Book - U--' t CONFIDENTIAL FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY DECLARATIONS OF WAR SEVERANCES OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS 1914-1918 / WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1919 '■ CONFIDENTIAL FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY i),s. JUL!. »\ sVafc, DECLARATIONS OF WAR SEVERANCES OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS "7X1 1914-1918 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1919 7] 5^5 97 ** 3, MAH 8 1920 , TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. Chart of international relations in the war 3 II. Declarations of war : Alphabetical list ' 5. ( !hronological list g. III. Severances of diplomatic relations : Alphabetical list 9 Chronological list ._ 9 IV. Declarations of war, documents: Austria-Hungary 11 Brazil 13 Bulgaria 13 China IS Cost Rica 21 Cuba 23 France 24 Germany 27 Great Britain 33 Greece 35 Guatemala 38 Haiti 39 Honduras 39 Italy 39> Japan 49 Liberia 50 Montenegro 52 Nicaragua 52 Panama 53 Portugal 54 Roumania * 55 Russia 58 Serbia 59 Siam 59 Turkey 60 United States 65 V. Severances of diplomatic relations, documents : Austria-Hungary 73 Belgium 75 Bolivia 7$ Brazil 77 China 78 Costa Rica 79 Ecuador 80 in IV CONTENTS. V. Severances of diplomatic relations, documents— Continued. Page. France SI Germany S3 Great Britain S3 Greece 84 Guatemala So Haiti 86 Honduras 87 Japan 88 Liberia 88 Montenegro 89 Nicaragua 90 Peru 90 Roumania 02 Russia 92 Turkey 05 United States 96 Uruguay 08 I CHART OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IN THE WAR. [Key: W, war; S, severance of diplomatic relations: N, neutrality.] Argentine Republic. Belgium Bolivia Brazil Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador France Great Britain Germany vs. Portugal 9 March, 1916 30 Germany vs. Roumania 28 August, 1916 31 Germany vs. Russia 1 August, 1914 31 Great Britain vs. Austria-Hungary 12 August, 1914 . Great Britain vs. Bulgaria 15 October, 1915 . 13 16 16 19- 21 23 23 24 25 25 26 33 33 Great Britain vs. Germany > 4 August, 1914 34«« Great Britain vs. Turkey : 5 November, 1914 35 Greece vs. Bulgaria 23 November, 1916 35 (Provisional Govt.) Greece vs. Bulgaria 2 July, 1917 38 (Govt, of Alexander.) Greece vs. Germany 23 November, 1916 38 (Provisional Govt.) Greece vs. Germany 2 July, 1917 38 (Govt, of Alexander.) Guatemala vs. Germany 20 April, 1918 38 Haiti vs. Germany 12 July, 1918 39 Honduras '. . . .vs. Germany 19 July, 1918 39 Italy vs. Austria-Hungary 24 May, 1915 39 « Ital y vs. Bulgaria 19 October, 1915 45^( Ital J r vs. Germany 28 August, 1916 46 (5) Italy - - -vs. Turkey 21 August, 1915 Japan vs. Germany 23 August, 1914 Liberia vs. Germany 4 August, 1917 Montenegro '. vs. Austria-Hungary 7 August, 1914 Nicaragua vs. Austria-Hungary 6 May, 1918 Nicaragua vs. Germany 6 May, 1918 Panama vs. Austria-Hungary 10 December, 1917 Panama vs. Germany 7 April, 1917 Portugal ."vs. Germany 23 November, 1914 (Resolution authorizing intervention as an ally of England.) Portugal vs. Germany 19 May, 1915 note, (Military aid granted.) Roumania vs. Austria-Hungary 27 August, 1916 (Allies of Austria-Hungary considered it a declaration of war. ) Russia vs. Bulgaria 19 October, 1915 Russia. vs. Turkey 3 November, 1914 Serbia vs. Bulgaria 14 October, 1915 Serbia vs. Germany 6 August, 1914 Serbia vs. Turkey 8 January, 1915 Siam vs. Austria-Hungary 22 July, 1917 Siam vs. Germany 22 July, 1917 Turkey vs. Roumania 29 August, 1916 Turkey (Holy war) vs. Allies 11 November, 1914 United States vs. Austria-Hungary 7 December, 1917 United States vs. Germany 6 April, 1917 Page. 47 49 50 51 51 51 52 52 53 53 54 ' 57 57 58 58 58 58 58 59 59 64 67 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST. 1914. 2S July Austria-Hungary vs. Serbia. 1 August Germany vs. Russia. 3 August France vs. Germany. 3 August Germany vs France. 4 August •. Germany vs. Belgium. 4 August Great Britain vs. Germany. 6 August Austria-Hungary vs. Russia. 6 August Serbia vs. Germany. 7 August Montenegro vs. Austria-Hungary. 8 August Austria-Hungary vs. Montenegro. 9 August Montenegro vs. Germany. 12 August (midnight) France vs. Austria-Hungary. 12 August (midnight) Great Britain vs. Austria-Hungary. 22 August Austria-Hungary vs. Belgium. (Received by Belgium 28 August.) 23 August Japan vs. Germany. 29 October France vs. Turkey. 3 November Russia vs. Turkey. 5 November Great Britain vs. Turkey. 1914. 11 November Turkey vs. Allies. (Spoke of it as a holy war against Serbia and her allies— France, Great Britain, Russia.) 23 November Portugal vs. Germany. (Resolution passed au- thorizing invervention as an ally of England.) 1915. 8 January Serbia vs. Turkey. (Treaties declared ter- minated from 1 December, 1914.) 19 May Portugal vs. Germany. (Military aid granted. I 24 May Italy vs. Austria-Hungary. 21 August Italy vs. Turkey. 14 October Bulgaria vs. Serbia. 14 October Serbia vs. Bulgaria. 15 October Great Britain vs. Bulgaria. 16 October France vs. Bulgaria. 19 October Russia vs. Bulgaria. 19 October Italy vs. Bulgaria. 1916. 9 March Germany vs. Portugal . 27 August Roumania vs. Austria-Hungary. (Allies of Austria also considered it a declaration of war.) 28 August Germany vs. Roumania. 28 August Italy vs. Germany. 29 August Turkey vs. Roumania. 1 September Bulgaria vs. Roumania. 24 November Greece (Provisional Government) - - vs. Germany. 1917. 6 April United States vs. Germany. 7 April Cuba vs. Germany. 7 April Panama vs. Germany. 2 July Greece (Government of Alexander) - - vs. Bulgaria. 2 July Greece (Government of Alexander) - -vs. Germany. 22 July '. Siam vs. Austria-Hungary. 22 July Siam vs. Germany. 4 August Liberia vs. Germany. 14 August China vs. Austria-Hungary. 14 August China vs. Germany. 26 October Brazil vs. Germany. 7 December United States vs. Austria-Hungary. 10 December Panama vs. Austria-Hungary. 16 December Cuba vs. Austria-Hungary. 1918. 20 April Guatemala vs. Germany. 7 May Nicaragua vs. Germany. 8 May Nicaragua vs. Austria-Hungary. 23 May Costa Rica vs. Germany. . 12 July Haiti vs. Germany. 19 July Honduras vs. Germany, SEVERANCES OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. ALPHABETICAL LIST. Page. Austria-Hungary vs. Japan 24 August, 1914 73 Austria-Hungary vs. Portugal 15 March, 1916 73 Austria-Hungary vs. Serbia 25 July, 1914 74 Austria-Hungary vs. United States 8 April, 1917 75 Belgium vs. Germany 4 August, 1914 75 Bolivia vs. Germany 13 April, 1917 76 Brazil vs. Germany 11 April, 1917 77 China vs. Germany 14 March, 1917 78 Costa Rica vs. Germany 21 September, 1917 . . 79 Ecuador vs. Germany 7 December, 1917 . . 80 France vs. Austria-Hungary 10 August, 1914 81 France vs. Turkey 30 October, 1914. ... 82 Germany vs. Italy 23 May, 1915 83 Germany vs. Japan 23 August, 1914 83 Great Britain vs. Bulgaria 13 October, 1915 83 Great Britain vs. Turkey 30 October, 1914 84 Greece vs. Austria-Hungary 2 July, 1917 84 Greece vs. Germany 29 June, 1917 84 Greece vs. Turkey 2 July, 1917 85 Guatemala vs. Germany 27 April, 1917 85 Haiti vs. Germany 16 June, 1917 86 Honduras vs. Germany 17 May, 1917 87 Japan vs. Austria-Hungary 25 August, 1914 88 Liberia vs. Germany 5 May, 1917 88 Montenegro vs. Germany 9 August, 1914 89 Nicaragua vs. Germany 18 May, 1917 90 Peru vs. Germany 5 October, 1917 90 Roumania vs. Bulgaria -. .30 August, 1916 92 Russia vs. Bulgaria 5 October, 1915 92 Russia vs. Roumania 28 January, 1918 93 Russia vs. Turkey 30 October, 1914 94 Turkey vs. Belgium 6 November, 1914. . 95 Turkey vs. United States 20 April, 1917 96 United States vs. Germany 3 February, 1917 ... 96 Uruguay vs. Germany 7 October, 1917 98 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST. 26 July, 1914 Austria-Hungary vs. Serbia. 4 August, 1914 Belgium vs. Germany. 9 August, 1914 Montenegro vs. Germany. (9) 10 10 August, 1914 France vs. Austria-Hungary. 23 August, 1914 Germany vs. Japan 24 August, 1914 Austria-Hungary vs. Japan. 25 August, 1914 Japan vs. Austria-Hungary. 30 October, 1914 Great Britain vs. Turkey. 30 October, 1914 France vs. Turkey. 30 October, 1914 Russia vs. Turkey. 6 November, 1914 Turkey vs. Belgium. 23 May, 1915 Germany vs. Italy. 5 October, 1915 Russia vs. Bulgaria. 13 October, 1915 Great Britain vs. Bulgaria. 15 March, 1916 Austria-Hungary ..vs. Portugal. 30 August, 1916 Roumania vs. Bulgaria. 3 February, 1917 United States vs. Germany. 14 March, 1917 China vs. Germany. 8 April, 1917 Austria-Hungary vs. United States. 11 April, 1917 Brazil vs. Germany. 13 April, 1917 Bolivia vs. Germany. 20 April, 1917 Turkey vs. United States. 27 April, 1917 Guatemala vs. Germany. 5 May, 1917 Liberia vs. Germany. 17 May, 1917 Honduras vs. Germany. 18 May, 1917 Nicaragua vs. Germany. 16 June, 1917 Haiti vs. Germany. 29 June, 1917 Greece vs. Germany. 2 July, 1917 Greece vs. Austria-Hungary. 2 July, 1917 Greece vs. Turkey. 21 September, 1917 Costa Rica vs. Germany. 5 October, 1917 Peru vs. Germany. 7 October, 1917 Uruguay vs. Germany.. 7 December, 1917 Ecuador vs. Germany. 28 January, 1918 Russia vs. Roumania. DECLARATIONS OF WAR. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY against BELGIUM. Declaration of war against Belgium, 22 August, 1914- [Austro-Hungarian Bed Book. LXVII : sec also Belgian Gray Book, Xo. 77, under date of reception, 28 August. 1914.] Count Berchtold to Count Clary. Brussels. [Telegram.] Vienna, 22 August. 1914. I request } t ou to inform the royal Belgian minister of foreign affairs without delay, as follows : By order of my Government I have the honor to notify you, as follows : In view of the fact that Belgium, having refused to accept the propositions addressed to her on several occasions by Germany, is now in military coopera- tion with France and Great Britain, both of which have declared war on Austria-Hungary; and in view of the recently established fact that Austrian and Hungarian subjects resident in Belgium have, under the eyes of the royal authorities, been treated in a manner contrary to the most primitive laws of humanity, and inadmissible even toward subjects of a hostile State, Austria- Hungary is necessarily compelled to break off diplomatic relations and con- siders herself from now on in a state of war with Belgium. I leave the country with the staff of the legation and place the subjects of my country under the protection of the minister of the United States of America in Belgium. The Imperial and Royal Government has handed his passports to Count Errembault de Dudzeele. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY against MONTENEGRO. There seems to be no formal declaration of war. The following is from the London Times. 12 August. 191 4. p. 6. c: [London Times, Aug. 12, 1014, p. 6, c] Nam, 9 August, 1914. The Montenegrin Government has handed the German minister his passports, and hostilities with Austria began yesterday. The Austrian fleet has bombarded Antivari. (11) 12 AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY against RUSSIA. Declaration of war against Russia, 6 p. m., 6 August, 191b. 1 [Austro-Hungarian Red Book, LIX ; see also Russian Orange Book, No. 79.] Count Berchtold' to Count Szapary, St. Petersburg. [Telegram.] Vienna. J August. 101 4. You are instructed to hand the following note to the minister of foreign affairs: By order of his Government the undersigned ambassador of Austria-Hungary has the honor to notify his excellency the Russian, minister of foreign affairs as follows : " In view of the threatening attitude assumed by Russia in the conflict be tween the AustrO-Hungarian monarchy and Serbia, and in view of the fact that, in consequence of this conflict and according to a communication of the Berlin cabinet. Russia has considered it necessary to open hostilities against Germany ; furthermore, in view of the fact that the latter consequently has entered into a state of war wirh the former power. Austria-Hungary considers herself equally in a state of war with Russia.*' After having presented this note you will ask for the return of your passports and take your departure without delay accompanied by the entire staff of the embassy, with the sole exception of those officials who may have to remain. Simultaneously passports are being handed to M. Schebeko. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY against SERBIA. Declaration of tear against Serbia, noon, 28 July, 191b. [Austro-Hungarian Red Book XXXVII ; see also Serbian Blue Book, No. 45.] Count Berchtold to the Royal Serbian Foreign Office, Belgrade. [Telegram.] Vienna, 28 Ally, 191b. The Royal Serbian Government having failed to give a satis- factory reply to the note which was handed to it by the Austro- Hungarian minister in Belgrade on 23 July, 1914, the Imperial and Royal Government is compelled to protect its own rights and inter- ests by a recourse to armed force. Austria-Hungary, therefore, considers herself from now on to be- in state of war with Serbia. 1 Presented to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 6 Aug., 1914, at 6 p. m: (Russian Orange Book, No. 79.) BRAZIL BULGARIA. 1& BRAZIL. BRAZIL against GERMANY. Declaration of war against Germany, 26 October, 1917. [Official United States Bulletin, No. 145, p. 6.] The Department of State has been informed that, at 6.20 o'clock Friday afternoon, the Brazilian Senate unanimously voted the fol- lowing- resolution which had been approved by the Chamber at 3 o'clock : A state of war between Brazil and the German Empire, provoked by the- latter, is hereby recognized and proclaimed, and the President of the Republic, in accordance with the request contained in his message to the National Con- gress, is hereby authorized to take such steps for the national defense and public safety as he shall consider adequate, to open the necessary credits and to authorize the credit operations required. All previous measures to the contrary are hereby revoked. BULGARIA. BULGARIA against ROUMANIA. Declaration of war against Roumania, 1 September, 1916. [Revue (Jenerale de Droit International Public, Documents, 23:199.] M. Radoslavoff, President of the Council of Bulgaria, to the Roumanian Minister at Sofia. I have had the honor to indicate during the last months to the/ royal legation of Roumania, either by notes verbales or by letters addressed to your excellency, or in his absence to M. Langa-Rascano,. charge d'affaires, the very numerous incidents which have constantly held on the alert the troops charged with surveillance of the Rou- mano-Biilgarian frontier. These incidents.. more and more frequent, always provoked from the Roumanian side, in spite of the more than correct attitude of the Bulgarian authorities and in spite of the assurances and protesta- tions of friendship given by the Roumanian legation, have ended by bringing to light intentions which the Bulgarian Government has hesitated to suppose of its neighbor, the recent past not having been sufficient to make them forget the sentiments of lively sympathy of the Bulgarian people toward Roumania. These sentiments date from a distant past, and in the recent past of which I speak your excellency has not forgotten the Balkan war of 1912-13, in which Roumania profited by the bloody trial which the Bulgarian people were enduring to seize from them, when they were struggling for 14 BULGARIA. their existence, a strip of territory, thus manifesting a tenacious ill will which nothing can justify. The peace of Bucharest followed, which imposed on Bulgaria most heavy sacrifices. Nevertheless she was resigned and wished to offer to her neighbor the hand of friendship. She was disappointed in her hopes. Since then evidences of animosity have continued without intermission. There was first the attitude of the Roumanian press, which overflowed with insults to Bulgaria and her sovereign: the endless difficulties over the transit of merchandise destined to Bulgaria ; the refusal to deliver, in spite of regular contracts, prod- ucts of prime necessity purchased in Roumania — salt, petrol, etc. There are the vexations to which the Bulgarians are exposed who live in Roumania or only cross its territory ; the closure of the frontier on 13 July to merchandise and travelers from and to Bul- garia ; the protests which the royal legation of Roumania at Sofia made with the greatest energy on the subject of pretended incidents provoked by the Bulgarian frontier guards, incidents which had never taken place such as that of Rahovo. in reference to which I had the honor to write your excellency on the 15th of August, and M. Rascano on the 21st of the same month. To the incessant frontier incidents, but of a character more or less mild, succeeded genuine battles, organized by Roumanian detach- ments against the Bulgarian frontier posts. Post Xo. 9, to the east of Kemanlar, was attacked on the night of 25-26 August. Posts Nos. 10 and 13 \yere attacked at the same time. There Ave re indeed veritable operations of Avar which the Roumanian troops carried on at the frontier: the bombardment of Kaldovo on the 28th of August, and that of Rousse the same day : the 29th of August a Roumanian de- tachment opened heavy fire on a Bulgarian post situated opposite them, and soon after the fire extended along the frontier line up to Bulgarian Post No. 17. Similarly, on the shores of the Black Sea the Roumanian frontier guards vigorously attacked the Bulgarian posts and Avere repulsed. Finally M. Radeff has been forbidden, since 28 August, to communi- cate with his Government. His passports Avere sent to him without the Bulgarian Government having been able to giA~e him at any time instructions with reference to an eventual rupture of relations. On the 30th it Was your excellency avIio demanded his passports and notified of the rupture of diplomatic relations as the natural conse- quence of the event which had preceded. In the meantime, on the night of the 30th-31st, without an express declaration of war, the Roumanian Army tried to construct a bridge over the Danube before Kaldovo and to cross the river in this place. Your excellency understands what is then the solution desired by the Roumanian Government, and Which is compelled by the turn of BULGARIA. • 15 •events. The situation being given, as that Government has created it, Bulgaria is obliged to accept the fait accompli, and I have the honor, M. Minister, to bring to the knowledge of your excellency that from this morning it considers itself in a state of war with Roumania. Accept the assurance of my highest consideration. Proclamation of /rap against Rdumania, 1/lJ/. September. 1916. [Revue G6n6rale de Droit International Public, Documents. 23:200.] Bulgarians! In 1913, after the termination of the Balkan war, when the Bulgarians were obliged to light against their disloyal allies, our northern neighbor, Roumania. treacherously attacked us under pretense of a breach of the balance of power in the Balkans, and invaded the undefended portions of our fatherland without meeting resistance there. By this predatory invasion of our terri- tory, she not only prevented us from harvesting the holy fruits of the war but also succeeded, as a result of the peace of Bucharest, in humiliating us and depriving us of our dear Dobrudja, the nucleus of our Kingdom. Obeying my orders, our brave army fired not a single shot against the Roumanian soldier, and allowed him to gain a sorry military fame of which he has not dared to boast till now. Bulgarians! To-day. Bulgaria, with the assistance of the brave croops of our allies, has succeeded in repulsing Serbia's attack on our territory, in defeating Serbia and in destroying her, and in realizing the unity of the Bulgarian people ; for to-day, Bulgaria is mistress of almost all the territory over which she has historical and ethnological claims; to-day, this self-same neighbor Roumania has declared war on our ally Austria-Hungary, this time also under the pretense that the European war involves important territorial changes in the Balkans which would menace her future. Without any declaration of war from Bulgaria, Roumanian troops had already on 28 August bombarded Rustchuk, Swistow, and other Bulgarian Danube towns. Owing to this provocation by Roumania, I command our brave army to chase the enemy from the frontiers of my Kingdom, to destroy this violent neighbor, to secure the unity of the Bulgarian people, which was achieved at the cost of so many sacrifices, and to free our brothers in the Dobrudja from slavery. We will fight hand in hand with the brave and victorious troops of all the powers who are our allies. I hope the Bulgarian nation will accomplish new glorious d a. m., 14 August, 1917. [Official documents relating to the war, Chinese Foreign Office, 1917: 17.] Peking, 14th August, 1917. Your Excellency: On 9th February last the Chinese Government addressed a protest to the German Government against the policy of submarine warfare inaugurated by the central European powers, which was considered by the Chinese Government as contrary to the established principles of public international law and imperiling Chinese lives and property. The Chinese Government, considering its protest to be ineffectual. later notified the German Government, on 14th March last, of the CHINA. 17 severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, which fact was duly communicated to your excellency. As the policy inaugurated by the central European powers — a policy contrary to public international law and violating the prin- ciples of humanity — remains unmodified, the Chinese Government, actuated by the desire to maintain international law and protect Chinese lives and property, can not remain indifferent indefinitely. Inasmuch as Austria-Hungary is acting in this matter in concert with Germany, the Chinese Government is unable to adopt a differ- ent attitude toward them, and therefore now declares that a state of war exists between China and Austria-Hungary from 10 o'clock a. m. of the 14th day of the eighth month of the sixth year of the Republic of China. In consequence thereof the treaty of 2d September, 1869, and all other treaties, conventions, and agreements of whatever nature at present in force between China and Austria -Hungary are abrogated, as also all such provisions of the protocol of 7th Septem- ber, 1901, and other similar international agreements as only con- cern China and Austria-Hungary. China, however, declares that she will conform to the provisions of The Hague conventions and other international agreements respecting the humane conduct of war. Besides telegraphing to the Chinese minister at Vienna to inform the Austro-Hungarian Government and to apply for his passport, I have the honor to send you herewith passports for your excellency, the members of the Austro-Hungarian legation, and their families and retinue for protection w^hile leaving Chinese territory. With regard to consular officers of Austria-Hungary in China, this min- istry has instructed the different commissioners of foreign affairs to issue them likewise passports for leaving the country. I avail, etc. (Signed) Wang Ta-hsieh:. To His Excellency Dr. A. vox Bosthorn, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Austria-Hungary } 1 The Austro-Hungarian minister replied as follows : Peking, I'/tli August, 1917. Youk Excellency : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of to-day of the following tenor : (Here follows text of Chinese note above.! I can not here enter into the arguments contained in the declaration of war, but feel bound to state that I must consider this declaration as unconstitutional and illegal, seeing that, according to so high an authority as the. former President Li Yuan-hung, such a declaration requires the approbation of both Houses of Parliament. His Excellency, Wang Ta-hsieh, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese Government returned this communication from the Austro-Hungarian min- ister without comment. The grounds taken by Foreign Minister Wang Ta-hsieh were that no communications could be received from the Austrian representative since he had ceased to have a diplomatic status. 18 CHINA. Presidential proclamation declaring war on Germany and Austria- Hungary, 14 August, 1917. [Official documents relating to the war, Chinese Foreign Office, 1917 : 13.] On the 9th day of the "2d month of this year we addressed a protest to the German Government against the policy of submarine warfare inaugurated by Germany, which was considered by this Government as contrary to international law and imperiling neutral lives and property, and declared therein, in case the protest be ineffectual, we would be constrained, much to our regret, to sever diplomatic rela- tions with Germany. Contrary to our expectations, however, no modification was made in her submarine policy after the lodging of our protest. On the con- trary, the number of neutral vessels and belligerent merchantmen de- stroyed in an indiscriminate manner were daily increasing and the Chinese lives lost were numerous. Under such circumstances, al- though we might yet remain indifferent and endure suffering, witli the meager hope of preserving a temporary peace, yet in so doing wi> would never be able to satisfy our people, who are attached to right- eousness and sensible to disgrace, nor could we justify ourselves before our sister States which had acted without hesitation in obedi- ence to the dictates of the sense of duty. Both here, as well as in the friendly States, the cause of indignation was the same, and among the people of this country there could be found no difference of opinion. This Government thereupon being compelled to consider the protest as being ineffectual, notified, on the 14th of the 3d month, the German Government of the severance of diplomatic relations and at the same time the events taking place from the beginning up to that time were announced for the general information of the public. What we have desired is peace; what we have respected is inter- national law: what we have to protect are the lives and property of our people. As we originally had no other grave causes of enmity against Germany, if the German Government had manifested re- pentance for the deplorable consequences resulting from its policy of warfare, it might still be expected to modify that policy in view of the common indignation of the whole world. That was what we eagerly desired and it was the reason why Ave felt reluctant to treat Germany as a common enemy. Nevertheless, during the five months following the severance of the diplomatic relations the submarine attacks continued in operation as vigorously as before. It is not Ger- many alone, but Austria-Hungary as well, which adopted and pur- sued this policy without abatement. Xot only has international law been thereby violated, but also our people are suffering injury and loss. The most sincere hope on our part to bring about a better state' of affairs is now shattered. Therefore it is hereby declared, against CHINA. 