U S Breaks With German Empire Rapture Comes
Diplomatic relations with Germany broken as Count von Bernstorff given passports and Ambassador Gerard ordered home. President Wilson addressed Congress, with Austria-Hungary actions unclear though expected to follow. State Department seeks Gerard’s passports. ship crews replaced by Americans and police guard vessel. An attempted scuttling of the destroyer Jacob Jones noted at Philadelphia navy yard.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Germany
Count von Bernstorff
Gerard
Berlin
Wilson
Congress
White House
State Department
Austria-Hungary
Austria
Senate
Philadelphia
Jacob Jones
Philadelphia Navy Yard
Sunk Housatonic by German sub. first reaction cools
Washington reports that the sinking of the American steamer Housatonic by a German submarine has sparked sensational reaction but officials say the incident hinges on whether warning and safety provisions were observed. Consul in Plymouth notes warning given and crew saved. The event tests international law and potential U.S. response.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
D. C
Housatonic
Germany
Stephens
Plymouth
London
Scilly Islands
Washington, D. C
State Department
United States
Frye
Congress
Germans Cripple Interned Ship By Spoiling Boilers
The Norddeutscher Lloyd liner Kronprinzessin Cecilie seized by U S Marshal officials was found crippled beyond repair. Boilers had no water, fires burned at top capacity, and engine room valves were mutilated or sabotaged, according to an official involved in the seizure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Kronprinzessin
Cecilie
United States
Mitchell
Roosevelt Offers Self and Sons to Support Wilson
Theodore Roosevelt pledged support for President Wilson and offered his services and those of his four sons if hostilities arise. Plans for a volunteer army division to be led by a Colonel resurfaced after the Lusitania sinking, with Roosevelt noting he had asked the War Department for approval.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
T. R
Self and Sons
Oyster Bay
Theodore Roosevelt
Wilson
United States
Lusitania
War Department
Pereetestas
Hodeo
German Ambassador Departure Arranged by Swiss Official
Washington reports Count von Bernstorff has passports for himself family and suite and a note on Wilson severing relations with Germany. Swiss minister Dr Paul Ritter will seek authority from Berne to take over Germany's affairs here and then meet Secretary Lansing to work out details. Count Tarnowski, Austria-Hungary ambassador, has not presented credentials and no confirmation on similar action. It remains uncertain what Turkey will do.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Wilson
United States
Germany
Count von Bernstorff
Paul Ritter
Berne
Lansing
Count Tarnowiski
Austria-Hungary
Vienna
Turkey
German Spies Are Watched Arsenals Heavily Guarded
Chicago tightens security around the Great Lakes naval training station near Lake Bluff after Washington orders. Sentries are tripled and visitors barred while Illinois naval reserves provide rifle guard on the gunboat Luzon and the training ship Commodore. Mobilization orders held by Captain E A Evers aim to assemble about 1000 members for duty aboard American fighting craft.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Washington
Great Lakes
Lake Bluff
Illinois Naval Reserves
United States
Lak de Luzon
E. A. Evers
Wilson urges neutrals to cut ties with Germany
President Wilson calls on all neutral nations to sever diplomatic relations with Germany. He has asked American diplomats abroad to report how the suggestion is received and seeks united moral pressure for peace.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Germany
Wilson
United States
Latin America In Doubt Sees No US Relapse Yet
Washington reports no evidence of a severance in relations between Germany and Brazil Argentina or other Latin American republics despite intimations of a broader break. Latin American diplomats only gather information to relay to their governments.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
United States
Germany
Berlin
Brazil
Argentina
Chicago Pit Moved to Tears at Board of Trade
Chicago traders broke into tears as news broke that the United States had severed diplomatic relations with Germany. An impromptu demonstration swept the floor, described as the most moving scene seen by the oldest trader on the board.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Chicago Board of Trade
Germany
Guard units mobilized after Whitman order
Governor Whitman ordered the New York state National Guard and Naval Militia to active duty following a conference with Major General John F. O Ohyan. Militiamen were tasked to guard arsenals armories and watersheds while Commodore Forshew of the Naval Militia protected all bridges.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
