Western Front
British news-film “Topical Budget” showing footage of French artillery in action, among other news:
http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5415
First units of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps arrive in France.
British troops among the snow-covered ruins of Combles:
http://imgur.com/8rwWDxE* © IWM (Q 6387)
East of Beaucourt (north of the Ancre) British line advanced 500 yards on a front of 1,200 yards; over 100 prisoners taken, and counter-attacks repulsed.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Egypt: Affairs in the Siwa Oasis (West Egypt) begin (see 5th).
Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: Germany submarine
SM U-53 sinks a U.S. cargo ship
Housatonic, further harming relations between the two countries. (ed note: this sinking was carried out entirely within the confines of international law: that is, Kapitänleutnant Hans Rose stopped the
Housatonic, examined her papers, determined that she was carrying contraband to an enemy country, gave her crew time to get to the lifeboats, then towed those same lifeboats to within sight of another vessel able to take the refugees on board. There was no loss of life involved. Nevertheless,
U-53’s action had come on the heels of the declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, and served to further inflame the yellow press in the United States.)
Political, etc.
Germany: Germany protests Norway and Sweden’s decisions to ban German submarines, unless damaged, to enter their territorial waters.
Count Bernstorff receives his passports and Mr. Gerard is recalled from Berlin.
United States: President Wilson, in front of Congress, announces his decision to break off diplomatic ties with Germany:
http://imgur.com/UdTkwvB
According to the 1910 census, German and Austro-Hungarian born residents in the US number 4,171,915 people.
U.S.A. demands immediate release of over 60 Americans taken prisoner by German Atlantic raiders.