19 Germany as well as Austria-Hungary, that a state of war exists com- mencing from 10 o'clock of the 14th day of the 8th month of the 6th year of the Republic of China. In consequence thereof all trea- ties, agreements, conventions concluded between China and Germany, and between China and Austria-Hungary, as well as such parts of the international protocols and international agreements as concern the relations between China and Germany, and between China and Austria-Hungary, are in conforniit}^ with the law of nations and in- ternational practice, abrogated. This Government, however, will re- spect The Hague Conventions and her international agreement re- specting the humane conduct of war. The chief object of our declaration of war is to put an end to the calamities of war and to hasten the restoration of peace, which, it is hoped, our people will fully appreciate. Seeing, however, that our people have not yet at the present time recovered from sufferings on account of the recent political disturbances and the calamity again befalls us in the breaking out of the present war, I, the President of this Republic, can not help having profound sympathy for our people when I take into consideration their further suffering. I would never resort to this step of striving for the existence of our nation unless and until I, considering it no longer possible to avoid it, am finally forced to this momentous decision. I can not bear to think that through lis the dignity of international law should be impaired, or the position in the family of nations should be undermined or the restoration of the world's peace and happiness should be retarded. It is therefore hoped that all of our people will exert their utmost in these hours of hardship, with a view to maintaining and strengthening the existence of the Chinese Republic, so that we may establish ourselves amidst the family of nations and share with them the happiness and benefits derived there- from. . (Countersigned) Gen. Tuan Chi-jui, Prime Minister and Minister of War, etc. (Here follow the signatures of the other cabinet ministers.) CHINA against GERMANY. Declaration of war against Germany transmitted through the Neth- erlands minister to Peking, 10 a. m., 14 August, 1917. [Official documents relating to the war, Chinese Foreign Office, 1917 : 16.] Peking, 14th August, 1917. Your Excellency: On 9th February last, the Chinese Government addressed a protest to the German Government against the policy of submarine warfare inaugurated b}^ the Central European Powers, 20 CHINA. which was considered by the Chinese Government as contrary to the established principles of public international law and imperiling Chinese lives and property. The Chinese Government declared that in case its protest be ineffectual China would be constrained, much to her regret, to sever diplomatic relations with Germany. Contrary to expectations the submarines of the Central European Powers continued to sink neutral and belligerent merchantmen whereby more Chinese were lost, and the Chinese Government could not but consider its protest to be ineffectual and notified Germany on llth March last of the severance of diplomatic relations. The Chinese Government still expected that the general condem- nation of that policy — a policy contrary to public international law and violating the principles of humanity — would lead to its modi- fication, but it now finds that its expectations are no longer realizable. The Chinese Government, actuated by the desire to maintain inter- rational law and protect Chinese lives and property, can not remain indifferent to this state of affairs indefinitely, and therefore now de- dares that a state of war exists between China and Germany from 10 o'clock a. m. of the 14th day of the 8th month of the 6th year of the Republic of China. In consequence hereof the treaty of 2d September, 1861, the supplementary convention of 31st March, 1880, and all other treaties, conventions, and agreements of whatever nature at present in force between China and Germany are abro- gated, as also all such provisions of the protocol of 7th September, 1901, and other similar international agreements as only concern China and Germany. China, however, declares that she will con- form to the provisions of The Hague Conventions and other interna- tional agreements respecting the humane conduct of war. Besides telegraphically requesting the Danish Government to in- form the German Government, I have the honor to request your excellency to transmit this note to the German Government. (Signed) Wang Ta-hsieh. I avail, etc. His Excellency Jonkeer Beerlaerts van Blokland, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of The Netherlands. Presidential proclamation declaring war on Germany and Austria- Hungary, 14 August, 1917. [See i». IS.] COSTA RICA. 21 COSTA RICA. COSTA RICA against GERMANY. Declaration of tear against Germany. [Archives of the Department of State.] Legislative Branch. No. 2- The Constitutional Congress of the Republic of Costa Rica, In the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by the Constitu- tion of the Republic, Section 5, Article 70, and in view of the in- formation furnished to this High Body by the Chief of the Nation, Resolves : Article 1. To authorize the Executive to declare war against the Government of the German Empire. To the Executive. (riven in the Hall of Sessions, National Palace, San Jose, the twenty-third day of the month of May, nineteen eighteen. Daniel Nunez, President. Ricardo Coto Fernandez, Secretary. F. A. Segreda, Secretary. Let it be published. Presidential Mansion, San Jose. May 23rd, 1918. F. Tinoco. Enrique Ortiz. R.. The Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Relations. Executive Branch. Xo. 4. Federico Tinoco, Constitutional President of the Republic of Costa Rica. Taking into account — 1. That the war provoked by Germany against the principal powers with the intention of subverting throughout the world the system of justice in order to implant that of force as the supreme law of nations 22 COSTA RICA. is virtually a conflict of principles the result of which interests most deeply all the members of the international community; 2. And that, in fact, the objects pursued by Germany in the present war compromise the existence of the most elevated ideals of humanity and annul the most important mental and moral gains of civilization. since those intentions, already evidenced in the course of the conflict, constitute the conscious violation of the international laws and cus-- toms that regulate the life of States and their immediate substitution by an exclusive and tyrannical dictatorship, which, based upon mili- tary power and the exercise of autocracy, tends to the establishment of political and economical servitude over the nations already sub- jected by her or which she may in the future overcome by armed force : 3. And that Germany in its attempts against the fundamentals of international law, through a long series of nets, characterized by the spirit of absolutism has trampled under foot the most respectable human institutions and doctrines and particularly that high con- ception of liberty and justice which is the essence of world morality: that it has violated the sacredness of public treaties, the laws of war and the rights of neutrals, and has threatened with death the prin- ciple of the existence of small nationalities and the indisputable right they possess to dispose of their own destiny in the exercise of their rights and their autonomy ; 4. And that in view of these premises, even though Costa Rica, on account of the smallness of her material resources, can not under the present circumstances render to the great cause of humanity aid in proportion to her high aspirations, it is obvious that both because of the necessity for self-preservation and because of her proven sentiments of solidarity, she is under the unavoidable moral obliga- tion to cooperate with her unrestricted support in the work of com- mon defense in which, with the greatest heroism, many nations find themselves engaged, to many of which the people of Costa Rica finds itself united by the ties of old and sincere friendship ; 5. And that the rupture of diplomatic relations with the Imperial German Government, as decreed by the Executive on 21 September last, is not sufficient in itself to define the position that Costa Rica should resolutely assume in the presence of the conflict, which for a small and weak country such as ours, having no other protection or other cult but that of the law, can not be other than that of a bel- ligerent participation against the oppressors of the liberty, existence, respect for, and autonomous government of all the nations of the earth ; Now, therefore, In exercise of the authority which has been conferred upon him by the Constitutional Congress in the resolution of to-day and of the power conferred by Paragraph 3, Article 99, of the Constitution, CUBA. 23 and in conformity with the aforesaid, and in Council of Ministers, decrees : Article 1. That from and after this date a state of war exists between the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the German Empire. Given in the presidential mansion, San Jose, the twenty-third day of the month of May, nineteen eighteen. F. Tinoco. Enrique Ortiz. R., The Minister of Finance and Commerce and in charge of Office of Foreign Affairs, etc.. J. J. Tinoco, The Minister of War and for the Ministers of Government and Promotion. Anastasio Alfaro, The Minister of Public Instruction. CUBA. CUBA against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Declaration of tear against Austria-Hungary, 10 December, 1017. [Archives of the Department of State.] [No. 170.] Legation of Cuba, Washington, D. C, 21 December, 1917. Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to inform your excellency that the Congress of my nation, in joint session of this 16th day of the present month, declared, and the President of the Republic pro- claimed, a state of war between the Republic of Cuba and the Im- perial and Royal Government of Austria-Hungary. I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to your excellency the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration. By direction of the Minister. Dr. J. R. Torralba, First Secretary in Charge of the Affair. CUBA against GERMANY. Declaration of war against Germany, 7 April, 1917. [Gaceta Oflcial, Edicion extraordinaria, No. 20, p. 3.] Mario G. Menocal, President of the Republic of Cuba. Whereas the Congress has voted and I have sanctioned the follow- ing joint resolution: Article 1. Resolved, That from to-day a state of war is formally declared between the Republic of Cuba and the Imperial Government of Germany, and the President of the Republic is authorized and directed by this resolution to employ all the forces of the nation and the resources of our Government to make war against the Imperial German Government, with the object of main- taining our rights, guarding our territory, and providing for our security, 24 FRANCE. prevent any acts which may he attempted against us, and defend the navigation of the seas, the liberty of commerce, and the rights of neutrals and international justice. Art. 2. The President of the Republic is hereby authorized to use all the land and naval forces in the form he may deem necessary, using existing forces, reorganizing them, or creating new ones, and to dispose of the economic forces of the nation in any way he may deem necessary. Art. 3. The President will give account to Congress of the measures adopted in fulfillment of this law. which will be in operation from the moment of its publication in the official gazette. Therefore I command that the present law be complied with and executed in all its parts. Given at the palace of the President in Habana, the seventh April, nineteen hundred and seventeen. M. G. Menocal. Pablo Desvernine. Secretary of State. FRANCE. FRANCE against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Declaration of war against Austria-Hungary, 12 p. m.. 12\ August, 1911 [Austro-Hungarian Red Book, LXV.] Count Mensdorff to Count Berchtold. [ Telegram. London, 12 August, 1914. I have just received from Sir Edward Grey the following com- munication : By request of the French (Government, which no longer is able to communi- cate directly with your Government, I wish to inform you of the following: After having declared war on Serbia and having thus initiated hostilities in Europe, the Austro-Hungarian Government has. without any provocation on the part of the Government of the French Republic, entered into a state of war with France:- 1. After Germany laid declared war successively upon Russia and France. the Austro-Hungarian Government has intervened in this conflict by declaring war on Russia, which was already in alliance with France. 2. According to manifold and reliable information, Austria has sent troops to the German border under circumstances which constitute a direct menace to France. In view of these facts, the French Government considers itself compelled to declare to the Austro-Hungarian Government that it will take all measures necessary to meet the actions and menaces of the latter. Sir Edward Grey added: A rupture with France having been brought about, the Government of His Britannic Majesty is obliged to proclaim a state of war between Great Britain and Austria-Hungary, to begin at midnight. FRANCE. 25 Notification of declaration of war against Austria- Hungary, 13 August, 1911i. [Journal Officiel, 14 August, 1914. p. 1418.] The following notification was, under date of yesterday, sent to his excellency the Ambassador of the United States at Paris, in charge of Austro-Hungarian interests in France, as well as to the diplomatic representatives of powers accredited at Paris. "After having been, in spite of pacific affirmations, the original coauthor of the aggression of Germany against France, the Imperial and Royal Government of Austria-Hungary, by acts of military as- sistance given to Germany, and incompatible with neutrality, pro- voked, on the date of 10 August, 1914. the rupture of diplomatic relations between the cabinets of Paris and Vienna. " New information having established that the Imperial and Royal Government persists in the assistance above denounced, the Gov- ernment of the Republic sees itself constrained to no longer recog- nize it as neutral and to consider it as an enemy from the date of 12 August, at midnight. "The present notification is made in conformity with Article "2. of Convention III of The Hague of 18 October, 1907, relative to the opening of hostilities and is sent to (diplomatic representative at Paris of the power to which notification is made) at Paris. 13 August, 1914. at -1 o'clock in the afternoon." FRANCE against BULGARIA. Declaration of war .4.") p. m. on 3 August, 1914. The Government of the Republic protest before all civilized na- tions, and especially those Governments Avhich have signed the con- A T entions and treaties referred to above, against the violation by the German Empire of their international engagements, and they reserve full right for reprisals which they might find themselves brought to exercise against an enemy so little regardful of its plighted Avord. The Government of the Republic, who propose to observe the prin- ciples of the law of nations, will, during the hostilities, and assuming that reciprocity will be observed, act in accordance with the interna- tional conventions signed by France concerning the law of war on land and sea. The present notification, made in accordance Avith Article 2 of the Third Convention of The Hague of 18 October, 1907, relating to the opening of hostilities and handed to * * * : Paris, 4 August, 1914 — 2 p. m. 1 FRANCE against TURKEY. Decision of the French prize court in regard to a state of war with Turkey as from 29 October, 1914. [The Mahrousseh, Journal Officiel. 17 December, 1915; Decisions du Conseil des Prises, 1 :94.] " The state of war existed en fait between France and Turkey since 29 October, 1914, at 3 o'clock in the morning, the time of the bom- bardment by the Turks of the port of Odessa, where there was a French vessel which was bombarded and on board of which two French nationals were killed." 1 In the Belgian Gray Book, the date is given as 5 August. GERMANY. 2 7 Declaration recognizing a state of war with Turkey, 5 November, 19U. 1 (Revue Generate de Droit International Public, Documents, 22:6.] The acts of hostility which the Turkish fleet, commanded by Ger- man officers, has committed against a French merchant vessel and which have caused the death of two Frenchmen and serious damage to the vessel, not having been followed by the dismissal of the Ger- man military and naval missions, a measure by which the Porte might still have relieved itself of responsibility, the Government of the Republic is obliged to state that by the act of the Ottoman Gov- ernment the state of war exists between France and Turkey. GERMANY. GERMANY against BELGIUM. Ultimatum to Belgium, J August, 191J/. [Belgian Gray Book, No. 20.] Note presented on 2 August, at 7 p. m., by Herr von Below Saleske, German Minister at Brussels, to Monsieur Davignon, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs. Imperial German Legation in Belgium, Brussels, % August, 191b. (Very confidential.) Reliable information has been received by the German Government to the effect that French forces intend to march on the line of the Meuse by Givet and Naninr. This information leaves no doubt as to the intention of France to march through Belgian territory against Germany. The German Government can not but fear that Belgium, in spite of the utmost good will, will be unable, without assistance, to repel so considerable a French invasion with sufficient prospect of success to afford an adequate guarantee against danger to Germany. It is essential for the self-defense of Germany that she should anticipate any such hostile attack. The German Government would, however, feel the deepest regret if Belgium regarded as an act of hostility against herself the fact that the measures of Germany's opponents force Germany, for her own protection, to enter Belgian territory. 1 Exequaturs were withdrawn from Turkish consuls on (5 November (Journ. Off., Nov. 7, 1914) : The President of the French Republic, on the report of the minister of foreign affairs — Decrees: Article 1. By reason of the state of war between France and Turkey, the exequaturs accorded to the Ottoman consul general, consuls and consular agents in France and in the colonies and protectorates are withdrawn. Art. 2. The minister of foreign affairs is charged with the execution of the present decree. Done at Bordeaux, the 6th November, 1914. R. POINCARE. By the President of the Republic. DELCASSfi, The Minister of Foreign Affairs. 28 GERMANY. Ill order to exclude any possibility of misunderstanding the Ger- man Government make the following declaration: 1. Germany has in view no act of hostility against Belgium. In the event of Belgium being prepared in the coming war to maintain an attitude of friendly neutrality toward Germany the German Gov- ernment bind themselves, at the conclusion of peace, to guarantee the possessions and independence of the Belgian Kingdom in full. 2. Germany undertakes, under the above-mentioned conditions, to evacuate Belgian territory on the conclusion of peace. 3. If Belgium adopts a friendly attitude, Germany is prepared, in cooperation with the Belgian authorities, to purchase all necessaries for her troops against a cash payment, and to pay an indemnity for any damage that may have been caused by German troops. 4. Should Belgium oppose the German troops, and in particular should she throw difficulties in the way of their march by a resist- ance of the fortresses on the Meuse, or by destroying railways, roads, tunnels, or other similar works, Germany will, to her regret, be compelled to consider Belgium as an enemy. In this event Germany can undertake no obligations toward Bel- gium, but the eventual adjustment of the relations between the two States must be left to the decision of arms. The German Government, however, entertain the distinct hope that this eventuality will not occur, and that the Belgian Government will know how to take the necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of incidents such as those mentioned. In this case the friendly ties which bind the two neighboring States will grow stronger and more enduring. Declaration concerning use of force in Belgium, 4 August, 1914. [Belgian Gray Book, No. 27.] Herr von Below Saleske. German Minister, to Monsieur Davignon, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs. (The original is in French.) Brussels, 4 August, 1914 {6 a. in.). Sir : In accordance with my instructions I have the honor to inform your excellency that in consequence of the refusal of the Belgian Government to entertain the well-intentioned proposals made to them by the German Government the latter, to their deep regret, find them- selves compelled to take — if necessary by force of arms — those meas- ures of defense already foreshadowed as indispensable in view of the menace of France. Von Below. GERMANY. 29 GERMANY against FRANCE. Ultimatum to France, 31 July, 1914. [German White Book, Annex 25.] Telegram of the Imperial German Chancellor to the Imperial German Ambassador in Paris. 31 July, 191 1 Important ! In spite of our still pending mediatory action, and although we ourselves have adopted no steps toward mobilization, Russia has mobilized her entire army and navy, which means mobilization against us also. Thereupon we declared the existence of a threat- ening danger of war, which must be followed by mobilization, unless Russia within 12 hours ceases all warlike steps against us and Austria. Mobilization inevitably means w T ar. Kindly ask the French Govern- ment whether it will remain neutral in a Russian-German war. Answer must come within 18 hours. Wire at once hour that inquiry is made. Act with the greatest possible dispatch. Declaration of war against France, S.Jfi p. ?n., 3 August, 1914- [French Yellow Book. No. 147.1 Letter handed by the German Ambassador to M. Rene Viviani, President of the Council, Minister for Foreign Affairs, during his farewell audience, 3 August, 1914, at 6.45 p. m. M. le President : The German administrative and military author- ities have established a certain number of flagrantly hostile acts com- mitted on German territory by French military aviators. Several of these have openly violated the neutrality of Belgium by flying over the territory of that country ; one has attempted to destroy buildings near Wesel ; others have been seen in the district of the Eifel ; one has thrown bombs on the railway near Carlsruhe and Nuremberg. I am instructed, and I have the honor to inform your excellency, that in the presence of these acts of aggression the German Empire considers itself in a state of war with France in consequence of ths acts of this latter power. At the same time I have the honor to bring to the knowledge of your excellency that the German authorities will detain French mer- cantile vessels in German ports, but they will release them if within 48 hours they are assured of complete reciprocity. My diplomatic mission having thus come to an end, it only remains for me to request your excellency to be good enough to furnish me with my passports and to take the steps you consider suitable to 30 GERMANY. assure my return to Germany with the staff of the embassy, as well as with the staff of the Bavarian legation and of the German consulate general in Paris. Be good enough, M. le President, to receive the assurances of my deepest respect. Schoex. GERMANY against PORTUGAL. Declaration of war against Portugal, 6 y. w., 9 March, 1916. I Revue Oenerale de Droit International Public, Documents, 23:171] Since the outbreak of the war the Portuguese Government, In- actions which are in conflict with her neutrality, has supported the enemies of the German Empire. The British troops have been allowed four times to march through Mozambique. The coaling of German ships was forbidden. The extensive sojourn of British war vessels in Portuguese ports, which is also in conflict with the laws of neutrality, was allowed; Great Britain was also permitted to use Madeira as a point d'appui for her fleet. (Tims and materials of war were sold to Entente Powers, and even a destroyer was sold to Great Britain. German cables were interrupted, the archives of the imperial vice consul in Mossamedes were seized, and expeditions sent to Africa were described as directed against Germany. At the frontier of German Southwest Africa and Angola the German district com- mander and two officers and men were tricked into visiting Xaulila, and on 19 October. 