and men from \
the navy yards, ships and stations.
Orders to safeguard American ports
were issued through the Treasury department
to customs collectors and
coast guard service.
Not unmindful of tho possibility or
llsturbances by German sympathizers
officials said steps had been taken to
meet the situation.
At the Capitol the news of the President's
decision came like o thunder
clap. Everywhere there were expressions
of support and approbation. Administration
leaders in the Senate who
had talked with the President last
tt HI!
^ ^ night
V
MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS.
A
?3.
I
7 says'if
thing to d0 \
loistened When He Was
nders How He Will
tome.
??
night wove not surprised but deeplyj
moved by the climax.
count von Bornstorfi was apparent-1
ly much affected. When the informa-1
tion came to him., ills eyes moistened
and he said to a correspondent of the
Associated Press:
"I'm so sorry. Howevor I expected
it. There was nothing else left for the
United States to do. I wonder how I
am to get home?"
Secretary Lansing and Secretary
Tumulty, the only two men who saw
the President during the morning, |
said he was grave but undisturbed, j
Sin
nil ft n on nnin
unuiupuAU
Passenger Train Rolls Over
40 Foot Embankment.
(By Associated Press)
CROMWELL STATION, Iowa, Feb.
3.?Six, persons were killed and 52 injured
when a Chicago Burlington and
Qufncy passenger train east bound, I
was wrecked late last night by run- j
nlng Into a broken rail. Five Pull-;
man pure trAVa lliMtmai '
down a 40-foot embankment Into a
dltcli.
The engine, tender and smoking car
held to the track. The observation I
car wee-thrown from the track but did
not turn over.
Twelve seriously injured, some of
whom may die, were taken to a hospital
at Creston.
Many of the Injured caught in the
wreckage suffered, itjtenwiy In zero
weather while steel coaches were being
lifted - to tree them.
: t ft aassffiSaBBiraE.
*
si I
AlilUALLl 1
MEAN WAR
President Will Do J
His Best to Pre- -Jm
vent That From 1
Coming
PREPARED FOR W0HS1 1
Congress Has Power to Declare
War and It's '
Pacifist.
?: j.: :
By GIL80N GARDNER. ! '.
WASHINGTON, D. C.. Feb. 3.?
Every bit of influence President Wit
ton can exert will bo used to keep
this country out of war. Even then
we may go in. The issue is as uncertain
as the riip of a coin. , ''.V,r|
The President has seen this coming
and lias tried by peace notes to avert
it. He liopcd to bring the warring nations
to a point where they would be
willing to compare terms of settlement.
Ho know, as this correspondence
has repeatedly stated, that Germany
bad between 80 and 100 large
cruising submarines-practically ready
to go. into commission and that a final
effort was contemplated by the Kaiser
to cut off supplies from the All.es. Ho
knew that the only hope for suocees
in such a campaign lay in throwing
away all rules of war and cancelling
all pledges to the neutral nations Insuring-warning
before attack and the
crows.
Now the blow has struck?the first
blow?and the President has many advisers
in and out of his cabinet wno
assure blm that war Is inevitable.
Their counsel to him is to prepare for
the worst.
President Wilson will do so, bat he
will not cease Ills cnorts In behalf of
a peaceful working out of the situation.
He believes that the sentiment
of the country is for peaco; not peace
at any price but peaco at any price consistent
with honor and the integrity
of the nation. He believes he can rely
on this sentiment to back his efforts
to prevent any hasty or ill-considered
Congress has the power under the
constitution to declare war and there
is today a very strong sentiment 'in ^
Congress against war. That anti-war
(Continued on page two)
^ I!
Au argument started this moraine
in the city hall In which both sides
came out winner. Chief of Police Fred
Harr and the widely advertised David
Dean managed to git something started
which neither could finish. Tho
chief said that It cost more to fuel
David Dean himself than It did to fuel
the Ford. Ho cited as his clincher
that David ate three pieces of steak
and It buckwheats for breakfast this
morning. Figuring this much three
times a da., it costs eleven times more
to feed David than it does to'feed tho
Ford.
Chief of Police Frod Harr drilled his
men this morning ip several of the
maneuvers In vogue, during the Span-.
lab-American war. He 'eels that
should America to called upon to
keep from getting blown off the map
that at least the cops who are used to
wearing uniforms should bo the tint
ones ready.
Dr. J. A. L. Waddell, one of the foremost
bridge engineers in the country,
is here today conferring with the city
officials on the manner in which the
bridge across the Monongahela river
snuii ue ount. 11 in pronaoie mat tuts
conference with engineers will be tbe
Iwjtfie city will have prior to naming
the engtneor who U it- do the
Illllllrflti