ommendation of the
President, Congress declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917. War
was not declared at this time against Germany's allies, Austria, Turkey,
and Bulgaria. A few days later, however, at the instance of Germany,
Austria and Turkey broke off diplomatic relations. On December 7, 1917,
the United States declared war on Austria-Hungary.

Following the declaration of war with Germany, steps were at once taken
to put the country in a position to give effective aid to our
associates, and the President from time to time has requested Congress
to grant authority to do those things that would enable us to take an
active part in the war.

OTHER COUNTRIES ENTER THE WAR.--After the United States entered the
war, many other countries, especially Brazil and some of the Spanish
American countries, either broke off relations with Germany or declared
war against her. Most of these countries had close commercial
relationships with the United States, which would have been seriously
interfered with had they remained neutral.

SPURLOS VERSENKT.--The decision of some of the South American
countries to side against Germany was probably hastened by a typical
piece of German bad faith. Argentina was at peace with Germany. In spite
of that fact, the German minister at Buenos Aires (the Argentine
capital) telegraphed to his government that if possible Argentine ships
should be spared, but if not, they should be sunk without leaving a
trace ("_spurlos versenkt_)." This would involve the drowning or
murdering of the crews, so that there would be no inconvenient protest
on the part of the Argentine government. It should be added that at the
request of the German minister, the Swedish minister at Buenos Aires
sent these dispatches in code as if they were his own private messages.
In this way the German minister was able to have them sent over cable
lines controlled by the Allies.

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY.--1. What is a "tank"? What are small
tanks called? 2. Define socialism; Bolsheviki. 3. On a map of
Europe show Germany and her allies in black. Mark with black
lines other territory held or controlled by the Central
Powers at the close of 1917. 4. On a map of southern Europe
show Italy's farthest advance into Austrian territory in
1917. 5. Collect pictures of Rheims Cathedral, before and
after being bombarded by the Germans; also pictures of other
places destroyed by bombardments. Get picture