1915, were declared to be under arrest. When they tried to escape arrest, they were shot at and forcibly taken prisoners. During the course of the war the Portuguese press and Parlia- ment have been more or less openly encouraged by the Portuguese Government to indulge in gross insults to the German people. AVe repeatedly protested against these incidents in every individual case, and made most serious representations. We held the Portu- guese Government responsible for all consequences, but no remedy was afforded us. The Imperial Government, in forbearing appreciation of Portu- gal's difficult position, has hitherto avoided taking more serious steps in connection with the attitude of the Portuguese Government. On 23 February the German vessels in Portuguese ports were seized and occupied by the military. On our protest, the Portuguese Gov- ernment declined to go back from these forcible measures, and tried to justify them by illegal (gesetz^'nlrh/) interpretations of existing treaties. These interpretations appeared to the German Govern- ment to be empty evasions. It is a fact that the Portuguese Govern- GERMANY. 31 ment seized a number of German vessels out of proportion to what was necessary for meeting the shortage of Portugal's tonnage, and that the Government did not attempt even once to come to an under- standing with the German shipowners either directly or through the mediation of the German Government. The whole procedure of the Portuguese Government, therefore, represents a serious violation of existing laws and treaties. The Portuguese Government by this procedure openly showed that it regards itself as the vassal of Great Britain, which subordi- nates all other considerations to British interests and wishes. Fur- thermore, the Portuguese Government effected the seizure of the vessels in a manner in which the intention to provoke Germany can not fail to be seen ; the German flag was hauled down in the German vessels, and the Portuguese flag with a war pennon was hoisted, and the flagship of the admiral fired a salute. The Imperial Government sees itself obliged to draw the neces- sary conclusions from the attitude of the Portuguese Government. It regards itself from now on in a state of war with the Portu- guese Government. GERMANY against ROUMANIA. Statement of declaration of war against Roumania, 28 August, 1916. 1 Revue Generate de Droit International Public, Documents, 23 : 199 ; London Times, 29 Aug., 191(5, p. 7, e.] After Roumania, as already reported, disgracefully broke treaties concluded with Austria-Hungary and Germany, she declared war Sunday against our ally. The Imperial German minister to Rou- mania has received instructions to request his passports and to declare to the Roumanian Government that Germany now likewise considers herself at war with Roumania. GERMANY against RUSSIA. Ultimatum, to Russia, 31 July, 191 If. [Herman White Book. Annex 24.] Telegram cf the Imperial German Chancellor to the Imperial German Am- bassador in St. Petersburg. 31 July, 1914. Important ! In spite of still pending mediatory negotiations, and although we ourselves have up to the present moment taken no measures for mobilization. Russia has mobilized her entire army and navy; in oilier words, mobilized against us also. By these Russian meas- 92838—19 3 32 GERMANY. ures we have been obliged, for the safeguarding of the Empire, to announce that danger of war threatens us, which does not yet mean mobilization. Mobilization, however, must follow unless Russia ceases within twelve hours all warlike measures against us and Austria-Hungary and gives us definite assurance thereof. Kindly communicate this at once to M. Sazonof and wire hour of its com- munication to him. Declaration of war against Russia, 7.10 p. ???.. 1 August, 191$} [German White Book, Annex 26. See also Russian Orange Paper, No. 76.] Telegram of the Imperial German Chancellor to the Imperial German Am- bassador in St. Petersburg 1 . 1 August, 191$, 12.52 p. m. Important ! In case the Russian Government gives no satisfactory answer to our demand, will your excellency, at 5 o'clock this afternoon (cen- tral European time), kindly hand to it the following declaration: The Imperial Government has endeavored from the beginning of the crisis to bring it to a peaceful solution. In accordance with a wish expressed to him by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, in cooperation with England, applied himself to the accomplishment of a mediating role toward the cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg, when Russia, without awaiting the outcome, proceeded to mobilize her entire land and naval forces. ■ Following this threatening measure, occasioned by no military preparation on the part of Germany, the German Empire found itself confronted by a serious and imminent peril. If the Imperial Government had failed to meet this peril, it would have jeopardized the safety and even the existence of Ger- many. Consequently, the German Government was obliged to address the Government of the Emperor of all the Russias and insist upon the cessation of all these military measures. Russia having refused to accede to this demand, and having manifested by this refusal that her acts were directed against Germany, I have the honor, by order of my Government, to make known to your excellency the following : His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the Empire, takes tip the defiance, and considers himself in a state of war against Russia. I urgently ask that you wire the hour of arrival of these instruc- tions, and of their carrying out, according to Russian time. Kindly ask for your passports and hand over protection and busi- ness to the American embassy. 1 Note handed in by the ambassador of Germany at St. Petersburg on 19 July (1 Aug.), 1914, at 10 minutes past 7 in the evening. (Russian Orange Paper, No. 76.) " GREAT BRITAIN. 33 GREAT BRITAIN. GREAT BRITAIN against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Declaration of war against Austria-Hungary, 12 p. ?n., 12 August, 1911 [Austro-Hungarian Red Book, LXV.] Count Mensdorff to Count Berchtold. [Telegram. 1 London, 12 August. 191 J h I have just received from Sir Edward Grey the following com- munication : By request of the French Government, which no longer is able to communi- cate directly with your Government, I wish to inform you of the following: After having declared war on Serbia and having thus initiated hostilities in Europe, the Austro-Hungarian Government has. without any provocation on the part of the Government of the French Republic, entered into a state of war with France. 1. After Germany had declared war successively upon Russia and France, the Austro-Hungarian Government has intervened in this conflict by declaring war on Russia, which was already in alliance with France. 2. According to manifold and reliable information Austria has sent troops to the German border under circumstances which constitute a direct menace to France. In view of these facts the French Government considers itself compelled to declare to the Austro-Hungarian Government that it will take all measures necessary to meet the actions and menaces of the latter. Sir Edward Grey added : A rupture with France having been brought about, the Government of His Britannic Majesty is obliged to proclaim a state of war between Great Britain and Austria-Hungary, to begin at midnight. GREAT BRITAIN against BULGARIA. Proclamation of icar against Bulgaria, 10 p. m., 15 October, 1915. [London Gazette, 16 Oct., 1915, pp. 10229, 10257.] The King of the Bulgarians, an ally of the Central Powers, being now in a state of war with the King of Serbia, an ally of His Majesty King George V, His Majesty's Government have notified the Swedish minister in London, who is in charge of Bulgarian interests in this country, that a state of war exists between Great Britain and Bul- garia as from 10 p. m. to-night. Foreign Office, 15 October, 1915. 34 GREAT BRITAIN. GREAT BRITAIN against GERMANY. Ultimatum to Germany, J/. August. 191^. [British White Taper, No. 159.] Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Goschen. [Telegraphic] Foreign Office, London, If August. 191 Jf. We hear that Germany has addressed note to Belgian minister for foreign affairs stating that the German Government will be com- pelled to carry out. if necessary by force of arms, the measures con- sidered indispensable. We are also informed that Belgian territory has been violated at Gemmerich. In these circumstances, and in view of the fact that Germany de- clined to give the same assurance respecting Belgium as France gave last week in reply to our request made simultaneously at Berlin and Paris, we must repeat that request, and ask that a satisfactory reply to it and to my telegram of this morning 1 be received here by 12 o'clock to-night. If not, you are instructed to ask for your passports, and to say that His Majesty's Government feel bound to take all steps in their power to uphold the neutrality of Belgium and the observance of a treaty to which Germany is as much a party as ourselves. 1 No. 153. — Sir Edward Grey to Sir E, Goschen. [Telegraphic] Foueign Office, London, h August, ;.>l). The King of the Belgians has made an appeal to His Majesty the King for diplomatic intervention on behalf of Belgium in the following terms : " Remembering the numerous proofs of Your Majesty's friendship and that of your predecessor, and the friendly attitude of England in 1870, and the proof of friendship you have just given us again, I make a supreme appeal to the diplomatic intervention of Your Majesty's Government to safeguard the integrity of Belgium." His Majesty's Government are also informed that the German Government has de- livered to the Belgian Government a note proposing friendly neutrality entailing free passage through Belgian territory, and promising to maintain the independence and integrity of the Kingdom and its possessions at the conclusion of peace, threatening iu case of refusal to treat Belgium as an enemy. An answer was requested within 12 hours. We also understand that Belgium has categorically refused this as a flagrant violation of the law of nations. His Majesty's Government are bound to protest against this violation of a treaty to which Germany is a party in common with themselves, and must request an assurance that tlfe demand made upon Belgium will not be proceeded with, and that her neutrality will be respected by Germany. You should ask for an immediate reply. GREECE. 35 P reclamation of war against Germany, 11 p. m., 4 August, 191 1^} [London Times. 5 Aug., 1918, p. 6, a.] The following statement was issued from the Foreign Office at 12.15 this morning (5 Aug.) : Owing to the summary rejection by the German Government of the request made by His Majesty's Government for assurances thai. the neutrality of Belgium will be respected, His Majesty's ambassa- dor at Berlin has received his passports and His Majesty's Govern- ment have declared to the German Government that a state of war exists between Great Britain and Germany as from 11 p. m. on i August. GREAT BRITAIN against TURKEY. Proclamation of state of war with Turkey, ~> November, 1914. [London Gazette, 5 Nov., 1014, pp. 8997. 9011 ; Manual of Emergency Legislation, Supp. No. 2, p. 1.1 Owing to hostile acts committed by Turkish forces under German officers, a state of war exists between Great Britain and Turkey as from to-day. Foreign Office, 5 November, 191 4. GREECE. GREECE against BULGARIA. Declaration of war of Provisional Government against Germany and Bulgaria, 23 November, 1916. [International Law Documents, Naval War College, 1917: 159.] There is no country in existence which, in its desire for peace, has done more than Greece in the course of the present war to repress its feelings, even to the extent of forgetting its aspirations, or shown so much patience toward rivals who have sought to benefit by the ruin of its interests. The spectacle of Belgium, a little country like Greece, being made the victim of a most insolent violation of solemn treaties, and the fact that that violation was the basis of the war. inclined Greece from the very first to take part in this war of nations. But in the interest of Serbia and in that of the Greek cause generally, Greece deemed it a duty to decide in favor of neutrality. Profiting by past experience of Bulgarian duplicity, however, and having from an early period reasons to suspect that treacherous designs were being entertained, Greece at the same time kept her forces absolutely in reserve in case her efforts should not succeed in preventing a Bul- M notification of similar effect was published in tlie London Gazette, 7 Aug., 1914, pp, 6161, 6181, and in the Manual of Emergency Legislation, page 1. 36 GREECE. garian aggression, with a view to going to the assistance of her heroic Serbian ally. When this eventuality actually occurred, Greece, which at that time was still controlled by her legal Government, was ready loyally to fulfill the obligations of the alliance. But she was deterred by the pernicious effects of a disgraceful campaign which had long been undertaken against the moral unity of the country. As early as February, 1915, the Liberal Cabinet then in power, strong in the almost unanimous support of the representatives of the people, de- cided in principle to secure at once by means of war the fullest aspira- tions of Hellenism, and to cooperate with the protecting powers in the Dardanelles expedition. The agents of German propaganda suc- ceeded in preventing this by bringing about between the Crown and the responsible Government a sudden conflict, which, according to the constitutional laws confirmed by parliamentary traditions, ap- peared to be out of the question. Surprised by this unforeseen crisis, the Greek people deferred manifesting their opinion until the general election of 31 May, 1915, when they again expressed their confidence in the Liberal Party, which was ready, the moment Bulgarian aggres- sion manifested itself, to lead the country in the path of honor and glory. But the pro-German party, emboldened by their success in Feb- ruary and fortified by the encouragement they had received, were on the alert. In spite of the recent appeal to the country, it was able to provoke between the Crown and the responsible Government a far more serious conflict than the preceding one. Again the people were patient. If they could no longer count on their parliamentary insti- tutions, they thought that their rulers, who were unconscious dupes of German perfidy, would be compelled sooner or later by the logic of events to recognize their mistake and to attempt to safeguard the already compromised interests of the country. Alas ! this hope was vain. For a whole year they were condemned to drink deeper and deeper of the cup of national humiliation. By means of a measure of demobilization their army was reduced to inac- tivity. Heroic Serbia was invaded by our hereditary enemy, Bul- garia, whose forces were stationed in a menacing way on our frontier, and soon afterwards, in spite of the promises given, they seized a portion of our territory, which the criminal policy of the Greek Government basely delivered over to them, together with some of our forts and war material and an entire army. Meanwhile another enemy of our race, Germany, has been carrying on, by means of a swarm of official and secret agents, the work of degradation by means of which she reckoned on depriving the country of its fleet and preparing it for the loss of its political liberties and national independence. Happily, before succumbing to the repeated GREECE. 37 efforts of its enemies from without and within, the Greek people took courage and, in a supreme demonstration of the national conscience, resolved not to allow themselves to become enslaved. Being unable to break the shackles of force and corruption, which precluded all national initiative within the limits of the established institutions, the more determined of the patriots fled and joined the populations which, far from the center, preserve more liberty of opinion and action. These patriots undertook to utilize the living forces of Hellenism in order to form an army destined to liberate the occupied parts of the national territory and, while rehabilitating the compromised national honor, to show that Hellenism was still alive to its duties and its destinies. The civilized world has given a sympathetic welcome to this revolt of the Greek soul. The Government established at Saloniki, recognized as a power de facto, set resolutely about its task, and, with the material and moral aid of the protecting powers, Greece began the realization of her military plan. At a moment when the first units of her army which have been sent to the front are about to enter into a contest with the enemies of Hellenism, the Provisional Government thinks it right to bring to the knowledge of the belligerent States, of which it has become the ally, and of the neutral States, whose sympathy it desires, the fact that from this day it considers itself in a state of war with Bulgaria for having attacked Serbia, Greece's ally, and invaded, in spite of her promises, the national territory ; and with Germany for having incited and aided Bulgaria to fight against Serbia, and to act against Greece; for having violated the guarantees she gave to the Greek Government with regard to the towns of Seres, Drama, and Ka valla ; for having extended to Greek maritime commerce in Greek territorial waters, without plausible reason or previous warning, the criminal attempts of submarines, and for having cynically declared that she intended to persevere in these acts of destruction of defense- less vessels and the cow T ardly murder of innocent passengers; and for having, finally, undertaken to demoralize, humiliate, and divide the Greek people to the detriment of their honor and their national interests. Not being able to send a direct notification of the present declara- tion of war to the Governments of the Kingdom of Bulgaria and the German Empire, the Provisional Government asks the allied Gov- ernments to be good enough to communicate it to them in its name by any means at their disposal. 38 GUATEMALA. Notification of declaration of state of war of the Government of Alexander with Bulgaria, 2 July, 1917. [Telegram to the Department of State from Athens.] 372. 2 July, 12 noon. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. Minister of Foreign Affairs informs me Greece at war Germany, Bulgaria. Relations broken off other Central Powers. Droppers. GREECE against GERMANY. [See the note of the Provisional Government declaring war against Germany and Bulgaria, 23 November, 1916, and the notification of a state of war of the Government of Alexander with Germany and Bulgaria, 2 July, 1917, cited above.] GUATEMALA. GUATEMALA against GERMANY. Decree declaring war against Germany, 20 April, 1918. [Archives of the Department of State.] Decree No. 976. The National Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Guatemala. Considering : That on 27 April last Guatemala broke its diplomatic relations with the Imperial German Government for the reasons set forth in Decree No. 727 of the executive power and approved by Decree No. 966 of the legislative power ; That relations being once broken, and having been considered in detail, those deeds and circumstances which have followed as a con- sequence of that preliminary step, the time has arrived for establish- ing the international attitude of Guatemala in the conflict of nations ; That, on the other hand, the continental solidarity, the geographical position of the country, and the ties, historical and of international order, existing between the United States and Guatemala indicate to the latter its line of conduct in the present case : Therefore, decrees : Article 1. In the present international conflict Guatemala assumes the same belligerent attitude as the United States toward the German Empire. Art. 2. For the purposes of the fifteenth clause of the fifty-fourth article of the constitutive law of the Kepublic, by virtue of which the foregoing declaration is made, the Executive is authorized to pro- ceed in conformity with the needs of the situation in complying with the present decree. HAITI HONDURAS ITALY. 39 It now passes to the Executive for publication and fulfillment. Done in the chamber of the sessions of the National Legislative Assembly in Guatemala on the twentieth day of April of the year one thousand nine hundred and eighteen. (s.) Arturo Urico, President. (s.) Manuel Ma. Giron, Secretary. (s.) Maximo Soto Hall, Secretary. Palace of the Executive Poaver, 23 April, 1918. Let it be published and enacted. (s.) Manuel Estrada C. (s.) Luis Toledo Herrarte, The Secretary of State for the Department of Foreign Affairs. HAITI. HAITI against GERMANY. Notification of declaration of tear against Germany, 12 July, 1918. [Telegram received by the Department of State. 12 July, 1918.] The Council of State, acting upon message of the President, has just unanimously authorized him to declare Haiti in a state of war with Germany. HONDURAS. HONDURAS against GERMANY. Notification of declaration of war against Go-many, 19 July. 1918. [Telegram received by the Department of State.] 19 July. 6 p. m. Secretary or State, Washington^ D. C. Honduras declared war against Germany to-day. Curtis. ITALY. ITALY against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Declaration of war against Austria-Hungary, 23 May, 1915. [2nd Austro-IIungarian Red Book, Xo. 204 I Baron Burian to Baron Macchio. T Telegram.] Vienna, 23 May, 1915. The Duke of Avarna this afternoon handed to me the following declaration of war : 40 ITALY. In compliance with the orders of his noble sovereign the King, the undersigned Royal Italian ambassador has the honor to com- municate the following to his excellency the Austro-Hungarian minister of foreign affairs : On the 4th of this month the Austro-Hungarian Government was informed of the grave reasons for which Italy, confident of being in the right, declared that her alliance with Austria-Hungary was null and void, and without effect in future, since this alliance has been violated by the Austro-Hungarian Gov- ernment, and that Italy resumed her full freedom of action. Fully determined to protect Italian rights and interests with all the means at its disposal, the Italian Government can not evade its duty to take such measures as events may impose upon it against all present and future menaces to the fulfillment of Italy's national aspirations. His Majesty the King declares that from to- morrow he will consider himself in a state of war with Austria-Hungary. The undersigned has the honor at the same time to inform his excellency the minister of foreign affairs that to-day the Austro- Hungarian ambassador in Rome will receive his passports, and he would be grateful if his excellency would hand him likewise his own passports. Notification of war with Austria-Hungary, 23 May, 1915. [Italian Green Book, No. 77, Annex 2; Journal Offlciel. 27 May, 1915, p. 3335.] Note of Baron Sonnino, Italian Foreign Minister. [Communicated to Italian representatives abroad and to foreign Governments on 23 May, 1915.] Rome, 23 May, 1915. A clear proof of the eminently conservative and defensive char- acter of the Triple Alliance is to be found in the letter and spirit of the treaty, and in the policy clearly manifested and confirmed by the official acts of the ministers who created the alliance and who were responsible for its renewals. Italian policy has ever been inspired with the ideals of peace. Austria-Hungary, in provoking a European war, in refusing to aceept Serbia's reply which gave Austria-Hungary all the satis- faction which she could legitimately demand, in refusing to listen to the conciliatory proposals which Italy had made in conjunction with other powers in order to preserve Europe from an immense conflict, which would drench it in blood and pile up ruins on a scale hitherto unknown and undreamed of — Austria-Hungary tore up with her own hands the treaty of alliance with Italy, which, so long as it was loyally interpreted other than as an instrument of aggression against others, had been a valuable factor in eliminat- ITALY. 