Proposals of the De Facto Government of Mexico for Terminating the European War.

Mr. Ramón P. De Negri to Feb. 12 Transcribes note from Min- 324 the Secretary of State.

ister of Foreign Rela-
tions proposing means for
restoring peace.

The Secretary of State to Mar. 16 Replies to communication of 326
Mr. Ramón P. De Negri.

Feb. 12, 1917.

PART XIV

Severance of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and

Germany.

The German Ambassador Jan. 31
to the Secretary of State.

Announces Germany's inten- 330
tion of extending subma-
rine warfare.

2307 The Secretary of State to Feb. 3 Refers to previous corre

the German Ambassador.

spondence between the
two Governments relating
to submarine warfare and
announces that all diplo-
matic relations between
the United States and the
German Empire are sev-
ered.

335

The Minister of Switzer- Feb. 10 Transmits German Propos-
land in charge of Ger-

338

341

als relating to the Treaty
of 1799.

man interests in Amer

ica to the Secretary of

State.

press, Feb. 12, 1917.

Statement given to the Feb. 12 American refusal to discuss

submarine warfare against
neutrals unless and until
German Government re-
news its assurances of
May 4, 1916.

Statement given to the Mar. 12 In view of Germany's an

press.

nouncement of Jan. 31,
the Government of the
United States has deter-
mined to place an armed
guard upon all American
merchant vessels sailing
through the barred areas.

416 The Secretary of State to Mar. 20 States the Government of

the Minister of Switzer-
land in charge of German

interests in America.

the United States does not
favor the proposed agree-
ment to alter or supple-
ment the meaning of Arti-
cle 23 of the Treaty of

1799.

The Minister of Switzer- Mar. 30 Forwards communication of
land to the Secretary of

State.

the German Government
challenging the assertion
in the American note of
Mar. 20 that Germany has
violated the treaties of
1785, 1799, and 1828.

343

344

345

347

Circular telegram to all Apr. 2 Informs them of President

the missions.

PART XVI

Wilson's address to special
session of Congress, Apr.
2, 1917, and quotes Joint
Resolution declaring the
existence of a state of war
between the Imperial Ger-
man Government and the
United States.

Page.

349

Severance of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and Austria-Hungary.

Ambassador Penfield to the Feb. 1 Quotes note of Jan. 31 358

Secretary of State (tele

gram).

from the Austro-Hunga-
rian Minister for Foreign
Affairs announcing his
Government's intention of
extending submarine war-
fare.

The Secretary of State Feb. 14 Instructs him to inquire of
to Ambassador Penfield
(telegram).

Austro-Hungarian Govern-
ment as to the modifica-
tion of that Government's
pledge given in the An-

cona case.

Ambassador Penfield to the Mar. 2 Quotes aide memoire handed
Secretary of State (tele-

361

363

gram).

him by Austro-Hungarian
Government in reply to
American inquiry as to the
modification of Austria-

Hungary's pledge given in
the Ancona case.

Chargé Grew to the Sec- Apr. 8 Severance of diplomatic re

retary of State (tele

lations between the United

gram).

States and Austria-Hun

gary.

371

2639 Secretary of Embassy Tar- Apr. 20 States the Imperial Otto

ler to the Secretary of

State (telegram).

man Government has in-
formed Embassy it finds
it necessary to rupture its
diplomatic relations with
the United States. Amer-
ican interests have been
confided to the Swedish
Minister.

The Secretary of State Apr. 23 Informs him of the sever

to Ambassador Sharp
(telegram).

ance of relations between
the United States and
Turkey and instructs him
to suspend all activities
in her behalf and follow in-
structions outlined in De-
partment's telegram Feb.
5th regarding German in-
terests.

The Secretary of State to Apr. 23 Same, mutatis mutandis, as

The Secretary of State Apr. 23 Same as above....

to Minister Droppers

(telegram).

The Secretary of State to Apr. 23 Same as above...

Chargé Wheeler (tele

gram).

375

375

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS RELATING TO NEUTRAL RIGHTS AND COMMERCE.

PART I.

DECLARATION OF LONDON.

(Continuation of correspondence printed in Special Supplement, July, 1915, pp. 1-8, and October, 1916, pp. 1-13.)

No. 4191.]

The Secretary of State to Chargé Laughlin.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 18, 1916. SIR: The Department has received the Ambassador's No. 4181, of July 10, 1916, enclosing for the information of the Department a copy, in duplicate, of the text of an Order in Council, dated the 7th of July, 1916, entitled "The Maritime Rights Order in Council, 1916," which effects a change in the rules hitherto adopted by the British Government to govern its conduct of warfare at sea during the present war, and transmitting, also in duplicate, a copy of a memorandum which has been drawn up by the British and French Governments explaining the grounds for the issue of the Order in Council mentioned.

You are instructed to address a formal note to Lord Grey, with reference to the Order in Council of July 7, 1916, and the memorandum of the same date on this subject, and say that the Government of the United States, after giving these documents careful consideration, deems the rules therein set forth for the guidance of British authorities as at variance with the law and practice of nations in several respects, in regard to some of which the United States has already made known its views in prior correspondence, and that the Government of the United States reserves all of its rights in the