A SPEECH, AND A NOTE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2682, 31 January 1916, Page 5

A SPEECH, AND A NOTE

PRESIDENT WILSON UTTERS A WARNING ; J I- 1 AMERICA MAY HAVE TOACT RULES FOR HIGH SEA LINERS By Telesraoli—Press Association—OoDSrUthl (Rec. January 30, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, January 20. President Wilson, in an important speech, making a strong plea for the military preparedness of the United titatos, emphasised how he had gled to keep peacc, but the liberty and honour of the nation were more' important. Ho admitted that his . ma-., sage to Congress said that-tho need' for preparedness was not pressing, but he had learned much in the meantime. Tito Americans had a deep-seated passion for pcace, but were ready to fight at any time for tlie vindication of their character and honour. He would at no time cravenly avoid a contest, and would rather surrender territory than his ideals. He desired to emphasise tho point that the circumstances of the world today were not what they were yesterday, and added: "I cannot tell you what the international Telations of tho United States will be to-morrow, and— I uso the word literally—l do not dare to keep silent and lot the country suppose that to-morrow is certain to he as bright as to-day. America will " not be tho aggressor, but America cannot control the circumstances oF the world. We must ensure that we, as faithful servants of those things that we'love, will be ready to defend 1 them." Washington correspondents regard tho President's speech as a last warning to Count Bernstorff (German Ambassador to tho United States) , tliat. Germany must, give satisfaction for the Lusitania- crime.

NOTE TO THE BELLIGERENTS

MERCHANTMEN AND . SUBMARINES (Rec. January 30, 5.5 p.m.) Washington) January-29'. Mr. Robert Lansing (U.S. Secretary of State), in a Note to the belligerent' Governments, notifies the Powers .that unless they subscribe to the following principles, armed merchantmen may ba denied entry to American ports, except .under conditions applying to warships: "(1) That belligerent merchantmen shall have the right to rely on the rules of international law and humanity. "(2) That a merchantman of any nationality shall not bo subject to attack without'warning; ■ "(3) That a .belligerent merchantman shall promptly obey an order to stop; "(4) That a merchantman •shall not be fired on unless she tries to resist, and oven than the attack shall ceasc directly her flight and resistance ceases; "(5) That sinking shall be Justified only if it be impossible to supply a prize crow, in which case the passengers and crew must be Tcmoved to safety." • Mr. Lansing adds: "In view of the extensivo use of submarines, which armed merchantmen are able to attack, thero is grave doubt if it be legal for merchantmen to carry armament." He thercfoie asks the Powers to make tha above declaration, on condition that tlioir enemies make similar declarations.

THE STRANGULATION - BLOCKADE

TEUTONIC POWERS PEELING THE PINCH (Rec. January 30, 5.5 p.m.) > Zurich, January 28. • Count Tisza (the Hungarian 'Pre* raier), in an article in a, Budapest .newspaper, says: "'England, by remaining mistress of tlip sea, Jias stopped the Central Powers' overseas commerce, and even the passage of foodstuffs through neutral countries. It is mainly through England's cold,_ calculating, cruel policy that a condition of tilings which was formerly applied to beleaguered • towns is now being applied to 150 million people." .. .