41 ing and settling disputes, and in securing for many years to come the inestimable benefits of peace. The first article of the treaty reaffirmed the logical and general principle of every treaty of alliance, namely, the obligation to exchange views on political and economic questions of a general nature which might arise. It followed that neither contracting party was at liberty to undertake, without previous mutual agree- ment, action by which the other contracting parties might incur any obligation under the treaty of alliance, and in any way affect their most important interests. Austria-Hungary, by sending her note of 23 July, 1914. to Serbia without previously consulting Italy failed in this duty; Austria-Hungary thus violated unquestionably one of the fundamental clauses of the treaty. Austria -Hungary was all the more under the obligation to consult Italy first, inasmuch as her uncompromising action against Serbia had created a situation directly tending to provoke a European war, and as early as the be- ginning of July, 1914, the Eoyal Government, who were anxious in regard to the way things were shaping at Vienna, had repeatedly counseled moderation and had warned the Imperial and Eoyal Gov- ernment of the possible danger of a general European crisis. The action taken by Austria-Hungary against Serbia was, more- over, directly in opposition to Italian general political and eco- nomic interests in the Balkan Peninsula. It is not possible that Austria could have thought that Italy would remain indifferent to any diminution of Serbian independence. Our warnings had not been lacking on this point. For many years Italy had from time to time warned Austria, in friendly but unequivocal terms, that she considered the independence of Serbia an essential factor in the balance of power in the Balkans, which Italy herself could never allow to be disturbed to her detriment. And this spirit was not only expressed in the private conversations of her diplomats, but her statesmen proclaimed it loudly and publicly in her Parliament. When, in delivering an ultimatum to Serbia, Austria not only failed — in defiance of all custom — to consult us beforehand, but used every effort to conceal it from us, so that we only heard of it simul- taneously with the public through the telegraphic agencies before we were informed diplomatically, she not only placed herself outside the alliance with Italy but showed herself an enemy of Italian interests. It became clear to the Royal Government, from trustworthy infor- mation in their possession, that the whole trend of Austro-Hungar- ian action in the Balkans would lend to a very serious impairment of the political and economic position of Italy, because it aimed directly or indirectly at the subjugation of Serbia, the political and territorial isolation of Montenegro, and the. isolation of Roumania and the 42 ITALY. diminution of her political importance. This impairment of Italy's position in the Balkans would have been brought about even if Aus- tria-Hungary had had no idea of territorial aggrandizement. It is sufficient to remark that the Austro-Hungarian Government were under an express obligation to take Italy into consultation by virtue of a special article of the treaty of the Triple Alliance, which estab- lished the bond of a defensive agreement and the right to compensa- tion among the allies in the case of the temporary or permanent occupation of any part of the Balkans. The Eoyal Government began conversations on the subject with the Imperial and Eoyal Government immediately at the beginning of hostile action by Aus- tria-Hungary against Serbia, receiving, after some reluctance, an adhesion in principle. Those conversations were begun immediately after 23 July, with a view to giving to the treaty, which had been violated and therefore annulled by the action of Austria-Hungary, a new element of life, which could only be effected by the conclusion of new agreements. Conversations were reopened on a rather more definite basis in the month of December, 1914. The royal ambassador at Vienna then re- ceived instructions to inform Count Berchtold that the Italian Gov- ernment considered it necessary to proceed without any delay to an exchange of ideas, with a view to negotiating with the Government on concrete points in order to clear up the whole situation arising out of the conflict provoked by Austria-Hungary. Count Berchtold re- fused at first, on the ground that he did not think it was necessary, in the present circumstances, to enter into negotiations. But in con- sequence of our reply, with which the German Government asso- ciated themselves. Count Berchtold subsequently informed us that he was ready to enter into the exchange of ideas which we had proposed. We accordingly immediately set out the fundamental broad lines of our point of view, that is to say, we declared that the compensation that we had in mind as affording the basis of a possible agreement must envisage territories now under the domination of Austria- Hungary. The discussions continued from month to month from the begin- ning of December until March, and it was not until the end of March that Baron Burian mad? us an offer of a zone of territory extending slightly to the north of the town of Trent. In return for this cession Austria-Hungary demanded from us in her turn numerous reciprocal engagements, including full and complete freedom of action in the Balkans. It should be noted that the Austro-Hungarian Government did not contemplate that the cession of territory in the Trentino should be effected immediately, as we had demanded, but only at the end of the ITALY. 43 present war. We replied that we could not possibly accept the offer, and we formulated the minimum concessions that would be in any way consistent both with our national aspirations and with the im- provement of our strategical position on the Adriatic. Such require- ments included a somewhat larger district of the Trentino, a new district on the Isonzo, the special treatment of Trieste, the cession of some islands of the Curzolari Archipelago, a declaration of Austria's disinterestedness in Albania, and the recognition of our possession of Valona and the Dodekanese. All our requests met at first with a categorical refusal. It was only after another month of conversations that Austria-Hungary w T as induced to increase the zone of territory to be ceded in the Trentino, setting the limit at Mezzolombardo, but excluding Italian districts, as, for instance, the whole side of the Valley of Noce, the Val di Fassa. and the Val di Ampizzo, and leaving us a boundary which did not correspond in any way to strategical requirements. Moreover, the Austrian Government firmly adhered to their refusal to make any cession effective before the end of the war. The repeated refusals of A ustria- Hungary were explicitly confirmed in a conversation between Baron Burian and the royal ambassador at Vienna on 29 April last, the upshot of which was that the Austro-Hungarian Government, while admitting the possibility of recognizing to a certain extent our preponderant interest at Valona and the aforesaid cession of terri- tory in the Trentino, persisted in giving a negative reply to almost all our other demands, and especially to those regarding the line of the Isonzo, Trieste, and the islands. From the attitude adopted by. Austria-Hungary from the begin- ning of December to the end of April it became quite clear that she was merely trying to temporize without achieving any definite results. In these circumstances Italy found herself face to face with the danger that all her aspirations, whether traditional or ethnical, and her desire for security on the Adriatic, would be lost forever, while on the other hand the European war menaced her highest interests in other seas. Owing to this fact it became at once a duty and a necessity for Italy to recover the liberty of action which was her right, and to seek to preserve her interests by other means than those employed in the negotiations fruitlessly pursued for five months, and by other means than through the treaty of alliance, which by the action of Austria-Hungary had virtually been at an end since July, 1914. It will not be inappropriate to observe that once the alliance had come to an end there was no longer any reason for the Italian people to maintain the attitude of acquiescence which had been dic- tated by their sincere desire for peace nor to repress any longer — as 44 ITALY. they had so long forced themselves to do — the indignation caused by the treatment to which the Italian population in Austria was sub- jected. It is true the treaty contained no formal provision for safe- guarding the Italian language, traditions, or civilization in the re- gions inhabited by our compatriots in Austria-Hungary. But since it was sought to give to the alliance an appearance of sincere peace and harmony, it is obvious that there was a moral obligation on the part of our ally to pay strict regard to and scrupulously to respect the vital interests involved for us in the racial distribution on the Adriatic coast. As a matter of fact, the constant policy of the Austro-Hungarian Government aimed for many years at the destruction of Italian nationality and civilization along the coast of the Adriatic. It Avill only be necessary to give a few short instances of facts and tendencies already too well known to everyone: systematic substi- tution for officials of Italian nationality of officials of other nation- alities; the importation of hundreds of families of different na- tionality: the creation at Trieste of cooperative societies of foreign workmen: the Hohenlohe decrees which aimed at excluding all Italian officials from the public life of Trieste; the denationaliza- tion of the judicial administration; the question of the university, which formed the subject of diplomatic negotiations; the denation- alization of the steamship companies; the action of the police and political trials tending to favor other nationalities at the expense of the Italians; the systematic expulsion of Italians, wholly unjus- tified and constantly increasing in number. The unchanging policy of the Imperial and Royal Government toward the subject Italian population was not solely inspired by internal motives due to the existence of contending nationalities within the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, but appears, on the con- trary, to have been caused in great part by a deep-rooted sentiment of hostility and aversion for Italy, which prevails in certain circles which are in close touch with the Austro-Hungarian Government, and which have a dominating influence on its decisions. From among many proofs of this which could be cited, it may suffice to mention that in 1911, while Italy was engaged in war with Turkey the general staff at Vienna made preparations that grew more and more obvious for an attack upon us, and the military party made most active attempts to win over to its views the other fac- tors responsible for the action of the monarchy. At the same time the armed preparations on our frontier as- sumed an openly offensive character. The crisis came to a pacific solution, as far as can be judged, owing to the influence of exter- nal factors. But from that time onward we have remained under the impression that we might unexpectedly find ourselves exposed ITALY. 45 to armed menace whenever the party hostile to us might obtain predominance in Vienna. All this was known to Italy, but (as has been said before) a sincere desire for peace prevailed among the Italian people. When new conditions came into existence Italy tried to see whether, even under such circumstances, it might be possible to find a more solid basis and a more durable guarantee for her treaty with Austria-Hungary. But her endeavors, conducted over a period of many months in constant accord with Germany, who agreed that negotiation was legitimate, were spent in vain. Hence Italy has found herself forced by the course of events to seek other solutions, and since the treaty of alliance with Austria-Hungary had already virtually ceased to exist, and now only served to cloak the real situa- tion — one of continual suspicions and daily differences — the royal ambassador at Vienna was instructed to declare to the Austro-Hun- garian Government that the Italian Government considered itself freed from any binding power of the treaty of Triple Alliance as far as Austria-Hungary was concerned. This communication was made at Vienna on 4 May. After this declaration on our part, and after we had been forced to proceed to the legitimate protection of our own interests, the Imperial and Royal Government made new offers of inadequate con- cessions, which in no sense corresponded to the minimum demands of our former proposals. These offers could in no wise be accepted by us. The Royal Government, considering all that has been set forth above, strengthened by the votes of Parliament and by the solemn manifestations of the nation, has resolved to make an end of delays, and on this day has declared to the Austro-Hungarian am- bassador at Rome, in the name of the King, that Italy considers her- self in a state of war with Austria-Hungary from to-morrow, 24 May. Instructions in the same sense were telegraphed yesterday to the royal ambassador at Vienna. Sonnino. ITALY against BULGARIA. Notification of a state of war with Bulgaria, 19 October, 1915. (Archives of the Department of State.] No. 3551. Royal Embassy of Italy, Washington, 19 October, 1915. Mr. Secretary of State: With reference to my note of the 8th instant and in obedience to instructions received from H. E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I have the honor to inform your excel- lency that Bulgaria having opened hostilities against Serbia, allying herself with the enemies of Italy and combating the allies, the Italian Government, by order of His Majesty the King, my august sovereign, 46 ITALY. has declared a state of war to exist from this day between Italy and Bulgaria. Be pleased to accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the expression of my highest consideration. Macchi di Cellere. ITALY against GERMANY. Notification of a state of war with Germany, °28 August, 19 JO. The Italian Ambassador to the Secretary of State of the United States. I Archives of the Department of State.] Royal Italian Embassy, Beverly Farms, 28 August, 1916. Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor to address the follow- ing communication to your excellency in the name of the King's Gov- ernment : Systematically hostile acts on the part of the German Government to the detriment of Italy have succeeded one another with increasing frequency, consisting in both an actual warlike participation and economic measures of every kind. With regard to the former, it will suffice to mention the reiterated supplies of arms and of instruments of war, terrestrial and maritime, furnished by Germany to Austria-Hungary, and the uninterrupted participation of German officers, soldiers, and seamen in the various operations of war directed against Italy. In fact, it is only thanks to the assistance afforded her by Germany in the most varied forms that Austria-Hungary has recently been able to concentrate her most extensive effort against Italy. It is also worth while to recall the transmission, by the German Government to Austria-Hungary, of the Italian prisoners who had escaped from the Austro-Hungarian concentration camps and taken refuge in German territory. Among the measures of an economic character which were hostile to Italy it will be sufficient to cite the invitation which, at the instance of the imperial department of foreign affairs, was directed to German credit institutions and bankers to consider every Italian citizen as a hostile foreigner and to suspend payments due him; also the suspen sion of payment to Italian laborers of the pensions due them by virtue of the formal provisions of the German law. The Government of His Majesty the King did not think that it could longer tolerate such a state of things, which aggravates, to the exclusive detriment of Italy, the sharp contrast between the de facto and the de jure situation already arising from the fact of the alliance of Italy and of Germany with two groups of nations at war among one another. ITALY. 47 For these reasons the Royal Government has in the name of His Majesty the King, notified the German Government through the Swiss Government that, as from to-day, 28 August, Italy considers herself in a state of war with Germany. Please accept, etc. Macchi di Cellere. ITALY against TURKEY. Notification of the declaration of war against Turkey, noon, 21 A uguxt. 1915} The Italian Ambassador to the Secretary of State of the United States. [Archives of the Department of State.] Xo. 2651. Italian Embassy, Beverly Farms, Mass., 21 August. 1915. Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor, by order of my Gov- ernment, to bring the following to your excellency's knowledge. From the date of the signature of the treaty of peace of Lausanne, on 18 October. 1912, the Ottoman Government has been violating that treaty, and the violations have not ceased for an instant until now. As a matter of fact the Imperial Government never adopted in earnest any measure to bring about the immediate cessation of hostilities in Libya, as it was bound to do under its covenants sol- emnly entered into; and it did nothing toward the release of the Italian prisoners of war. The Ottoman soldiers remaining in Tripoli and Cyrenaica were kept there under command of their own officers, continuing to use the Ottoman flag, holding possession of their rifles and cannons. Enver Bey continued to direct in person the hostilities against the Italian Army until the end of November, 1912, and Aziz Bey did not leave those parts with 800 men of the regular forces until June, 1913. The way in which both these commanders were received on their return to Turkey is proof evident that their acts were fully assented to by the imperial authorities. After Aziz Bey's departure, on the other hand, officers of the Turkish Army continued to find their way into Cyrenaica. On this very day there are more than a hundred there whose names are known to the Italian Govern- ment. In April last 35 young men from Benghazi, whom Enver Bey had taken to Constantinople against the will of the Eoyal Govern- ment and who were there admitted into the military academy, were sent back to Cyrenaica without our knowledge. Again the King's Government positively knows, any declaration to the contrary not- withstanding, that the holy war was also proclaimed against the 1 The Royal Italian ambassador at Paris made known on the 29th Aug., 1915, that the Royal Italian Government declared war on Turkey on the date of 20 Aug., 1915, at 12 o'clock noon. (Journal Offlciel, 31 Aug., 1915. p. 6107.) 92S38— 19 4 48 ITALY. Italians in Africa in 1914; and a mission of Turkish officers and soldiers bearing gifts to the Senussi chiefs in rebellion against the Italian authorities in Libya were recently captured by French warships. The relations of peace and friendship which the Italian Govern- ment thought it could establish with the Ottoman Government after the treaty of Lausanne therefore never existed, through the latter's fault. And after every diplomatic representation against violations of the treaty had proved utterly useless there remained nothing for the Eoyal Government to do but to provide otherwise for the safe- guard of the high interests of the State and the defense of its colonies against the persistent menace and the actual acts of hostility on the part of the Ottoman Government. It became all the more necessary and urgent to reach a decision, as the Ottoman Government quite recently committed patent invasions of the rights, interests, and very freedom of Italian citizens in the Empire, the more energetic protests entered on this point by the King's ambassador at Constantinople being of no avail. In the pres- ence of the tergiversations of the Ottoman Government on the specific point of letting Italian citizens freely depart from Asia Minor, these protests had. in these last few days, to assume the form of an ultima- tum. On the 3d of the month the royal ambassador at Constantinople addressed by order of the Koyal Government a note to the Grand Vizier setting forth the following four demands : 1. That the Italians be free to leave Beirut. 2. That the Italians in Smyrna, the port of Vourla being un- available, be allowed to leave by way of Sigadjik. 3. That the Ottoman Government let Italians embark unmolested from Mersina. Alexandretta, Caiffa, and Jaffa. 4. That the local authorities in the interior stop opposing the de- parture of royal subjects proceeding to the coast, and, on the con- trary, endeavor to facilitate their journey. On the 5th of August, before the expiration of the term of 48 hours set in the Eoyal Government's ultimatum, the Ottoman Gov- ernment, in a note signed by the Grand Vizier, accepted every point in the Italian demands. On the strength of such solemn declarations the King's Government arranged to send two ships to Khodes with instructions to await orders to proceed and take on board the Italian citizens, who for some time had been staying in the above-named ports of Asia Minor, until they could return home. But now it ap- pears from reports of the American consular officers whom the United States Government has graciously authorized to assume the protection of Italian interests at various posts that the Turkish mili- tary authority at Beirut canceled on the 9th instant the permit to leave granted but a short time before. It was likewise canceled at JAPAN. 49 Mersina. It was further announced that the Ottoman military au- thorities had opposed the embarkation of other Italians residing in Syria. In the presence of this patent breach of categorical promises made by the Ottoman Government in consequence of the Italian Govern- ment's ultimatum the Royal Government has issued instructions to His Majesty's ambassador at Constantinople to deliver a declaration of war on Turkey. And the declaration of war was delivered this day at Constantinople to the Ottoman Government by the King's ambassador. Accept, etc., V. Macchi di Cellere. JAPAN. JAPAN against GERMANY. Ultimatum to Germany, 15 August, 191^. [Official Japanese Documents, No. 3 : Austro-HuD^arian Red Book No. 66.] Telegram dispatched by the Imperial Japanese Government to the charge d'affaires ad interim at Berlin on 15 August, 1914. You are hereby instructed to address to Herr von Jagow imme- diately on receipt of this telegram a signed note to the following effect : The undersigned, charge d'affaires ad interim of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, has the honor in pursuance of instructions from his Government, to communicate to his excellency the minister for foreign affairs of His Majesty, the German Emperor to the follow- ing effect : Considering it highly important and necessary in the present situation to take measures to remove all causes of disturbance to the peace of the Far East and to safeguard the general interests contemplated by the agreement of alli- ance between Japan and Great Britain in order to secure a firm and enduring peace in eastern Asia, which is the aim of the said agreement, the Imperial Japanese Government sincerely believe it their duty to give advice to the Imperial German Government to carry out the following two propositions : First. To withdraw immediately from the Japanese and Chinese waters German men-of-war and armed vessels of all kinds and to disarm at once those which can not be so withdrawn; Second. To deliver on a date not later than 15 September, 1914, to the Imperial Japanese authorities without condition or compensation the entire leased territory of Kiaochou with a view to eventual restoration of the same to < !hina. The Imperial Japanese Government announce at the same time that in the event of their not receiving by noon, 23 August, 1914. the answer of the Imperial German Government signifying unconditional acceptance of the above advice offered by the Imperial Japanese Government they will be compelled to take such action as they may deem necessary to meet the situation. The undersigned, etc. 50 LIBERIA. Proclamation of war with Germany, noon. ,2J August, 1914. [Official Japanese documents, No. 1.] The imperial rescript issued at Tokio, 23 August, 1914, 6 p. m. We, by the grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the throne occupied by the same dynasty from time immemorial, do hereby make the following proclamation to all our loyal and brave subjects: We hereby declare war against Germany, and we command our army and navy to carry on hostilities against that Empire with all their strength, and we also command all our competent authorities to make every effort, in pursuance of their respective duties to attain the national aim by all means within the limits of the law of nations. Since the outbreak of the present war in Europe, calamitous effect of which we view with grave concern, we on our part have enter- tained hopes of preserving the peace of the Far East by the main- tenance of strict neutrality, but the action of Germany has at length compelled Great Britain, our ally, to open hostilities against that country, and Germany is at Kiaochou, its leased territory in China, busy with warlike preparations, while its armed vessels cruising seas of eastern Asia are threatening our commerce and that of our ally. The peace of the Far East is thus in jeopardy. Accordingly, our Government and that of His Britannic Majesty, after full and frank communication with each other, agreed to take such measures as may be necessary for the protection of the general interests, contemplated in the agreement of alliance, and we on our part being desirous to attain that object by peaceful means com- mended our Government to offer with sincerity an advice to the Im- perial German Government. By the last day appointed for the pur- pose, however, our Government failed to receive an answer accepting their advice. It is with profound regret that we, in spite of our ardent devotion to the cause of peace, are thus compelled to declare war, especially at this early period of our reign and while we are still in mourning for our lamented mother. It is our earnest wish that by the loyalty and valor of our faithful subjects peace may soon be restored and the glory of the Empire be enhanced. LIBERIA. LIBERIA against GERMANY. Joint resolution declaring the exisU nee of a state of "-or with Germany, 4 August, 1017. [Acts passed by the Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, 1017 : 11.] Whereas on the 8th day of May, 1917, the Government of the Republic of Liberia found it necessarv in the interest of the Eepublic LIBERIA. 