National Guard
New York State
Whitman
John F. O'Ryan
O'Ryan
Forshew
German Admiral Scheer Speaks of Sea Victory
Berlin Admiral Scheer, commander of the German battle fleet, telegraphs to Lokal Anzeiger promising continued attack against the British to secure a free sea path as war on the water unfolds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
Scheer
Lokal Anzeiger
Honolulu Seals Tight Security on Harbor Internees
Army and navy guards patrol the Honolulu harbor and wharves to safeguard interned German nationals amid heightened vigilance against neutrality violations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Honolulu
T. H
Grameblasted
Craig
Starvation of England plan shocks Washington
Berlin declares unrestricted submarine warfare and a starvation blockade of England. Count von Bernstorff delivers notes to the U.S. and Germany vows to use every weapon to end the war, with projections of English collapse within 60 days and possible break in diplomatic relations. President Wilson weighs options as Lansing refrains from comment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
Gerard
Berlin
State Department
Count von Bernstorff
von Hindenburg
von Tirpitz
United States
Germany
Wilson
Lansing
Europe
British Isles
Rush of Americans seeks passage to New York on steamers
Following the German note, many Americans rush to secure passages to New York. Schedules show crowds booking first class on the Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam, with sailings moved up toward Saturday. The ship was originally to depart Falmouth Tuesday but has been recalled to Rotterdam.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
New York
Nieuw
Daniels seeks authority to commandeer private plants
Secretary Daniels asks Congress for power to seize and operate private plants for naval vessel construction ammunition and equipment in the public service to speed wartime production in Washington.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Daniels
Congress
Swiss Federal Council imposes food rationing measures
Berne reports the Federal Council acts to limit food consumption amid the submarine campaign. Prohibitions include night work in bakeries and the sale of fresh bread as part of strict rationing efforts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berne
Switzerland
Federal Council
Berlin Grants Immediate Release Of 72 Americans
Germany agreed to the immediate release of seventy two American sailors held after ships sunk by the raider in the Atlantic were brought to a German port.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
Germany
Ambassador Detained In Berlin Over German Claims
Berlin officials report James W. Gerard the American ambassador to Germany cannot depart until the German government resolves concerns over Count von Bernstorff’s treatment by the American government. The Frederick VIII voyage, carrying Bernstorff and other officials, plans a Halifax stop for British inspection and potential blockade restrictions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Copenhagen
James W. Gerard
Germany
Berlin
Count Vou Bernstehil
Washington
Berlin Tagenblatt
Washington, D. C
Frederick Will
Count von Bernsterff
New York
Christiania
Halifax
N. Y
Great Britain
Frederick VIII
Norway
Concerted Effort to Disable German Ships in U.S. Ports
An official report says 17 war bound German merchant ships examined at Philippine ports since the break with Germany are so badly damaged that six months or more would be needed to render them seaworthy. Of 23 vessels tied in the islands, all but six have been inspected and none could be repaired without great cost. Officials suggest a blanket Berlin order could explain the widespread damage, though no authentic U.S. government information supports that.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Philippine
Germany
American Porte
Berlin
German War With America Not Desired by Allied Powers
Washington diplomats express hope the United States will stay out of the war. They fear Germany may push the U S to cut exports by keeping munitions and supplies at home, which could offset any break in relations from the German side.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Washington, D. C
Entente Diplomata
United States
Germany
Eighteen Merchant Ships Sunk by Submarines
American reported eighteen merchant ships sunk by German submarines on Wednesday including a Belgian relief ship nine British vessels and one Russian. The passenger steamer Port Adelaide was among the losses with 181 tons and 96 aboard saved. An attack on the American steamer Westwego by U-45 on January 31 was repor ted. five shells fired but none hit. The German commander threatened to sink the vessel without fuel oil.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Fighteen
