To increase the reliability of a wire electric discharge machine by correcting the bending tendency of a wire electrode, cutting the tip of the wire electrode in a shape proper for automatic connection, and discharging fragments from an electrode passage smoothly.

A disconnection detector 13 confirms that a wire electrode 1 is stretched normally, a chucking cylinder 20 is closed, and the electrode 1 is fixed by downstream current carrying elements 23A, 23B. Tension is provided for an electrode 1 by rotating feeder rollers 16A, 16B reversely, the part between the downstream current carrying elements 23A, 23B and upstream current carrying elements 24, 25 is heated by a current carrying circuit for cutting 38, and the electrode 1 is cut while being stretched. The part between the downstream current carrying elements 23A, 23B and the feeder rollers 16A, 16B is heated by a current carrying circuit for annealing 39 to correct the bending tendency. After the tip of the electrode 1 is cut again, and the discharge rollers 27A, 27B are moved transversally by a cylinder 40 to discharge fragments from an electrode passage.