51 to sever official relations with the Government of the German Empire for reasons set forth in the despatch of the Secretary of State to the Representative of the Imperial German Government at Monrovia and in the manifesto of the President of the Republic to the people of Liberia dated June 1, 1917; and Whereas the essential interests of Liberia demand that this Re- public should align itself with those powers who, in the world con- flict now going on, are upholding principles of humanity, of public right, and international conduct, upon which the security of inter- national society is founded; Therefore, It is resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the lie public of Liberia in Legislature assembled — Section 1. That the action of the President in severing official re- lations with the Government of the German Empire and all steps in relation thereto already taken by the Executive Department of this Government be and the same are hereby unanimously approved. Sec. 2. That the President be and he is hereby authorized to deport from the Republic all and every German subject resident within the borders thereof and to sequester and liquidate all German commercial property within the Republic and to denounce all commercial and political understandings heretofore had with the Government of the German Empire. Sec. 3. That the Legislature of Liberia recognizing the duty of this Republic to humanity, to civilization, and to assist in the main- tenance of the principles of public right, and appreciating the neces- sity for such a resolution in the interest of the Republic, do hereby authorize and approve of the alignment of the Republic with those States who are maintaining the conflict against the German Empire, and in pursuance of said resolution do declare that a state of war exists between the Republic of Liberia and the Government of the German Empire. Sec 4. That the President of the Republic be and he is hereby authorized and fully empowered to take all and every precaution to insure, and to make every and any necessary provision to maintain, the security of the State and its essential interests which the present international condition in his discretion justifies. Any law to the contrary notwithstanding. Approved August 1th, 1917. 52 MONTENEGRO NICARAGUA. MONTENEGRO. MONTENEGRO against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Notice of declaration of ivar against Austria-Hungary , 7 August, 191 J^. [London Times, 10 August, 1914, p. 6, d.] Vienna, 7 August, 1914- It is semiofficially announced that the Government of Montenegro has informed the Austro-Hungarian minister in Cettinje that they consider themselves in a state of Avar with Austria. The minister has left Cettinje. (Reuter.) NICARAGUA. NICARAGUA against GERMANY AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Decree declaring a state of war with Germany and Austria-Hungary, 6 May, 1918. [Archives of the Department of State.] The Senate and Chamber of Deputies decree : 1. From this date there exists and is declared a state of war be- tween Nicaragua and the Imperial Governments of Germany and Austria-Hungary. 2. Nicaragua declares itself united with the United States of America and with all the other Latin American Republics which are now at war with the above-mentioned Imperial Governments. 3. Therefore martial law is declared in the Republic and the Ex- ecutive Power is empowered to take all measures which he may judge proper and necessary for the efficacious cooperation of Nicaragua in carrying out this decree. Done in the hall of sessions of the Chamber of Deputies, Managua, 6 May, 1918. Salvador Chamorro, D. P. Gabry Rivas, D. S. » Fernando Ig. Martinez, D. S. To the Executive Power. Senate Chamber, 8 May, 1918. Pedro Gonzales, S. P. Therefore, let it be executed. Sebastian Uriza, S. S. F. M. J. Morales, jS. S. President's House, 8 May, 1918. Emiliano Chamorro. J. A. Urtecho, The Minister for Foreign Affairs. PANAMA. 53 PANAMA. PANAMA against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Declaration of war against Austria-Hungary, 10 December, 1917. [Archives of the Department of State.] The National Assembly of Panama : In view of the message of the President in which he advises the National Assembly of the declara- tion of war made by the Congress of the United States of America on the Austro-Hungarian Empire and considering that the Republic of Panama has expressed before in its laws and resolutions its firm willingness to lend to the United States of America all the powers and cooperation it may be capable of in the present Avar, making common cause with the democratic nations which are fighting to impede the predominance of the world by the Teuton powers, Resolves, That the Republic of Panama be declared in a state of Avar from to-day, 10 December, 1917. with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The President is invested with the necessary powers to cooperate with the United States of America in the prosecution of the war in accordance with the principles of international law, giving compli- ance in the best possible manner to that which is prescribed by Article VIII of the National Constitution. PANAMA against GERMANY. Proclamation of cooperation with the United States in ivar against Germany, 7 April, 1917. [Archives of the Department of State.] PROCLAMATION. The Congress of the United States of America has declared that a state of war exists between that country and the German Empire, and such declaration imposes upon the Republic of Panama grave and unavoidable obligations. If any other country of the world were affected, the elemental duty of Panama would be to maintain itself within the limits of a strict neutrality; but it being a conflict in which is involved the United States of America, a Ration which by the virtue of a perpetual public treaty guarantees and maintains the independence and sovereignty of Panama, and has constructed within Panamanian territory a Avon- derf ul work necessary for the commerce of the world and whose con- servation is essential for the development and the progress of our country, neutrality is impossible. 54 PORTUGAL. Our clear and indisputable duty in this dreadful hour of human history is that of a natural ally whose interests, and whose very ex- istence are linked in a perpetual and indissoluble manner with the United States of America, and this is the meritorious attitude which it is incumbent upon us to adopt. And as such a situation creates danger for our country, it is the duty of the Panamanian people to cooperate with all the energies and resources at its disposal for the protection and defense of the Panama Canal and to safeguard the territory of the nation. This attitude of the Panamanian people was foreseen and faith- fully interpreted by the National Assembly in a resolution unani- mously approved on the 24th of February last, and confirmed after- wards in the introductory clauses and in the text of Law 4G of 1917, and the moment has arrived for the Executive Power to act in ac- cordance with the declaration of the Supreme Body of the Republic. Therefore, I, Ramon M. Valdes, President of the Republic of Panama, declare that the Panamanian nation will lend its emphatic cooperation to the United States of America against the enemies who may execute or attempt to execute hostile acts against the territory of Panama or against the Panama Canal, or which in any manner may aifect or tend to affect the common interests of the two countries. The Government will adopt the measures adequate to these ends as circumstances may demand them, and considers that it is a patri- otic duty for all Panamanian citizens to facilitate the military opera- tions which the forces of the United States may need to undertake within the territorial limits of our country designed for the defense of the common rights and interests of the two nations. It is the duty of foreigners, resident or transient, to submit their conduct to this declaration under the penalties established by the laws of the country and by the rules of international law. (Signed) Ramon M. Valdes. Panama, 7 April, 1917. PORTUGAL. PORTUGAL against GERMANY. Law authorizing military intervention. L 2\ November, 1914- 1 [Coleccao Official de Les>islacao Portuguesa, 1914, 2 : 591.] (Resolution passed 23 November, 1914, according to message received by U. S. Department of State.) President of the Ministry. — Law No. 283. In the name of the nation the Congress of the Republic decrees and has promulgated the following law : 1 According to the Official U. S. Bulletin of 7 November, 1918, p. 3, military aid was granted by Portugal on 19 May, 1915. ROUMANIA. 55 Single Article. The executive power is authorized to intervene by military measures in the present international conflict at the time and in the manner it should judge necessary for our high in- terests and duties as a free nation and ally of England and for the same end to take airy extraordinary steps which the circumstances of the moment may demand. Let the ministers of all departments have it printed, published, and circulated. Given at the seat of the government of the Republic and published 24 Xovember, 1914. Manuel de Arriaga. Atjgtjsto Eduardo Neuparth. Bernardino Machado. A. Freire de Andrade. Eduardo Augusta de Sousa Joao Maria de Almeida Lima. Monteiro. Alfredo Augusta Lisboa de Antonio dos Santos Lucas. Lima. Axtoxio Julio da Costa Pereira Jose de Matos Sobral Cm. de Eqa. ROUMANIA. ROUMANIA against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY AND HER ALLIES. Declaration of war against Austria- Hungary, 9 y. was., 27 August, 1916} [The Times (Loudon) History of the War, 9 : 430; Revue Generale de Droit International Public, Documents, 23 : 197.] Note handed to the Austro-Hungarian Minister at Bucharest, 27 August, 1916. The Alliance concluded between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy had, according to the precise statements of the Governments themselves, only an essentially conservative and defensive character. Its principal object was to guarantee the allied countries against any attack from outside and to consolidate the state of things created by previous treaties. It was with the desire to harmonize her policy with these pacific tendencies that Roumania joined that alliance. Devoted to the work of her internal constitution and faithful to her firm reso- lution to remain in the region of the lower Danube an element of order and equilibrium. Roumania has not ceased to contribute to the maintenance of peace in the Balkans. The last Balkan wars, by destroying the status quo, imposed upon her a new line of conduct. ^Amsterdam, 28 August, 19J8. A Vienna telegram states that last night the Roumanian minister in Vienna visited the Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to present a note according to which Roumania, as from 27 August, at 9 o'clock in the evening, considered herself in a state of war with Austria-Hunsary. (London Times, 29 Aug.. 1916, p. 7, e. See also Journal Offlciel, 5 Sept., 1916, p. 7959.) 56 ROUMANIA. Her intervention gave peace and reestablished the equilibrium. For herself she was satisfied with a rectification of the frontier which gave her greater security against aggression, and which, at the same time repaired the injustice committed to her detriment at the Congress of Berlin. But in the pursuit of this aim Roumania was disap- pointed to observe that she did not meet from the cabinet of Vienna the attitude that she was entitled to expect. When the present war broke out Roumania, like Italy, declined to associate herself with the declaration of war by Austria-Hungary, of which she had not been notified by the cabinet of Vienna. In the spring of 1915 Italy declared war against Austria-Hungary. The Triple Alliance no longer existed. The reasons which determined the adherence of Roumania to this political system disappeared. At the same time, in place of a grouping of States seeking by common efforts to work in agreement in order to assure peace and the con- servation of the situation de facto and de jure created by treaties, Rou- mania found herself in presence of powers making war on each other for the sole purpose of transforming from top to bottom the old arrangements which had served as a basis for their treaty of alliance. These profound changes were for Roumania an evident proof that the object that she had pursued in joining the Triple Alliance could no longer be attained, and that she must direct her views and her efforts toward new paths, the more so as the work undertaken by Austria- Hungary assumed a character threatening the essential interests of Roumania. as well as her most legitimate national aspirations. In the presence of so radical a modification of the situation between the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and Roumania the latter resumed her liberty of action. The neutrality which the Royal Government imposed upon itself in consequence of a declaration of war made independent of its will and contrary to its interests was adopted, in the first instance, as a result of assurances given at the outset by the Imperial and Royal Government that the monarchy, in declaring war upon Serbia, was not inspired by a spirit of conquest, and that it had absolutely no territorial acquisitions in view. These assurances were not realized. To-day we are confronted by a situation de facto from which may arise great territorial transformations and political changes of a nature to constitute a grave menace to the security and future of Roumania. The work of peace which Roumania, faithful to the spirit of the Triple Alliance, had attempted to accomplish was thus rendered barren by those who themselves were called upon to support and defend it. In adhering, in 1883, to the group of central powers, Roumania, far from forgetting the ties of blood uniting the people of her kingdom to those Roumanians who are subject to the Austro-Hungarian mon- EOUMANIA. 57 archy, saw in the relations of friendship and alliance which were established between the three great powers a precious pledge for her domestic tranquility as well as for the improvement of the lot of the Roumanians of Austria-Hungary. In effect, Germany and Italy, who had reconstituted their States on the basis of the principle of nationality, could not but recognize the legitimacy of the foundation on which their own existence reposed. As for Austria-Hungary, she found in friendly relations estab- lished between her and the Kingdom of Roumania assurances for her tranquility both in her interior and on our common frontiers, for she was bound to know to what an extent the discontent of her Rou- manian population found an echo among us, threatening every moment to trouble the good relations between the two States. The hope that we based from this point of view upon our adhesion to the triple alliance remained unfulfilled during more than 30 years. The Roumanians of the monarchy not only never saw any reform introduced of a nature to give them even the semblance of satisfac- tion, but, on the contrary, they were treated as an inferior race, and condemned to suffer the oppression of a foreign element which con- stitutes only a minority in the midst of the diverse nationalities con- stituting the Austro-Hungarian State. All the injustices which our brothers were thus made to suffer maintained between our country and the monarchy a continual state of animosity, which the Govern- ment of the kingdom only succeeded in appeasing at the cost of great difficulties and numerous sacrifices. When the present war broke out it might have been hoped that the Austro-Hungarian Government, at least at the last moment, would end by convincing itself of the urgent necessity of putting an end to this injustice, which endangered not only our relations of friendship, but even the normal relations which ought to exist between neighbor- ing States. Two years of war, during which Roumania has preserved her neutrality, proved that Austria-Hungary, hostile to all domestic reform that might ameliorate the life of the peoples she governs, showed herself as prompt to sacrifice them as she was powerless to defend them against external attacks. The war, in which almost the whole of Europe is taking part, raises the gravest problems affecting the national development and the very existence of States. Rouma- nia, from a desire to contribute in hastening the end of the conflict and governed by the necessity of safeguarding her racial interests, finds herself forced to enter into line by the side of those who are able to assure her the realization of her national unity. For these reasons she considers herself from this moment in a state of war with Austria-Hungary. 58 KUSSJA. RUSSIA. RUSSIA against BULGARIA. Proclamation of war against Bulgaria, 19 October, 1915. [International Law Documents, Naval War College, 1917:209.] We hereby make known to all our loyal subjects that the treason of Bulgaria to the Slav cause, prepared with perfidy since the begin- ning of the Avar, has now, although it seemed impossible, become an accomplished fact. Bulgarian troops have attacked our loyal ally. Serbia, already bleeding- in the struggle against a stronger enemy. Russia and the great powers, our allies, tried to dissuade the Gov- ernment of Ferdinand of Coburg from taking this fatal step. The realization of the ancient aspirations of the Bulgar people regarding the annexation of Macedonia was assured to Bulgaria by other mean-, m conformity with Slav interests, but underhand methods, prompted by the Germans, and fratricidal hatred of the Serbians triumphed. Bulgaria, our coreligionist, liberated but a short time ago from the Turkish yoke b}' the fraternal love of the Russian people, openly took sides with the enemies of the Christian faith. Slavism, and Russia. The Russian people regard with sorrow the treason of Bulgaria, which was so near to it until these last few days. and. with bleeding heart, it draws its sword against her, leaving the fate of the betrayer of the Slav cause to the just punishment of God. RUSSIA against TURKEY. Xote on the occasion, of war with Turkey, 3 November, 1914. [Revue Oenerale de Droit International Public, Documents, 22:6.] Germany and Austria, in their futile struggle against Russia, have sought to incite Turkey against that power. Immediately after the perfidious attack by the Turkish fleet, conducted by German officers, the Russian ambassadors at Constantinople received orders to leave the Ottoman Empire with all the personnel of the embassy and of the Russian consulates. It is with a perfect and confident tran- quility, and invoking the aid of God, that Russia will meet this new aggression of the ancient persecutors of the Christian religion and all Slav peoples. It is not for the first time that the valiant armies of Russia will have triumphed over the Turkish hordes. They will know again how to chastise the rcr-Mess enemy of our fatherland. SERBIA SIAM. 59 SERBIA. SERBIA against BULGARIA. Notification of a state of war icith Bulgaria, 16 October, 1915. [Revue Generale de Droit International Public, Documents, 23 : 150.] Serbia, having been attacked by the Bulgars without declaration of war on the part of the Government at Sofia, is obliged to consider herself as being, by the force of circumstances, in a state of war with Bulgaria. The official date of the state of war between Serbia and Bulgaria is 14 October, 1915, at 8 o'clock in the morning. SERBIA against GERMANY. Notification of the existence of a state of war between- Serbia and Germany, dated 30 November, 1917. [Archives of the Department of State.] Referring to your letter of 6 October, 1917, concerning the request of the Serbian Military Mission that it be permitted to recruit Serbians in the United States for military service under the Serbian flag on the Saloniki front, I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a note received from the Serbian legation at this capital containing the information that the Serbian Government considers that a state of war between Serbia and Germany " exists since 6 August, 1914." SERBIA against TURKEY. Proclamation against Turkey, 8 January, 1915. [Serbian Official Journal, 8 Jan., 1015; see also Revue Generate de Droit International Public, Documents, 22:103.] Turkey, having declared a holy war on Serbia and its allies, treaties, conventions, and agreements concluded between Turkey and Serbia cease to have effect; thus the treaty of 1 March, 1914, ter- minates from the 1st of December. SIAM. SIAM against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY AND GERMANY. Notification of declaration of war against Germany and Austria- Hungary, 22 July, 1917. [Official U. S. Bulletin, No. 62, p. 1.] A telegram to the Department of Slate from the American lega- tion at Bangkok, dated 22 July, states that Siam declared war [-gainst Germany and Austria about G o'clock that da v. German 60 TURKEY. and Austrian subjects were being interned. The German and Austrian legations were protected by special guards. All German ships were interned at once. TURKEY. TURKEY against BOUMANIA. Notification of declaration of war against Roumania, delivered to the Roumanian consul at Constantinople, 8 p. m., 31 August, 1916. [Revue Generale de Droit International Public, Documents, 23 : 199.] The council of Ottoman ministers met on 28 August, 1916, and decided to declare war on Roumania. This decision was imme- diately sanctioned by an irade of the Sultan. [Telegram to the Department of State from Constantinople, received 2 September, 1910.] Secretary or State, Washington, 2053, 30 August, 6 p. m. Urgent. Ottoman Council of Ministers yesterday adopted decision subse- quently sanctioned by Imperial decree by which Turkey in common action with Germany and Bulgaria declares war on Roumania. Philip. TURKEY against ALLIES. Notification of (led a rat ion of tear against allies, 16 November, WlJf. [From a despatch to the Department of State from Constantinople, dated 16 November, 1914.] On the 11th instant, a formal declaration of war was made by Imperial Irade. I have the honor to enclose herewith copy and trans- lation of a proclamation issued on the 12th instant, declaring a holy war. This manifesto was undoubtedly calculated to inflame the religious fanaticism of the Moslems and a demonstration was made by them on the 14th which forms the subject of a separate despatch. TURKEY against GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE and RUSSIA. Manifesto of II. I. 31. the Sultan, proclaiming a Holy War, 12 November, 191 [. [Translated from La Turquie, Constantinople, 13 November, 1914.] To my army, to my navy : Following the declaration of war between the Great Powers, I called you to arms to defend — in case of necessity — against enemies TURKEY. 61 seeking to take advantage of circumstances to defend our Govern- ment and our territories which have always been the object of il- legal attacks. While we were living in armed neutrality, the Rus- sian fleet, which was equipped to lay mines at the outlet of the Black Sea, unexpectedly opened fire on our fleet which was maneuvering. This attack was contrary to international law and while one should expect that Russia would make amends, both the said State and her allies, the English and the French, broke off their diplomatic rela- tions with our Government, in recalling their ambassadors. Immedi- ately thereafter, Russian soldiers attacked our eastern frontier; the allied English and French fleet fired on the Dardanelles, and the English ships on Akaba. As a result of these treacherous acts of hostility, repeated one after the other, we have been obliged to break the peace that we always wanted, to take arms to defend our legal interests in allying ourselves to Germany and Austria-Hungary. The Russian Government has caused many territorial losses to the Imperial Government in the last three centuries. On every occasion it has sought to destroy by war and by a thousand kinds of devices every force which could increase our national power. The Russian, French, and English Governments which by their oppressive dominations bring forth groans from millions of Mo- hammedans attached to our Caliphate have never ceased to nourish evil intentions toward our Caliphate and they have been the cause and the instigators of all the disasters that have befallen us. This, then, is the great war that we have undertaken to put to an end, with God's help, to the attacks directed against our Caliphate and against the other rights of our Empire.' Thanks to Him. and to the spiritual assistance of our prophet, our fleet in the Black Sea, and our brave soldiers at the Dardanelles, at Akaba, and in the Caucasus have struck the first blow against the enemy, which increases our belief in our victory in the path of righteousness which is with us. To-day the countries and the armies of our enemies are crushed under the victorious feet of our allies, which tends to confirm our conviction. My heroic soldiers ! \ Do not abandon for a single instant your resolution, your energy, and sacrifices in this holy war which we have declared in defense of our beloved religion and fatherland. Attack the enemy like lions be- cause on your victory depends the life and the protection of my Gov- ernment and of 300,000,000 of Moslems whom I have called to the great holy war by a holy fetva. / In the mesdjids, the mosques, the hearts of 300,000.000 of innocent and oppressed Mohammedans, addressing prayers and invocations to the Creator, are with you. Soldiers, my children ! 