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Newspaper
Waterloo Evening Courier
Location
Waterloo, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Feb 03, 1917
Page
14
President Wilson announces severance of diplomatic relations with Germany in a joint session of Congress as the United States faces possible war. He recalls the Sussex sinking and Germany’s submarine policy, detailing diplomatic exchanges and Germany’s new war zone orders.
Washington DC February 3 measures proposed to shield the United States from conspiracies arising from the rupture with Germany will be reviewed by the senate judiciary committee after the president’s congressional address. The note of April 18 1916 warned of submarine warfare and relations were broken with Germany. The president declares willingness to use armed force if necessary to protect American ships and lives while expressing a desire for peace with Germany and friendship with the German people.
Cromwell Feb 3 Four known dead and 60 injured after train No 12 derailed on a broken rail 300 yards east of the Cromwell station. Many passengers pinned in debris as cold hampered rescue and relief trains. Debris, frostbitten victims, and a damaged chair car dominated the scene as crews from Ottumwa and Burlington aided the salvage efforts.
Washington reports that about two hundred Americans have died in German and Austrian submarine attacks, with over seven thousand other nationalities killed. The toll includes many aboard unarmed merchant ships, with incidents tied to the sinking of ships like Falaba and Lusitania, marking a rising crisis in naval warfare. The first recorded American fatality in these attacks was Leon T. Thrasher on the Falaba in March 1915.
The article recounts a U Boat torpedoing a passenger ship with 242 aboard, 136 saved, and notes the Gulflight incident near Scilly Islands on May 1, 1915. It also covers Germany's reaction and the call to close the Berlin embassy as pressures rise before the continued report on Bernstorff and Gerard.
Washington reports that breaking diplomatic relations with Germany is not war but could trigger it. Consuls continue, treaties stay in force, and normal commerce largely continues. German ships in U S ports may be used by the United States with compensation to the German owner.
Washington reports Germany will hand over diplomatic duties to the Swiss legation as relations with the United States break. Count von Bernstorff expressed sorrow yet said he expected the move and wondered how to return home amid the crisis. He arranged with Dr Paul Ritter to transfer duties and anticipated travel options if safe passage proved unlikely.
Washington reports that diplomatic relations with Germany have been broken off and President Wilson will address Congress to announce the U S response to Germany's submarine warfare. Ambassadors Gerard and Bernstorff to passports. Austria-Hungary’s stance unclear. preparations and security measures underway nationwide.
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