UNITED STATES' CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2639, 9 December 1915, Page 5

UNITED STATES' CONGRESS

PRESIDENT'S OPENING ADDRESS AMERICA AND THE WAR STRICT NEUTRALITY Br Telegraph—Press Association—CopyrijM (Hec. December 8, 5.60 p.m.) ; Washington, December 7. President Wilson Has opened Congress. His speech emphasised the ne- ; cessity for the United States to remain neutral as,regards the European War. Great increases in the naval, and military forces; inoluding tho creation of a Continental army, are asked for. Tho latter proposal was received in silonce. President Wilson referred at length to Pan-Americanism, and full partnership ' between the North and South American nations. Violators''.of American neutrality were scathingly denounced, and new laws to deal with them 'advocated. He insisted that the United States had made-common cause with all- partisans of liberty on this side of the Atlahtdo, and had set aside America as a whole for the uses of independent nations and political freedom.

President Wilson did not accuse the Germans explicitly, though he obviously referred to the Teutonic outrages, which ho declares were as grave as if the country's differences had, been with other nations.. He was sorry to say that the gravest threats against our peace and safety had been uttered within their own borders. "I blush to admit that there are in the United' States citizens, born under other flags, but fully naturalised, who have sought to bring the authority and good name of the Government into contempt, and destroy industries for vindictive purposes. We have made' no proportion foj- sucn a J contingency, and we would be ashamed to do-so, but this ugly and incredible thing has como about, and ire demand that the Federal laws shall crush such creatures of passion, disloyalty,' and anarchy. Although our States are subject to the cross currents of the confused politics of the world, and hostile rivalries,, we are united in spirit, and cannot bo disappointed in-our peaceful destiny. We have never dreamed that men who had .been sworn into our citizenship would turn in malign .reaction against the country and people who had nurtured and welcomed them. These foreign plotters are not numerous, but they are- sufficient to bring deep disgrace upon us. They are seeking to make this proud country again a'notbad of European passion, and "spying upon every confidential Government transaction."

The President emphasised the point that it was America's duty to remain neutral, so that some part of the great • family of nations might keep the processes of -peace alive, if only to. prevent economic ruin and break-down throughout the world. He concluded by upholding the Monroe Doctrine, instancing Mexico as a test case, and stressed tho necessity for an adequate American, mercantile marine by the purchase and construction of Government vessels to develop overseas' trade, and • trado b's< tween the two American continents. GERMAN INFLUENCES IN THE LOBBIES. London., December 7. 1 The "Daily Chronicle's" Washington correspondent says that German influences are active in the lobbies, the Sponsors emphasising the prejudicial ef» , feet of the war on America's shipping i and commercial interests. The New York "Post's" comments conclude: "An American mercantile marine whioh is subject to a British Order in-Council is a national shame." ' AIM-GERMAN OFFICIALS' DUPLICITY ARRESTS EXPECTED Washington, Deoember T. Answering Germany's • unprecedented protest and request for information (regarding the dismissal of military attaches, Mr. Lansing (Secretary of State) has stated that the dismissals were entirely because of tho attaches' military and naval activities. j ARRESTS LIKELY TO BE MADE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) r Now Yorki December 7. , Many high Austro-German officials havo fallen into the Government's not, and are likely to be arrested on grave oharges. The Government has evidence, apart from the disclosures made at the recent trials of the directors" of the Hamburg-Amerika Company,, and is preparing to demand tho recall of the Austrian Consuls at New York, Pittsburg, and Cleveland, the Charge d'Af-» faires at Washington, and probably .the German Fiscal Agent and Consul-Gen-eral. , ; The plots of Captain Boy-Ed, an af tache, extended to Mosico.