62 TURKEY. The duty which is incumbent on you to-day has not been assumed by an}^ army in the world. In fulfilling this duty, show that you are the descendants of the Ottoman armies who at one time made the world tremble in order that the enemy of religion and of the state may not dare to foul our sacred soil and may not be able to disturb the tranquility of the sacred ground of Hedjaz which holds the Kaaba of God and the sacred tomb of the Prophet. Show clearly the ex- istence of a Turkish Army and Navy which knows how to scorn death for their king, and which knows how to defend by arms their religion, their country, and their military honor. Eight and justice are on our side and since enmity and oppression are on the side of our enemies there is no doubt that the protection of God and the aid of the Prophet are ours to destroy our enemies. We will come out of this Holy War a state strong and 'glorious, having repaired its, losses of the past. Do not forget that you are the brothers in arms of the two most courageous and strong armies in the world with whom we march in this war. Let those who may fall on the field of honor carry to those who before them have poured out their blood for their country good news of victory. Let the sword of the surviving heroes be sharpened. MOHEMED EECHAD. Proclamation of war against Great Britain, Russia, and France, 14 November, 191^. [Translated from the Corriere della Sera, 16 November, 1914.] Official Note Issued by the Turkish Government in Reply to the Circular Addressed, by Sir Edward Grey to the Powers. England complains that Turkey, without any preliminary notice, bought two warships from Germany. It should be borne in mind, however, that before war was declared the English Government ordered the seizure of two dreadnaughts that were being built for Turkey in British yards, and that one of these dreadnaughts, the Sultan Osman, was seized half an hour before the appointed time when the Turkish flag was to have been raised over the ship, and that finally no indemnity was paid for these confiscations. It is natural, therefore, that Turkey, finding itself deprived of the two warships that were considered indispensable for the defense of the Empire, hastened to remedy the loss by acquiring the two ships offered in a friendly spirit by the German Government. England complains of the closing of the Dardanelles. But the responsibility for this act falls on the British Government, as will appear from the following reasons, which determined the Turkish TURKEY. 63 Government to take the final decision: In spite of the neutrality of Turkey, England, under the pretext that German officers were serv- ing on Turkish ships, declared officially that Turkish war vessels would be considered as hostile craft and would be attacked by the British fleet anchored at the entrance of the Straits. In view of this hostile declaration Turkey found itself compelled to close the Dardanelles in order to insure the safety of the capital. And as to the claims of England, it is evident that the presence of German officers on the Turkish warships was a question of internal politics and should not, therefore, have given rise to any protest on the part of a foreign power. (The note goes on to say that England, though asked to intervene in behalf of Turkey during the Balkan war, did everything that was in its power to bring about the downfall of the Turkish Empire. And when Adrianople was recaptured by the Turkish Array, the British prime minister did not hesitate to threaten Turkey with col- lective punishment on the part of the great powers if the city were not evacuated by the Turkish forces. The note continues as follows :) The designs of the British are not limited to the countries of Europe; they extend to the Gulf of Persia. England has carried out its plan of impairing the sovereign rights of Turkey and of opening up a way of access into Arabia, for a long time coveted by the English. Faithful to its policy of hostility England has ever opposed the attempts at reforms in Turkey. It exerted all its influence to pre- vent the powers from furnishing expert technical help to the Turkish Government. The Kaiser alone, disregarding the intrigues of Great Britain, authorized S. E. Liman von Sanders, Pasha, to reorganize the Turkish Army, that army which is challenging the British forces. (After having recalled the Franco-British convention of 1904, which " passed a sentence of death on Morocco and on Egypt," and j he agreement with Russia in reference to Persia, the note concludes:) England for more than a century has been striving to destroy the freedom of the Moslem so as to open up their countries to the greedy exploitation of the British merchants. The English Govern- ment, pursuing its program of hatred against the Moslem States, has succeeded in giving to its policy a religious color which insures to it the support and the adhesion of the English people, puritanic and fanatical. Let us be grateful to God who has given us the opportunity of vic- toriously defending the welfare of Islam against its three ruthless enemies, England, Russia, and France. 9283S— 19 5 64 TURKEY. TURKEY against GREAT BRITAIN, RUSSIA, FRANCE, MONTENEGRO, and SERBIA. Proclamation of a Holy War, the " Fetva" 15 November, 1914. [Translated from the Corriere della Sera, 16 November, 1914.] Constantinople, 15 Nov., 191$. Sixty thousand persons or thereabouts participated to-day in a mass meeting organized by several patriotic associations. The dif- ferent corporations that took part in the event marched to Fatickh Square, in the old Stamboul, where an immense crowd had assembled. In the mosque of Fatickh the "Fetva" proclaiming the Holy War was read by a special delegation of the Sheik ul Islam. The text of the " Fetva," drawn in the form of answers and questions, as re- quired by the rules of Islam, is as follows : " If several enemies unite against Islam, if the countries of Islam are sacked, if the Moslem populations are massacred or made captive, and if in this case the Padishah in conformity with the sacred words of the Koran proclaims the Holy War, is a participation in this war a duty for all Moslems, old and young, cavalry and infantry ? Must the Mohammedans of all countries of Islam hasten with their bodies and possessions to the Djat?" (Jehad) (Holy War). Answer. " Yes." "The Moslem subjects of Russia, of France, of England, and of all the countries that side with them in their land and sea attacks dealt against the Caliphate for the purpose of annihilating Islam, must these subjects, too, take part in the Holy War against the re- spective governments from which they depend?" Answer. " Yes." "Those who, at a time when all Moslems are summoned to fight, avoid the struggle and refuse to join in the Holy War. ar^ they ex- posed to the wrath of God. to great misfortunes, and to the deserved punishment ? " Answer. " Yes." " If the Moslem subjects of the said countries should take up arms against the Government of Islam, would they commit an unpar- donable sin, even if they have been driven to the war by threats of extermination uttered against themselves and their families?" Answer. " Yes." " The Moslems who in the present war are under England, France, Russia, Serbia, Montenegro, and those who give aid to these countries by waging war against Germany and Austria, allies of Turkey, do they deserve to be punished by the wrath of God as being the cause of harm and damage to the Caliphate and to Islam?" Answer. " Yes." UNITED STATES. 65 UNITED STATES. UNITED STATES against AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Declaration of war against Austria-Hung ary , 5.03 p. m., 7 December, 1911} [Public Resolution No. 17, 65th Congress.] Sixty-fifth Congress of the United States of America, al the second session, begun and held at the city of Washington on Monday, the 3d day of Decemher, 1917. Joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government and the Government and people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same. Whereas the Imperial and Koyal Austro-Hungarian Government has committed repeated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America : Therefore be it Resolved by. the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a state of war is hereby declared to exist between the United States of America and the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government; and to bring the conflict, to a successful termination all the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States. Champ Clark, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Thomas R. Marshall., Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate. Approved, 7th of December, 1917. Woodrow Wilson. Proclamation of war against Austria-Hungary, 11 December, 1917. [Official U. S. Bulltin, No. 1S3, p. 1.] By the President of the United States of America. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas the Congress of the United States, in the exercise of the constitutional authority vested in them, have resolved, by joint reso- 1 The resolution was signed by President Wilson at 5.03 p. m., 7 Dec, 1917. (New York Times, 8 Dec, 1917, p. 1, a.) 66 UNITED STATES. Jution of the Senate and House of Representatives bearing date of December 7, 1917, as follows : Whereas the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government lias com- mitted repeated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America : Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That a state of War is hereby declared to exist between the United States of America and the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hnngarian Government; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and -the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government; and to bring the con- flict to a successful termination all the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States. Whereas, by sections 1067, 1068, 1069, and 1070 of the Revised Statutes, provision is made relative to natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of a hostile nation or government, being males of the age of 11 years and upwards, who shall be in the United States and not actually naturalized; Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim to all whom it may concern that a state of war exists between the United States and the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government; and I do specially direct all officers, civil or military, of the United States that they exercise vigilance and zeal in the discharge of the duties incident to such a state of war; and I do, moreover, earnestly appeal to all American citizens that they, in loyal devotion to their country, dedicated from its foundation to the principles of liberty and justice, uphold the laws of the land and give undivided and willing support to those measures which may be adopted by the constitutional authorities in prosecuting the war to a successful issue and in obtaining a secure and just peace; And, acting under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the United States and the aforesaid sections of the Revised Statutes, I do hereby further proclaim and direct that the conduct to be observed on the part of the United States toward all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of Austria-Hungary, being males of the age of 11 years and upward who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, shall be as follows : All natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of Austria-Hungary, being males of 14 years and upwards, who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, are enjoined to preserve the peace toward the United States and to refrain from crime against the public safety, and from violating the laws of the United States and of the States and Territories thereof, and to refrain from actual UNITED STATES. 67 hostility or giving information, aid, or comfort to the enemies of the United States, and to comply strictly with the regulations which are hereby or which may be from time to time promulgated by the Presi- dent ; and so long as they shall conduct themselves in accordance with law they shall be undisturbed in the peaceful pursuit of their lives and occupations, and be accorded the consideration due to all peace- ful and law-abiding persons, except so far as restrictions may be necessary for their own protection and for the safety of the United States; and toward such of said persons as conduct themselves in accordance with law all citizens of the United States are enjoined to preserve the peace and to treat them with all such friendliness as may be compatible with loyalty and allegiance to the United States. And all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of Austria-Hungary, being males of the age of 14 years and upward, who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, who fail to conduct themselves as so enjoined, in addition to all other penalties prescribed by law, shall be liable to restraint, or to give security, or to remove and depart from the United States in the manner prescribed by sec- tions 4069 and 4070 of the Eevisecl Statutes, and as prescribed in regulations duly promulgated by the President; And pursuant to the authority vested in me, I hereby declare and establish the following regulations, which I find necessary in the premises and for the public safety : (1) No native, citizen, denizen, or subject of Austria-Hungary, being a male of the age of 14 years and upward and not actually naturalized, shall depart from the United States until he shall have received such permit as the President shall prescribe, or except under order of a court, judge, or justice, under sections 4069 and 4070 of the Revised Statutes; (2) No such person shall land in or enter the United States, ex- cept under such restrictions and at such places as the President may prescribe ; (3) Every such person of whom there may be reasonable cause to believe that he is aiding or about to aid the enemy, or who may be at large to the clanger of the public peace or safety, or who violates or attempts to violate, or of whom there is reasonable ground to be- lieve that he is about to violate any regulation duly promulgated by the President, or any criminal law of the United States, or of the States or Territories thereof, will be subject to summary arrest by the United States marshal, or his deputy, or such other officers as the President shall designate, and to confinement in such penitentiary, prison, jail, military camp, or other place of detention as may be directed bv the President. 68 UNITED STATES. This proclamation and the regulations herein contained shall ex- tend and apply to all land and water, continental or insular, in any- way within the jurisdiction of the United States. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done in the District of Columbia this 11th of December, A. D. 1917, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and forty-second. Woodrow Wilson. By the President: Robert Lansing, Secretary of State. UNITED STATES against GERMANY. Declaration of war against Germany, 1.18 p. m., 6 April, 1917. 1 [Public Resolution No. 1, 65th Cong.] [S.J. Res. 1.] Sixty-fifth Congress of the United States of America. At the first session begun and held at the city of Washington on Monday, the 2d day of April, 1917. Joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial Ger- man Government and the Government and the people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same. Whereas the Imperial German Government has committed re- peated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America : Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United. States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of war be- tween the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally de- clared ; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against *The resolution was signed by President Wilson at 1.18 p. m., 6 Apr., 1917. (New York Times, 7 Apr., 1917, p. 1, h.) The Judge Advocate General of the Army has delivered the following opinion : Upon the question raised as to the " date of commencement of the present war," with references to the action which should be taken on claims of officers and enlisted men of property destroyed in the military service under the act of Congress approved Mar. 3, 1885, providing that the act " shall not apply to losses sustained in time of war or hostilities with Indians." Held, that the date of the commencement of the present war should be regarded as the date of approval of the joint resolution of Congress of Apr. 6, 1917 (Pub. No. 1, 65th Cong.), formally declaring a state of war as existing between the United States and the Imperial German Government. (18-^61, J. A. G., 30 June, 1917. Official U. S. Bulletin, No. 120, p. 6.) " The words ' the beginning of the war,' as used herein, shall be deemed to mean midnight ending the day on whicli Congress has declared or shall declare war or the existence of a state of war." Act Oct. 6, 1917 (Trading with the enemy act), sec. 2. UNITED STATES. 69 the Imperial German Government ; and to bring the conflict to a suc- cessful termination all the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States. Champ Clark, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Thos. R. Marshall, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate. Approved, April 6, 1917. Woodrow Wilson. Proclamation of war with Germain/, 6 April, 1017. Br the President of the United States or America. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas the Congress of the United States in the exercise of the constitutional authority vested in them have resolved, by joint reso- lution of the Senate and House of Representatives bearing date this day " That the state of war between the United States and the Im- perial German Government which has been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared"; Whereas it is provided by section 4067 of the Revised Statutes as follows : Whenever there is declared a war between the United States and any foreign nation or Government, or any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States by any for- eign nation or Government, and the President makes public proclamation of the event, all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation or Gov- ernment, being males of the age of fourteen years and upwards, who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as alien enemies. The Presi- dent is authorized, in any such event, by his proclamation thereof, or other public act, to direct the conduct to be observed on the part of the United States toward the aliens who become so liable; the manner and degree of the restraint to which they shall be subject, and in what cases, and upon what security their residence shall be permitted, and to provide for the removal of those who, not being permitted to reside within the United States, refuse or neglect to depart therefrom ; and to establish any such regulations which are found necessary in the premises and for the public safety ; Whereas by sections 4068, 4069, and 4070 of the Revised Statutes, further provision is made relative to alien enemies; Xow, therefore. I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim to all whom it may concern that a state of war exists between the United States and the Im- 70 UNITED STATES. perial German Government; and I do specially direct all officers, civil or military, of the United States that they exercise vigilance and zeal in the discharge of the duties incident to such a state of war; and I do, moreover, earnestly appeal to all American citizens that they, in loyal devotion to their country, dedicated from its foundation to the principles of liberty and justice, uphold the laws of the land, and give undivided and willing support to those meas- ures which may be adopted by the constitutional authorities in prosecuting the war to a successful issue and in obtaining a secure and just peace; And, acting under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the United States and the said sections of the Revised Statutes, I do hereby further proclaim and direct that the conduct to be observed on the part of the United States toward all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of Germany, being male of the age of 14 years and upwards, who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, who for the purpose of this proclamation and under such sections of the Revised Statutes are termed alien enemies, shall be as follows : All alien enemies are enjoined to preserve the peace toward the United States and to refrain from crime against the public safety, and from violating the laws of the United States and of the States and Territories thereof, and to refrain from actual hostility or giving information, aid, or comfort to the enemies of the United States, and to comply strictly with the regulations which are hereby or which may be from time to time promulgated by the President; and so long as they shall conduct themselves in accordance with law, they shall be undisturbed in the peaceful pursuit of their lives and occupations and be accorded the consideration due to all peaceful and law-abiding persons, except so far as restrictions may be neces- sary for their own protection and for the safety of the United States; and towards such alien enemies as conduct themselves in accordance with law, all citizens of the United States are enjoined to preserve the peace and to treat them with all such friendliness as may be compatible with loyalty and allegiance to the United States. And all alien enemies who fail to conduct themselves as so enjoined, in addition to all other penalties prescribed by law, shall be liable to restraint or to give security, or to remove and depart from the United States in the manner prescribed by sections 4069 and 4070 of the Re- vised Statutes, and as prescribed in the regulations duly promulgated by the President; And pursuant to the authority vested in me, I hereby declare and establish the following regulations, Avhich I find necessary in the premises and for the public safety : UNITED STATES. 7 1 (1) An alien enemy shall not have in his possession, at any time or place, any firearm, weapon, or implement of war, or component part thereof, ammunition, maxim or other silencer, bomb or explosive or material used in the manufacture of explosives; (2) An alien enemy shall not have in his possession at any time or place, or use or operate any aircraft or wireless apparatus, or any form of signaling device, or any form of cipher code, or any paper, document or book written or printed in cipher in which there may be invisible writing; (3) All property found in the possession of an alien enemy in vio- lation of the foregoing regulations shall be subject to seizure by the United States; (4) An alien enemy shall not approach or be found within one-half of a mile of any Federal or State fort, camp, arsenal, aircraft station, Government or naval vessel, navy yard, factory, or workshop for the manufacture of munitions of war or of any products for the use of the Army or Navy; (5) An alien enemy shall not write, print, or publish any attack or threat against the Government or Congress of the United States, or either branch thereof, or against the measures or policy of the United States, or against the person or property of any person in the mili- tary, naval, or civil service of the United States, or of the States or Territories, or of the District of Columbia, or of the municipal governments therein ; (6) An alien enemy shall not commit or abet any hostile act against the United States, or give information, aid, or comfort to its enemies ; (7) An alien enemy shall not reside in or continue to reside in, to remain in, or enter any locality which the President may from time to time designate by Executive order as a prohibited area in which residence by an alien enemy shall be found by him to constitute a danger to the public peace and safety of the United States, except by permit from the President and except under such limitations or restrictions as the President may prescribe ; (8) An alien enemy whom the President shall have reasonable cause to believe to be aiding or about to aid the enemy, or to be at large to the danger of the public peace or safety of the United States or to have violated or to be about to violate any of these regulations, shall remove to any location designated by the President by Executive order, and shall not remove therefrom without permit, or shall depart from the United States if so required by the President ; (9) No alien enemy shall depart from the United States until he shall have received such permit as the President shall prescribe, or except under order of a court, judge, or justice, under sections 4069 and 4070 of the Revised Statutes ; 72 UNITED STATES. (10) No alien enemy shall land in or enter the United States, ex- cept under such restrictions and at such places as the President may prescribe ; (11) If necessary to prevent violation of these regulations, all alien enemies will be obliged to register; (12) An alien enemy whom there may be reasonable cause to believe to be aiding or about to aid the enemy, or who may be at large to the danger of the public peace or safety, or who violates or who attempts to violate, or of whom there is reasonable ground to believe that he is about to violate any regulation duly promulgated by the President, or any criminal law of the United States, or of the States or Territories thereof, will be subject to summary arrest by the United States marshal, or his deputy, or such other officer as the President shall designate, and to confinement in such penitentiary, prison, jail, military camp, or other place of detention as may be directed by the President. This proclamation and the regulations herein contained shall ex- fend and apply to all land and water, continental or insular, in any way within the jurisdiction of the United States. