PRESIDENT WILSON AND THE ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2507, 7 July 1915, Page 8

PRESIDENT WILSON AND THE ALLIES

HOW AMERICANS REGARD THE 0 ' LUSITAIA CRIME : MR. F.-M, B. FISg|)R SAW AND HEARD V Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, who is at present touring abroad, reachcd New Vork i shortly after tho sinking of . the great - Cunard, liner Lusitania .by a German submarine, and his t diary. impressions of the state of the public mind over the outrage make.interesting reading. "The city," lie writes, "was in a. profound state of indignation and horror at the cold-blood-ed murder of «o many non-combatants, including wonien and children. I can say without any doubt that whereas tho United States sentiment was strongly pro-British before this event, it is intensely pro-British now. In the theatres •or. tho cafes the opening bars of 'Tipperary' are received with thunders, of approbation, and all over the place now one frequently > hears the' opinion expressed that the United States should join at once in tho extirpation of German militarism. President's stand for Civilisation. "New Zealand, I am sure, has completely misunderstood"' the attitude of the United States; Government and President Wilson. From what I know now I am profoundly grateful as an Englishman to President Wilson for ths paTt he , has played, tar/ tremendous pressure has been brought to bear upon him and his Cabinet to prevent the export of munitions of war to England, France, and Russia, and lie has steadfastly refused. This means that the Allies are now drawing upon the United States for supplies, costing sis' million dollars a_day. With!, a stroke of the pen the President could seriously'embarrass the Allies. Every factory in the country that can supply is working under full steam. Artillery, shot, and shell are being shipped'in vast quantities; The President knows, too, that the only prospect of assisting the British in Ger-. many, and the Belgians in their own country,-is to remain neutral. A declaration ;of war by the -United States would be the worsjb that could befall the Allies at present, and the attitude adopted-by tho President is'just what England wants, and no more. , German-Americans are very divided; : .At a vast meeting of Germans two days ago, : they declared that if the United 1 States declared war oil Germany they would stand by the President. Many them are naturally-enough all for .Germany! Others prefer the repub- ' licanism of the States to the militarism of modern. Germany. I am sure that in years to come Wilson's course of action will stand out as an act of statesmanship, which will entitle him to - the undying gratitude of all' English-spea-king peoples. I only "wish I could commit to paper all I know now about those matters. ', - , The Great Naval Review. ''I arrived in time to see the'great review of the.'United States by the President—a- fine-:, and .inspiring sight.- Tlie President also reviewed a great march past of 5000 bluejackets. Just round the corner from my .hotel a great stand had been erected opposite tlie Public Library. From this tho President, watched the march past. I secured' a place early, and so had a splendid view of both the ! parade and the-.President.-r j'-'Tlie day before!;'-tlie"'President had dispatched his famous note, to Germany, which had met with the unanimous approval of the public and the Press. His appearance, therefore, was the signal' for the most unparalleled' scene of enthusiasm; as lie drew up iii" his motor, standing up, silk hat in hand, bowing and smiling to-tho! cheering multitudes. He was guarded by 600, mounted police,and every care was taken to guard him fiprn attack. He has an excellent presence, and the happiest of countenances,' and'l was most favourably impressed - with his 1 appearance and his bearing. •' "There was an incident, too, that was full of interest, for after the .review,.as tlie Presidential procession was proceeding. .to, tho Hotel Biltmore, there icamo a roar from a multitude of throats'. Tho procession was halted, a' passage.through it was, instantly cleared.: and there cut right'through it the fire brigade, hastening . to. answer a , call. . It; was an intensely, dramatic and spectacular incident, ... and 1 1 was right, on tlie. spot, and saw it all to ■ "The stoppage of the cavalcade had the effect of. allowing- the crowd to press jiiearer. the Tiappy, smiling President, and. soon tlie attempts' of. the police to keep them off we're futile.- and the President smilingly, shook • hands with' those! fortunate enough to get wifhip reach. He betrayed no sijni of fear.-or. danger, and created a welldeserved' and most favourable improssion. , Tho Interned Liners. "I paid a special visit to see all t-lio interned German steamers. . The i North German, Lloyd Co. ha® a notice oh the window to say : 'Open' daily from 11 to: 12 until further notice!'' Gqd Save the King, and may the devil fold the Kaiser tightly in one long and lasting embrace. 1 lieard two American tennis - players talking.' One said: 'I wish they' would bring ■ tho Kaiser over here and exhibit him in 'a menagerie.' The other, said: 'G.ood God; if they brought him .over •here he would got .'shot .in about two minutes.'" ;■ .;