Senate Resolution of February 7, 1917, endorsing President Wilson's Action in severing Diplomatic Relations with Germany
WWI Document Archive > 1916 Documents > Official Communications and Speeches Relating to Peace Proposals 1916-1917 > Senate Resolution of February 7, 1917, endorsing President Wilson's Action in severing Diplomatic Relations with Germany
Senate Resolution of February 7, 1917, endorsing President Wilson's Action in severing Diplomatic Relations with Germany1
WHEREAS the President has, for the reasons stated in his address
delivered to the Congress in joint session on February 3, 1917, severed
diplomatic relations with the Imperial German Government by the
recall of the American Ambassador at Berlin and by handing his
passports to the German Ambassador at Washington; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding this severance of diplomatic intercourse,
the President has expressed his desire to avoid conflict with the Im-
perial German Government; and
WHEREAS the President declared in his said address that if in his
judgment occasion should arise for further action in the premises
on the part of the Government of the United States he would submit
the matter to the Congress and ask the authority of the Congress to
use such means as he might deem necessary for the protection of
American seamen and people in the prosecution of their peaceful
and legitimate errands on the high seas: Therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate approves the action taken by the Presi-
dent as set forth in his address delivered before the joint session of
the Congress, as above stated.
1Congressional Record. February 7, 1917, p. 3046.