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this Gth day of April, in the year of our Lord 1917, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and forty-first. [seal.] Woodrow Wilson. By the President: Robert Lansing, Secretary of State. SEVERANCES OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY with JAPAN. Instructions in regard to Japan. 24 August, 1914- I Austro-Hungarian Red Book; LXIX.l Count Berchtold to Baron Miiller, Tokio. [Telegram.] Vienna, 24 August, 191 ' 4- The commander of H. M. S. Elisabeth has been instructed to par- ticipate in the action at Tsingtau. In view of Japan's action against our ally, the German Empire, I re- quest you to ask for your passports, notify consulates, and leave Japan for America together with our colony and the staffs of embassy and consulates. You will place our subjects and interests under the protection of the American ambassador. Passports will be handed to Japanese ambassador here. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY with PORTUGAL. Notification of the severance of diplomatic relations with Portugal, dated 16 August, 1918. [Telegram to the Department of State from Lisbon.] Secretary of State, Washington, 16 August — 10 a. m. Department's telegram 361, 30 July. Germany declared war against Portugal on 9 March, 1916. Austria has not declared war on Portugal, but by virtue of her alliance with Germany, severed dip- lomatic relations with Portugal on 15 March, 1916. the Austrian minister leaving Lisbon the following day. Birch. (73) 74 AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY with SERBIA. Notification of severance of diplomatic relations with Serbia, 25 July, 191k. [Austro-Hungarian Red Book, No. XXIV.] Baron von Giesl to Count Berchtold. [Telegram.] Semlix, 25 July, 191\. The reply of the Royal Serbian Government to our demands of the 23d instant being inadequate, I have broken off diplomatic relations with Serbia and have left Belgrade with the staff of the legation. The reply was handed to me at 5.58 p. m. Notification of Austro-Hungarian severance of diplomatic relations, .:■', July, 191 If. [Serbian Blue Book.] No. 31. — M. Pashiteh, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to All the Royal Legations. Belgrade, 12/25 July, 19U. To-day at 5.45 p. m. I delivered the answer to the Austro-Hun- garian note. You will receive to-night the exact text. You will see that Ave have gone as far as we could go, even to the extreme limit. When he received the note, the minister of Austria-Hungary de- clared that he must compare it with the instructions and that he would give me the answer immediately. As soon as I had returned to the ministry, the minister of Austria-Hungary informed me by letter that he was not satisfied with our answer, and that he would leave Belgrade this very evening with all the personnel of the le- gation. He intrusts to the minister of Germany the protection of the legation with all the furnishings and the archives, as well as the protection of the Austro-Hungarian subjects and interests in Serbia. Finally, he states that by the delivery of his letter diplomatic re- lations between Serbia and Austria-Hungary are completely broken. The Royal Government has summoned the Skupshtina for the 14/27 of July at Nish, whither are going to-night all the ministries with their officials. In the name of the King, the Hereditary Prince has signed the order of mobilization for the army; to-morrow or the day following, a proclamation will be published in which citizens who are not soldiers are invited to remain quietly at home, and the soldiers to join the colors and to defend Serbia in the measure of their strength, in case she should be attacked. BRLGIUM. 75 AUSTRIA-HUNGARY with UNITED STATES. Note severing diplomatic relations with United States, 8 April, 1917. Charge Grew to the Secretary of State. [International Law Documents, Naval War College, 1917 : 52.] American Embassy, Vienna, 8 April, 1017. Minister for foreign affairs has just informed me that the diplo- matic relations between the United States and Austria-Hungary are broken and has handed me passports for myself and the mem- bers of the embassy. He states that we may leave the Monarchy at your convenience and that every possible courtesy will be ex- tended. Am telegraphing consuls to arrange their affairs and pro- ceed to Vienna with a view to leaving for Switzerland if possible at end of week. Following is translation of text of note handed me by minister: Imperial and Royal Ministry of the Imperial and Royal House and of Foreign Affairs, Vienna, 8 April, ID 17. Since the United States of America has declared that a state of war exists between it and the Imperial German Government, Austria-Hungary, as ally of the German Empire, has decided to break off the diplomatic relations with the United States, and the Imperial and Royal Embassy in Washing- ton has been instructed to inform the Department of State to that effect. While regretting under these circumstances to see a termination of the personal relations which he has had the honor to held with the charge 1 d'affaires of the United States of America, the undersigned does not fail to place at the former's disposal herewith the passport for the departure from Austria- Hungary of himself and the other members of the embassy. At the same time the undersigned avails himself of the opportunity to renew to the charge d'affaires the expression of his most perfect consid- eration. To Mr. Joseph Clakk Grew, Charge" d' Affaires of the United States of America. CZERNIN. Grew. BELGIUM. BELGIUM with GERMANY. Note severing diplomatic relations with Germany, 4 August, 191 4. [Belgian Gray Book, No. 31.] Monsieur Davigncn, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Herr von Below Saleske, German Minister. [Translation.] Brussels, 4 August, 1914- Sin : I have the honor to inform your excellency that from to-day the Belgian Government are unable to recognize your diplomatic 76 BOLIVIA. status and cease to have official relations with you. Your excellency will find inclosed the passports necessary for your departure with the staff of the legation. (Signed) Davignon. BOLIVIA. BOLIVIA with GERMANY. Note severing diplomatic relation* with Germany \ 1% April, 1017. [Associated Press despatch, 14 April, 1017.] La Paz, Bolivia, 1^ April. The German minister and his staff have been handed their pass- ports by the Bolivian Government, with a note declaring that diplo- matic relations between Bolivia and Germany have been severed. The note denounces the attacks of German submarines on neutral vessels as violations of international law and of The Hague con- vention. It recalls that the Bolivian minister to Berlin was on board the Holland-Lloyd liner Tubantia when that vessel was sunk in neutral waters a year ago. The note concludes: Your excellency will understand that although we regret the breach of diplo- matic relations between Bolivia and the German Empire, such relations have become insupportable under existing circumstances. In consequence your excel- lency will find herewith passports for yourself and the members of your legation. The note declares that German subjects and property will enjoy all liberties guaranteed by law, provided that they do not commit any act of delinquency, either collectively or as individuals. Xotifi'-atfon of the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, 14 April, 1917. Bolivian Minister to the Secretary of State. [Archives of (he Department of State.] Legation of Bolivia, Washington, D. C, U April, 1917. Sir : I have the honor to inform your excellency that my Gov- ernment, on yesterday, delivered his passport to the German minister and declared the diplomatic relations between Bolivia and the German Empire to be broken off. When my Government received the communication of the Im- perial Government of Germany relative to the unrestricted use of its submarines, it not only protested against such a resolution but declared that on this question it stood with the Government of the United States in the defense of the neutral rights and the laws of mankind ignored by the German Government. The rupture of re- BRAZIL. 77 lations consummated to-day is the natural consequence of the atti- tude taken by Bolivia which gladly sides with the Government of the United States in the holy cause of the defense of right and justice against the mastery of force and violence. I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to your excellency the sentiments of my most distinguished consideration. T. Calderon. To His Excellency the Secretary or State, Washington, D. C. BRAZIL. BRAZIL with GERMANY. X at if cat ion of severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, 11 April, 1917. ' [International Law Documents, Naval War College, 1917:64.] Rio de Janeiro, 11 April, 1917. Considering that the inquiry and the conclusions cabled by the legation at Paris on the subject of torpedoing of the steamer Parana established the fact that the Parana was proceeding under reduced speed, was illuminated outside and inside, including the shield with the name "Brazil," and Considering that the steamer received no warning to stop, accord- ing to the unanimous deposition of the crew, and Further, that the steamer was torpedoed and was shelled five times, and that the submarine made no attempt to save life, Then, in the presence of such aggravating circumstances and in accord with the note of 9 February and the telegram of 13 February sent by the Brazilian Government to the legation at Berlin, the Brazilian Government severs relations with German}^. Notification of the severance of diplomatic relation* with Germain;, 12 April, 1917. The Brazilian Minister to the Secretary of State. [Archives of the Department of State.] Embassy or Brazil, "Washington, 12 April, 1917. ]NIr. Secretary or State: I have this moment received from my Government instructions to advise that of your excellency that on yesterday his passports were handed to the minister of Germany at Rio de Janeiro and a telegram was sent to our minister at Berlin instructing him to ask for his, thus bringing to an end the diplomatic relations of Brazil with that Empire. 78 CHINA. By note of 9 February last. Brazil protested against the manner in which the German Government seeks to hamper maritime com- merce with the enemy countries and declared that Government re- sponsible for injuries to persons or property of Brazilian citizens in the lawful exercise of their rights on the open seas if found to be in violation of the principles of international law or of the conven- tions signed between the two countries. And in order to remove all doubts on that point our legation at Berlin, on 13 February, notified the German Government that " we consider essential to the mainte- nance of relations with Germany that no Brazilian vessel be attacked in any way and under any pretense whatsoever, even that of carry- ing contraband of war, the belligerents having included everything in that class." My Government was grieved to hear of the sinking of the Brazilian steamer Parana at 11 p. m. on the 8th of this month while nearing the port of Cherbourg at reduced speed and showing the regulation lights and also in large illuminated letters the word " Brazil.*' The ship was not summoned to stop for an examination of her papers and cargo, was torpedoed without warning, five cannon shots being fired into her besides. Although near by and in full sight, the submarine extended no assistance to the shipwrecked crew. Several Brazilians lost their lives, others were injured in that brutal attack on a ship of a neutral country. The President of the United States of Brazil judged that the incident left no room for explanations or diplomatic negotiations with the Government of Germany, toward which that of Brazil ever fulfilled its promises and obligations freely entered into and, to his regret to be sure, resolved to break our diplomatic and commercial relations with the German Empire. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your excellency, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurances of my highest consideration. Domicio de Gam a. To His Excellency Mr. Robert Lansing, Secretary of State of the I' nit erf States of America. CHINA. CHINA with GERMANY. Note severing diplomatic relations with Germany, noon, 14 March, 1017. [Official Documents Relating to the War, Chinese Foreign Office, 1917 : 10.] Chinese Foreign Office to German Minister at Peking, Peking 14 March, 1917. Your Excellency: With reference to the new submarine policy of Germany, the Gov- ernment of the Republic of China, actuated by the desire to further COSTA RICA. 79 the cause of the peace of the world and to maintain the sanctity of international law, addressed a protest to your excellency on 9 Febru- ary and declared that if, contrary to its expectations, its protest was ineffectual, the Chinese Government would be constrained to sever the diplomatic relations at present existing between the two coun- tries. During the lapse of a month no heed has been paid to the pro- test of the Chinese Government in the activities of German sub- marines, which have caused the loss of many Chinese lives. On 10 March a reply was received from your excellency. Although it states that the German Government is willing to open negotiations to arrive at a plan for the protection of Chinese life and property, yet it declares that it is difficult for Germany to cancel her blockade policy and, therefore, is not in accord with the object of the protest, and the Chinese Government, to its deep regret, considers its protest ineffectual. Therefore, the Chinese Government is constrained to sever the dip- lomatic relations at present existing with the German Government. I have the honor to send herewith a passport for your excellency, the members of the legation staff, and their families and retinue, for their protection while leaving Chinese territory. A.s regards the German consular officers, this ministry has in- structed the different commissioners for foreign affairs in the treaty ports to issue them similar passports for leaving the country. I avail, etc. (Signed) Wu-Tixg-Fang. COSTA RICA. COSTA RICA with GERMANY. Executive decree of Costa Rica severing diplomatic relations with the German Government, dated 21 September and published 2°2 September, 1917. [Archives of the Department of State.] Federico Tinoco, Constitutional President of the Republic of Costa Rica. Whereas Costa Rica has profoundly deplored the offenses which German militarism commits systematically in the present war against all the principles resting upon morality and law, liberty and human Avelfare, but has nevertheless in its desire to preserve the strictest neutrality maintained under these circumstances the strictest silence; and Whereas this attitude does not preserve national interests from the effects of the policy of the German Government, whose mission in neutral countries is that of provoking, according to circum- stances, conflicts of either international or internal order : and 92838— 19— G 80 ECUADOR. Whereas it is from all points of view desirable that, in order to cope with this constant danger threatening us as much as possible, we take precautions analagous to those adopted by certain of the Republics of the American Continent, whose interests, at the same time, are firmly linked with ours by the strictest solidarity ; Now, therefore, in accordance with the resolve of the Council of Government, and in exercise of the power conferred upon him by paragraph 9, article 99, of the Constitution of the State, decrees : Sole Article. From this date forward diplomatic relations with the Government of the German Empire are suspended. Ordered communicated and published. Given in the city of San Jose this twenty-first day of September of the year one thousand nine hundred and seventeen. F. Tixoco. Carlos Lara, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Amadeo Johanning, Minister of Government and Police. Manuel F. Jimenez, Minister of Finance and Commerce. E. Brenes Mesen, Minister of Public Instruction. Juan B. Quiros, Minister of Promotion. J. J. Tinoco. Minister of War and Marine. ECUADOR. ECUADOB with GERMANY. Notification of severance of relations with Germany, 8 December, 1917. The Minister of Ecuador to the Secretary of State. [Archives of the Department of State.] No. 47 Legation of Ecuador, Washington, 8 December, 1917. Mr. Secretary of State : It is my very high honor to inform, by or- der of my Government, the Government of the United States through the worthy medium of the Secretary of State, that as a result of inci- dents instigated by German agents in Ecuador which offended the dignity of the nation and the spirit of continental solidarity, the diplomatic relations between my Government and that of Germany have been formally broken. I am pleased to put on record this event which is proof notably of the nation's pride and of the spirit of pan-American solidarity which inspires my Government but also of its deep-seated and decided ad- hesion to the ideas and sentiments that have left a fathomless chasm between the civilized world and the Government of Germany. FRANCE. 81 I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to the Secretary of State the assurances of my highest and most distinguished con- sideration. To Mr. Robert Lansing, Secretary of State, Washington. R. H. Eltzalde. FRANCE. FRANCE with AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Note relating to severance of diplomatic relations with Austria- Hungary, 10 August, 191 If. [Austro-Hungarian Red Book, LXIII.] Count Szecsen to Count Berchtold. [Telegram.] Paris, 10 August, 191 If. Received telegram of 9th August. Immediately communicated contents to M. Doumergue. The minister, having received a similar telegraphic report from M. Du- maine concerning his conversation with you. is satisfied that our troops are not on the French frontier, but says that he has positive information that an Austro-Hungarian army corps has been trans- ported to Germany, thus enabling the latter to withdraw her own troops from the German territories now occupied by our forces. In the minister's view this facilitates the military operations of the Germans. I have repeatedly called the minister's attention to the wording of your reply ; he recognizes that there could be no question of an active participation of our troops in the Franco-German Avar, but insists that the presence of our troops on German territory is undeniable and represents military support to Germany. Under these circumstances, he has instructed the French ambassador in Vienna to ask im- mediately for his passports and to leave Vienna with the entire staff of the embassy to-day. The minister told me that, under the circumstances, my presence- here could be of no avail, but owing to public excitement, might even give rise to unpleasant incidents which he would like to avoid. He offered to have a special train ready to-night for my conveyance out of France. I replied that it would be impossible for me to obtain instructions from you by to-night, but in view of the recall of M. Dumaine, I begged him to have my passports handed to me. 82 TRANCE. Notification of the severance of diplomatic- relations, 11 August, 191.',. [Archives of the Department of State.] Embassy of the French Republic to the United States, Manchester, Mass., 11 August, 191^. Mr. Secretary of State: The Government of the Republic has positive knowledge, despite the declaration of the Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the ambassador of Austria at Paris to the contrary, that Austrian troops have entered Germany on their way to the French frontier. These troops enabling the Berlin Government to use the forces whose place they take in German terri- tory had to be considered by my Government as unquestionably oper- ating against France, in point of law and of fact. The ambassador of the Republic at Vienna has consequently been ordered to ask for his passports. The ambassador of Austria-Hun- gary at Paris has likewise asked for his passports and every ar- rangement has been made by my Government to insure his departing under the usual conditions of international courtesy. I have the honor to bring these events to your excellency's knowl- edge. Be pleased to accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurances of my high consideration. Clausse. His Excellency the Honorable W. J. Bryan, Secretary of State of the United States. FRANCE with TURKEY. Notification of the sere ranee of relations with Turkey, 7 November, 19U. [From a despatch to the Department of State from Constantinople.] * * * Early on 30 October, the Russian ambassador demanded his passports and his action was followed by the English and French ambassadors. At their request the Italian ambassador and I called on the Minister of the Interior and urged prompt and courteous action toward the departing ambassadors. This was promised and also that safe conduct should be granted British and French consuls. Russian consuls must remain till Russia has given safe conduct to Ottoman consuls, and neither they nor Russian citizens have yet received permission to depart. GERMANY-GREAT BRITAIN. 83 GERMANY. GEEMANY with ITALY. Notification of the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, dated 2 k May, 1915. [Telegram to the Department of State.] Secretary of State, Washington, 24 May — 6 p. m. Understand that German ambassador has asked for his passports and is leaving Rome to-night. American Embassy, Rome. GERMANY with JAPAN. Note concerning severing diplomatic relations with Japan, 23 August, 191 ^ [Austro-IIungarian Red Book, LXVIII.] Prince Hohenlohe to Count Berchtold. [Telegram.] Berlin, 23 August, 191 4. The Japanese minister here has been informed by the Foreign Office that the German Imperial Government had no intention to reply to the Japanese ultimatum. The German Government has instructed its ambassador in Tokyo to leave Japan upon the expira- tion of the time limit fixejl by Japan for noon to-day. Simul- taneously the Japanese charge d'affaires is to be handed his pass- ports. At noon the charge d'affaires received his passports; he will leave Berlin to-morrow morning with the staff of the embassy. GREAT BRITAIN. GREAT BRITAIN with BULGARIA. Proclamation severing diplomatic relations with Bulgaria, 13 October, 1915. [London Times, 13 Oct., 1915, p. 9f.] His Majesty's Government announce that the Bulgarian minister has been handed his passports and that diplomatic relations between Great Britain and Bulgaria have been broken off. 84 GREECE. GREAT BRITAIN with TURKEY. Notification of severance of relations tvith Turkey, dated 7 No- vember, 1914. [From a despatch to the Department of State from Constantinople.] * * * Early on 30 October, the Russian ambassador demanded his passports and his action was followed by the English and French ambassadors. At their request the Italian ambassador and I called on the Minister of the Interior and urged prompt and courteous action toward the departing ambassadors. This was promised and also that safe conduct should be granted British and French consuls. Russian consuls must remain till Russia has given safe conduct to Ottoman consuls, and neither they nor Russian citizens have yet received permission to depart. GREECE. GREECE with AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. [Text of the note of the Government of Alexander severing diplomatic rela- tions with Austria-Hungary is not available, According to the London Times of 3 July. 1917, it was identical with the note addressed to Germany. See below.] GREECE with AUSTRIA-HUNGARY and TURKEY. Notification of severance of diplomatic relations, 2 July, 1917. [Telegram to the Department of* State from Athens.] Secretary of State, Washington, D. C, 2 July, 12 noon. ■>rl. Minister of Foreign Affairs informs me Greece at war Germany, Bulgaria. Relations broken off other central powers. Droppers. GREECE with GERMANY. Note severing diplomatic relations with Germany, 29 June, 1917. I London Times, 3 July, 1917, p. 7, d.] Greek Charge d' Affaires to German Foreign Office. In consequence of the happily effected union of the two parties in Greece which had hitherto been separated, and in view of the fact that several Greek regiments are taking part in the hostilities on the Balkan front, the Greek Government considers that it is GUATEMALA. 