Port Adelaide
Admiralty
Sinking of Eavestone Collier and Death of Seaman
Washington reports from Consul Frost in Queenstown reveal the provisional British collier Eavestone was sunk by shell fire from a German submarine near Fastnet on February 4. An American seaman Richard Wallace of Baltimore was killed during the shelling of a lifeboat after leaving the ship.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Eavestone
State Department
Frost
Queenstown
Fastnet
Richard Wallace
Baltimore
North American Gymnastic Union Backs Wilson War Policy
The executive board calls on its members nationwide to support President Wilson in peace or war and says sympathies must be silenced if duty demands. The national organization urges unity as the United States faces potential mobilization.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
American Teutons Loyal
Indianapolis
Ind
United States
Wilson
The
North American Gymnastic Union
Atton
Wilson Counsels Caution as War Talk Grows
Washington prepares for a world court of opinion on Germany. Wilson urges full compliance with the laws of nations and humanity, forbidding expediency or unlawful acts. Berlin’s stance on unrestricted submarine warfare dims hopes for peace as officials weigh the Eaveston incident and Austria’s evolving relation status.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
United States
World Court of Public Opinion
Germany
Frowkdent Wilson
Berlin
Eaveston
Austria
Congress Moves on War Preparation Legislation
Congress pressed ahead with measures for possible war needs as Navy, Army, and Revenue committees sped work. Senate debated severing relations with Germany, with Chairman Stone backing official action. Justice drafted espionage penalties while Baker sought anti aircraft funds and expanded general staff limits in Washington.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D
D. C
Congress
Germany
Army
Washington
American Seaman Killed by Submarine Shells
London reports a British whipple of Arran cargo liner sunk by a submarine with two crew wounded. The Eavestone, 1791 tons, also sunk with captain and three crew killed and one wounded. A Danish freighter Kruse, used by Belgian Relief, sunk off Belpin coast carrying wheat. Gar net Hill, 2272 tons, presumed sunk. American ace Richard Wallace killed in the shelling. Havestane also sunk.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Arran
Lloyd's Shipping Agency
Eavestone
Say
Kruse
Belpiin
Buenos Aires
Garnet Hill
Tone
Loyd’s
Richard Wallace
Acamnan
Baltimore
Havestane
American Line Ships Philadelphia and Finland Reach Liverpool
Liverpool welcomed the American line steamships Philadelphia and Finland on Monday. The St Paul arrived from Liverpool, leaving only two American passenger ships near New York, the Kroonland and the New York, both recent arrivals or departures. The freighter Owego also left for Genoa as messages from New York confirm the Liverpool arrivals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia
New York
Liverpool
Fineland
St. Paul
Nea
Kroonland
Genoa
Finland
Boston German rush to naturalization on first court day
On Monday, the first court day since diplomatic break with Germany, about twenty German citizens sought U S naturalization. Most were former crewmen from German vessels tied at the port. All but one were accepted. the remaining applicant said he needed more time to consider.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Germany
World events and notable figures in early 20th century notes
Reported global incidents include a wrecked American schooner off Cape St Alban. eminent peers such as Charles Augustus Stanhope and Rear Admiral Edward May die. Senate veto overrides and tariff literacy debates surface amid European and Pacific developments. Military actions feature Villa clashes near a city, Pershing’s punitive expedition, and German naval policy shifts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cape St. Alban Roo Island
South Australia
Charles Augustus Stanhope Earl
Harrington
Kent Castle
Derby
Dward May
Bostoe Ave
Villa
City
Francisco G Corran
Alty
United States
Ekill
Tage Berlin
Columbus
N. M
John J. Pershing
Tenn
Pershing
Alibad Taft
Lieutenan Colina
William ©. Reed
Also Mentioned on This Page
U.S
Bernstroff
Charles A. Polack
Immigration Bureau
Mil'tia
Kaiser
Bernstorf
Imp
Pacific North
Chad
Prenidesson
Premedson
Ion Twa
United Sta
Belgi Commission
Alexander J
Janeiro
Amethyst
Germil
Pendleton
Umatilla
of Labor
Amer
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!