85 no longer possible to maintain official relations with the German Government. (The same mutatis mutandi to Austro-Hungarian Government. ) GREECE with TURKEY. Note severing dipJomatle relation* with Turkey, 29 June, 1917. [See Greece with Austria-Hungary, Supra p. S4.] GUATEMALA. GUATEMALA with GERMANY. [Archives (if the Department of State.] Decree No. 727. Manuel Estrada Cabrera, Constitutional President of the Republic, considering : Whereas under date of 7th March of the current year the Govern- ment of Guatemala presented a formal protest before the Imperial German Government on account of the violation of international law involved in the procedure adopted by the German Admiralty in its submarine warfare in the present European war; a procedure which was officially communicated on the 9th of February of 1917; Whereas the above protest was not only disregarded as to the ces- sation of the above-mentioned method of procedure, but it did not even meet with the courtesy of a reply from the Imperial Govern- ment or from its diplomatic representative in Guatemala; Whereas such manner of proceeding constitutes a complete contra- vention of the rights and interests of Guatemalans, which the Gov- ernment has the sacred obligation to protect and safeguard, and Whereas due to these reasons, it becomes imperative to put in force such measures as will safeguard the dignity and honor of the coun- try and prevent future and positive evils; Therefore : In Cabinet meeting and in conformity to the powers vested in him, Decrees : Article 1. From the present date the existing diplomatic relations with the Imperial German Government are severed. Article 2. To hand his passports to His Excellenc} r Doctor Curt Lehmann, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Ger- many in Guatemala, and to all the persons who compose his family and retinue, fixing a period of eight days in which they have to leave the national territory. At the same time Doctor Manuel Arroyo, the Guatemalan diplomatic representative in Germany will be instructed 86 HAITI. to request from the Imperial Government his respective passport and to leave said country at the earliest possible time. Article 3. To cancel the exequaturs of the German consuls ac- credited to Guatemala and to withdraw the commissions from the national consuls accredited to that Empire. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is intrusted with the compliance of this decree, and he will communicate it to the National Legislative Assembly. Let it be communicated, published, and enacted. Done in the Palace of the Executive Power, in Guatemala, this twenty-seventh day of the month of April of one thousand nine hundred and seventeen. Manuel Estrada C. The Secretary of State in the Department of Finance and Public Credit. G. Aguirre. The Secretary of State in the Department of War. LUIS OVALLE. The Secretary of state in the Department of Public Works. Luis F. Mexdizabal. The Secretary of State in the Department of Gocernment and Justice. J. M. Eeixa Axdrade. The Secretary of State in the Department of Public Educat'oni. J. Ed. Girox. The Secretary of State in the Department of Foreign Relations. Luis Toledo Herrarte. HAITI. HAITI with GERMANY. The American Minister to the Secretary of State. [Paraphrase of telegram to the Department Of State.] From Port October, 1917. { I despatch to the State Department from Lima. No. 2G4. 29 October. 101S.1 The following resolution was finally accepted and adopted by the Congress of Peru : In view of the declarations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and in view of th« principles proclaimed by the Chancellory and the Chambers, Congress approves the rupture of diplomatic relations with the German Empire, pro- posed by the Executive. — Lima, 5 October, 1917. Notification, of severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, 6 October, 1917. [Official U. S. Bulletin. No. 131. p. 4.] Francisco Tudela, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Peru, to the Secretary of State of the United States. Washington, 6 October, 1917. Youb Excellency: From the beginning of the great war. in which the most powerful peoples of the world are involved, the Peruvian PERU. 91 Government has strictly performed the duties imposed upon it by international law and has loyally maintained the neutrality of the Republic, trusting that its neutral rights would in turn be respected by the belligerents. But when the conflagration spread to the Ameri- can continent, notwithstanding the efforts exerted for nearly three years by the United States Government to keep that great people out of the conflict, Peru was confronted by new duties springing from its passionate desire for the continental solidarity that has ever been the goal of its foreign policy, and by the necessity of defending its rights from the new form of maritime warfare set up by Germany. That was the reason why, on receiving notice of the belligerency of the United States caused by the proceedings of the Berlin Govern- ment in violation of international law, the Peruvian Government, far from declaring itself neutral, recognized the justice of the stand taken by the Washington Government. And for the same reason the President of Peru, in his message to Congress, and the minister for foreign affairs, in the Chamber of Deputies, with the express ap- proval of the Parliament, solemnly affirmed the adhesion of our country to the principles of international justice proclaimed by President Wilson. It was the Peruvian Government's wish that the policy of the whole continent be a concerted ratification of the attitude of the Washington Government, which took up the defense of neutral interests and insisted on the observance of international law. But the course of events did not result in joint action; each country shaped its course in defense of its own invaded rights as it was indi- vidually prompted in its adherence to the principles declared by the United States. Peru, for its part, while endeavoring to give prevalence to a uni- form continental policy, maintained with the utmost firmness the integrity of its rights as a sovereign nation in the face of Germany's disregard of the principles of naval warfare. It was the defense of those rights which led it to sever its diplomatic relations with the Imperial Government as the result of an outrage for which it duly but vainly claimed appropriate reparation; the sinking of the vessel Lorton by a German submarine. on the coast of Spain while the ship was plying between neutral ports, engaged in lawful trade, without infringing even the German rules respecting closed zones — unknown to international law. The reluctance of the Imperial Government to meet our just demands according to the general principles of international law; the very arbitrary rules laid clown by that Government; and the unsuccessful presentation of a precedent in an analogous claim favorably entertained by it — these are the facts in which Peru reads the complete lack of justice that marks the course of the German 92 EOUMANIA RUSSIA. Government's polic}' and the sound foundation there is for the effort to check that policy, so as to establish in the world a juridical standard that will forever cause justice to prevail in international relations. The contents of this message and the documents which I shall forward to your excellency will enable your Government to acquaint itself with the fundamental grounds upon which our attitude rests, and also with the negotiations with Germany above referred to, which the Government has now brought to an end by recalling the minister of the Republic at Berlin and delivering his passports to the representative of Germany at this capital, with the express ap- proval of the Parliament. I avail myself of this opportunity to tender to your excellency the assurances of my high and distinguished consideration. Francisco Tudfxa. ROTJMANIA. ROUMANIA with BULGARIA. [No text for the severance of diplomatic relations between Rou mania and Bul- garia is available, but tbe following extract from the Bulgarian declaration of war refers to the occurrence. 1 [Revue Generale de Droit International Public, Documents, 23 : 199.] Finally M. RadefF has been forbidden, since 28 August, to com- municate with his Government. His passports were sent to him with- out the Bulgarian Government having been able to give him at any time instructions with reference to an eventual rupture of relations. On the 30th it was your excellency who demanded his passports and notified of the rupture of diplomatic relations as the natural con- sequence of the event which had preceded. RUSSIA. RUSSIA with BULGARIA. Ultimatum to Bulgaria, 3 October, 1915. [International Documents, Naval War College, 1917 : 208.] Foreign Office to Russian Minister in Bulgaria. The events which are taking place in Bulgaria at this moment give evidence of a definite decision of King Ferdinand's Government to place the fate of its country in the hands of Germany. The presence of German and Austrian officers at the ministry of Avar and on the staff of the army, the concentration of troops in the zone bordering Serbia, and the extensive financial support accepted RUSSIA. 93 from our enemies by the Sofia cabinet, no longer leave any doubt as to the object of the military preparations of Bulgaria. The powers of the entente, who have at heart the realization of the aspirations of the Bulgarian people, have on many occasions warned M. Radoslavoff that any hostile act against Serbia would be con- sidered as directed against themselves. The assurances given by the head of the Bulgarian Cabinet in reply to these warnings are con- tradicted by the facts. The representative of Russia, which is bound to Bulgaria by the imperishable memory of her liberation from the Turkish yoke, can not sanction by his presence preparations for fratricidal aggression against a Slav and allied people. The Russian minister has, there- fore, received orders to leave Bulgaria with all the staffs of legation and consulates if the Bulgarian Government does not within 24 hours openly break with the enemies of the Slav cause and of Russia and does not at once proceed to send away officers belonging to armies of States which are at war with the powers of the entente. Notification of severance of diplomatic relations with Bulgaria, 7 October, 1915. [International Law Documents, Naval War College, 1917 : 209.] Bulgaria's reply to the Russian ultimatum is unsatisfactory. The Russian minister has notified Premier Radoslavoff of a rupture of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Russian interests in Bulgaria have been confided to the Dutch charge d'affaires. Bulgaria's reply was delivered at 2.40 o'clock on the afternoon of 5 October (Tuesday). RUSSIA with ROUMANIA. Notification of severance of relations with Roumania, dated 1 Feb- ruary. 1918. [From a despatch to the Department of State from Paris.] Paris, 1 February, 1918. Secretary or State, Washington, 1 February — 6 p. m. Joint telegram from ministers of United States, England, France, and Italy dated Jassy, 30 January. The President of the Council has to-day communicated the telegram which he addressed to the representatives of our Governments in Roumania informing them of the rupture of diplomatic relations with the Maximalist Govern- ment and the seizure of the Roumanian State funds deposited at Moscow. At the same time he made known to us the request of the Ukrainian Government to send Roumanian troops to Kiev, Poltawa, and Odessa. 94 RUSSIA. RUSSIA with TURKEY. Note regarding severance of diplomatic relations with Turkey* 7 November, 1911 [From despatch to the Department of State from Constantinople.] * * * Early on 30 October, the Russian ambassador demanded his passports and his action was followed by the English and French ambassadors. At their request the Italian ambassador and I called on the Minister of the Interior and urged prompt and cour- teous action toward the departing ambassadors. This was promised and also that safe conduct should be granted British and French consuls. Russian consuls must remain till Russia has given safe con- duct to Ottoman consuls, and neither they nor Russian citizens have yet received permission to depart. Note regarding severance of diplomatic relations with Turkey, 29 October, 191 4. [Second Russian Orange Book. No. 91.] Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Russian Ambassador at Con- stantinople. [Telegram.] Petrograd, 16 (29) October. 1914. The Turks opened hostilities against the unfortified port of Theodosia and the gunboat stationed at the port of Odessa. Consequently, you will please take steps for the departure of our consular officers, placing the protection of our interests in the hands of the Italian ambassador. In this connection you will inform the Porte that as a result of the said hostilities you have been ordered to leave Constantinople with all of your subordinate officers. Communicate to Bordeaux, London, Nish, Sofia, Bucharest, Rome, Athens, and Cettinje. Sazonoff. Notification of breaking diplomatic relations with Turkey, 2 Novem- ber, 1914. [British Pari. Papers, Misc. Xo. 13 (1914) ; 2d Russian Orange Book, Xo. 97.1 Telegram communicated by Count Benckendorff on 2 November, 1914. [Translation.] M. Sazonoff telegraphs on 1 November, 1914, as follows: The Turkish charge d'affaires has just read me the following tele- gram from the Grand Vizier: I request you to inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs that we infinitely regret that an act of hostility, provoked by the Russian fleet, should have com TURKEY. 95 promised the friendly relations of the two countries. You can assure the Imperial Russian Government that the Sublime Porte will not fail to give the question such solution as it entails, and that they will adopt fitting measures to prevent a recurrence of similar acts. You can declare forthwith to the minister that we have resolved no more to allow the imperial fleet to enter the Black Sea. and that we trust that the Russian fleet, on their side, will no longer cruise in our waters. I have the firm hope that the Imperial Russian Government will give proof, on this occurrence, of the same spirit of concilia- tion in the common interests of both countries. I replied to the Turkish charge d'affaires that I most categorically denied what he had just said respecting the initiation of hostilities by the Russian fleet; I told him that I feared it was too late to negotiate; that nevertheless, if the Sublime Porte decided upon the immediate dismissal of all the German military and naval officers and men it might be possible to consider the question, and that dis- cussion might not be impossible to reach some basis of satisfaction to be given by Turkey for the illegal act of aggression against our coasts and for the damage thereby inflicted. I authorized Fahr-Eddin to send a cipher telegram in this sense, but pointed out to him at the same time that the representation he had made in no way altered the situation. Fahr-Eddin will receive his passports to-morrow, and the reply from the Turkish Govern- ment can be sent through the Italian Embassy. TURKEY. TURKEY with BELGIUM. Notes relating to the severance of diplomatic relations with Belgium^ 6 November, 191 If. [Second Belgian Gray Book, No. 62.] M. Davignon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to M. van Ypersele de Strihou, Belgian Minister at Bucharest. [Telegram.] La Havre, 6 November, 191 4- The Turkish minister has asked for his passports. Notify the Belgium minister at Constantinople either directly or through the Roumanian Government to do the same and to leave Turkey with his staff and the consular officials. Davignon. [Second Belgian Gray Book, No. 64.] M. Davignon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to all the Belgian Ministers in. Foreign Countries. La Havre, 9 November, 1914. Sir: The French Government has informed the Belgian Govern- ment of the state of war existing between France and Turkey, and in 92838—19 7 96 UNITED STATES. these circumstances the presence at Havre of the Turkish minister with the Belgian Government became delicate. Understanding the situation in which he was placed by the course of events His Excel- lency Nousret Sadoullah Bey took the initiative by asking for his passports and by putting Turkish interests in Belgium under the protection of the minister of the Netherlands. Under date 6 November, I sent to his excellency the passports which he had asked for, and remarked that, according to the interpre- tation of the Belgian Government, the rupture of diplomatic relations in no way implied a state of war between the two countries. The Belgian minister at Constantinople has received instructions to ask for his passports and leave Turkey. The care of Belgian interests in Turkey has been entrusted to the ambassador of the United States of America. Davignon. TURKEY with UNITED STATES. Note severing diplomatic relations with the United States, 20 April, 1917. [Archives of the Department of State.] Sublime Porte, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Minister, W April, 1917. Mr. Ambassador: The embassy of the United States of America having informed the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs by its note verbale of 8 April, 1917, No. 2122, that its Government is in a state of war with the German Empire, I have the honor to inform your excellency that the Imperial Ottoman Government, ally of this Empire, is obliged to break its diplomatic relations with the Govern- ment of the United States of America beginning from to-day. Please accept, Mr. Ambassador, the assurance of my highest esteem. (Signed) Ahmed Nessimi. His Excellency Mr. Elkus, Ambassador of the United States of America. UNITED STATES. UNITED STATES with GERMANY. Note severing diplomatic relations with Germany, 3 February, 1917. [International Law Documents, Naval War College, 1917 : 222.] The Secretary of State to the German Ambassador. No. 2307. Washington, 3 February, 1917. Excellency: In acknowledging the note with accompany! ng memoranda, which you delivered into my hands on the afternoon UNITED STATES. 97 of 31 January, and which announced the purpose of your Govern- ment as to the future conduct of submarine warfare, I would direct your attention to the following statements appearing in the cor- respondence which has passed between the Government of the United States and the Imperial German Government in regard to submarine warfare. This Government on 18 April, 1916, in presenting the case of the Sussex, declared— If it is still the purpose of the Imperial Government to prosecute relentless and indiscriminate warfare against' vessels of commerce by the use of sub- marines without regard to what the Government of the United States must consider the sacred and indisputable rules of international law and the uni- versally recognized dictates of humanity, the Government of the United States is at last forced to the conclusion that there is but one course it can pursue. Unless the Imperial Government should now immediately declare and effect an abandonment of its present methods of submarine warfare against passen- ger and freight-carrying vessels, the Government of the United States can have no choice but to sever diplomatic relations with the German Empire al- together. In reply to the note from which the above declaration is quoted your excellency's Government stated in a note dated 1 May, 1916 — The German Government, guided by this idea, notifies the Government of the United States that the German naval forces have received the following orders: In accordance with the general principles of visit and search and destruction of merchant vessels recognized by international law, such vessels, both within and without the area declared as naval war zone, shall not be sunk without warning and without saving human lives, unless these ships attempt to escape or offer resistance. But neutrals can not expect that Germany, forced to fight for her existence, shall, for the sake of neutral interests, restrict the use of an effective weapon if her enemy is permitted to continue to apply at will methods of warfare violating the rides of international law. Such a demand would be incom- patible with the character of neutrality, and the German Government is con- vinced that the Government of the United States does not think of making such a demand, knowing that the Government of the United States has repeat- edly declared that it is determined to restore the principle of the freedom of the seas, from whatever quarter it has been violated. To this reply this Government made answer on 8 May, 1916, in the following language : The Government of the United States feels it necessary to state that it takes it for granted that the Imperial German Government does not intend to imply that the maintenance of its newly announced policy is in any way contingent upon the course or result of diplomatic negotiations between the Government of the United States and any other belligerent Government, notwithstanding the fact that certain passages in the Imperial Government's note of the 4th instant might appear to be susceptible of that construction. In order, however, to avoid any possible misunderstanding, the Government of the United States notifies the Imperial Government that it can not for a moment entertain, much 98 URUGUAY. less discuss, a suggestion that respect by German naval authorities for the fights of citizens of the United States upon the high seas should in any way or in the slightest decree lie made contingent upon the conduct of any other Gov- ernment affecting the rights of neutrals and noncombatants. Responsibility in such, matters is single, not joint ; absolute, not relative. To this Government's note of 8 May no reply was made by the Im- perial Government. In one of the memoranda accompanying the note under acknowl- edgment, after reciting certain alleged illegal measures adopted by Germany's enemies, this statement appears: The Imperial Government, therefore, does not doubt that the Government of the United States will understand the situation thus forced upon Germany ny the entente allies' brutal methods of war and by their determination to de- stroy the central powers, and that the Government of the United States will further realize that the uow openly disclosed intentions of the entente allies give back to Germany the freedom of action which she reserved in her note addressed to the Government of the United States on 4 May, 1916. Under these circumstances Germany will meet the illegal measures of her enemies by forcibly preventing, after 1 February, 1917. in a zone around Great Britain. France, Italy, and in the eastern Mediterranean all navigation, that ot neutrals included, from and to England and from and to France, etc. All ships met within the zone will be sunk. In view of this declaration, which withdraws suddenly and with- out prior intimation the solemn assurance given in the Imperial Gov- ernment's note of 1 May, 1916, this Government has no alternative consistent with the dignity and honor of the United States but to take the course which it explicitly announced in its note of 18 April, 1916, it would take in the event that the Imperial Government did not declare and effect an abandonment of the methods of submarine warfare then employed and to which the Imperial Government now purposes again to resort. The President has. therefore, directed me to announce to your ex- cellency that all diplomatic relations between the United States and the German Empire are severed, and that the American ambassador at Berlin will be immediately withdrawn, and in accordance with such announcement to deliver to your excellency your passports. I have, etc, Eobert Lansing. URUGUAY. URUGUAY with GERMANY. Decree severing diplomatic relation* with Germany, 7 October, 1917. [Official U. S. Bulletin, No. 128, p. 1.] Montevideo, 7 October, 1017. In view of the authority granted the executive power by law of the nation of this date, authorizing said power to declare diplomatic and LBJ e '20 URUGUAY. 99 commercial relations broken between Uruguay and the Imperial Gov- ernment and the reasons which have caused the legislative decision which are absolutely shared by the executive power, the President of the Republic at a general cabinet meeting decrees : Article 1. From the date of the present decree diplomatic and commercial relations between Uruguay and the German Imperial Government remain broken. Article '2. That the respective passports be handed over to the diplomatic representative of that Government, all the guarantees for his personal safety being granted to him at the same time until his removal from the country. Article 3. That telegraphic instruction be transmitted to the func- tionaries of the Republic in office in Germany to the effect that they immediately abandon the German territory, requesting the same guarantees which are granted to the German representative by the Government of Uruguay. VlERA. o Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: HAY „ , 2061 . PreservationTechnologiei A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATIOI 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township. PA 1 6066 (724)779-2111