"A BOX ON THE EAR"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2771, 15 May 1916, Page 5

"A BOX ON THE EAR"

AMERICA'S REPLY TO GERMANY

OUTSPOKEN COMMENT IN BRAZIL

By Telecrapn—Press Association-Conyrigßt ("Times" and Sydney "Sua" Services.) London, May 12. Opinions .vary regarding America's answer to Germany. An important section of the French Press considers it uncompromising, oven threatening. M. Herve, in "la Victoire," says that President Wilson has spoken the last word, and an eventual rupture is certain. The "Gaulois" compares President.Wil-i Eon's reply to a box on the ear, adding: "One thing is clear—the era of submarine warfare has- ended." The English Press comments are scanty and guarded. The "Manchester Guardian" says:—"The issues have again been postponed. America and Germany have refused to take decisive steps. Both are hanging on to words and phrases. -American political conditions are holding America bade, and making President Wilson clutch at straws.'" j The Brazilian Press is impatiently commenting on President Wilson's answer, stating that neutrals are bitterly resentful at the threatened continuance of submarine warfare. . The "0 Paiz" is conducting a campaign for the constitution of a Neutrals' League, under America's leadership. The paper says: "President Wilsons ultimatum would have been taken more seriously if such a league existed.' ' It describes America's attitude as tardy and irresolute. NO MORE PROTESTS TO BRITAIN PRESIDENT NOT TO BE EMBROILED BT GERMANY. Washington, May 12. President, Wilson ha? decided to defer further communications, on trade questions with Britain until the submarine question witu. Germany is satisfactorily settieu. - ' . ' * President Wilson feels that Germany's endeavour to embroil, the United States with Britain has complicated the situation, so he will refuse for the present to inaae any more protests to "Britain. AN IRREDEEMABLE BLUNDER HUNS ATTEMPT TO DICTATE TO AMERICA. (Rec. May 15, 1.15 a.m.) London, May 14. Mr. Lansing's allusion to ,the AngloAmerican agreement for the settlement of disputes, coupled with his reminder that Germany refused America's offer of a similar agreement, is causing great uneasiness in Germany. Several newspapers publish the terms of the agreement, pointing out that'a year was allowed for the settlements, which possibly enables An-glo-American disputes to be settled after, the war. The "Weekly Dispatch's" New York correspondent says: "Germany's attempt to persuade America to press the blockade question against Britain is regai'ded as one of the most serious blunders of German statesmanship since the war. President Wilson regards it as. a personal affront, equivalent to dictating to him as to how ho should manage his own business. .This Faux Pas has removed the possibility of a serious Anglo-American misunderstanding in , tlie future. -MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR GERMANY. ALLIES' RIGHT TO INTERCEPT/ (Rec. x May 14, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, May 12: The Associated Press of America is publishing a semi-official report of the British reply to America's complaint alleging that Britain has been intercepting medical supplies going- to Germany. The reply points out that Germany's supplies are ample, and that her troops need not go short if given priority. The Allies possoss a legal right to intercept these supplies. Britain is willing to allow the dispatch of an American Red Cross to Germany under'-a guarantee. The reply draws attention to Germany's'' attack on the hospital ship Asturias. THE CASEOFTHE APPAftf WHO OWNS THE VESSEfc? Washington, May 12. The State Department has ruled that the Appam is not covered by the Prus-6ian-2inerican Treaty. / Legal proceedings have begun in the Federal Courts to determine the vessel's ownership. [The Appam was captured by the notorious raider Moewo and taken to Newport; News. A controversy arose as to the status x>f the vessel. The British authorities, relying on the Hague Conventions, ctainied that prizes of war could uot bo stored in neutral ports, and that the Appam must be sent to sea or restored. Germany claimed, under an old treaty v/ica Prussia, the Tight to leave her prizes in American ports. It was reported that the United States' decisionwas in favour of the German contention.] ANOTHER OUTRAGED NEUTRAL SHIPPING BRUTAL TREATMENT OF SWEDISH CREW. .' (Rec. May'l4, 11.30 pirn.) . Copenhagen, May 13. The Swedish schooner Harald has been torpedoed since the issue of tho new instructions. The " attackiug submarine vainly tried to destroy her by gunfire, and then set firo to the vessel. Tha Germans took the crew on board, and brutally treated them on the partially submerged deck. They were foodless for hours. Later th6y were transferred to a Norwegian steamer. BRITISH STEAMER SUNK. (Rec. May 14, 11.30 p.m.) London, May 14. The steamer Eretria, 3464 tons, has been sunk off Guernsey (Chennef Islands). [The Eretria belongs to Messrs. Win. Thomson and Co., St. John, N.B.] . THE. SUSSEX CRIME HOW WAS THE CRIMINAL PUNISHED? .. (Rec. May 14, D.5 p.m.) . Washington, May 13. Mr. Robert Lansing (United States Secretary of State) asked Mr. Gerard (Uuited States Minister at Berlin) to ascertain informally the nature of the punishment which was imposed on tho submarine commander who was responsible for iha attack on the Sussex. • AUSTRIAN SUBMARINE "PLANT" DISCOVERED (Rec. May 14, 11.30 p.m.) . Rome, May It. The Italians have discovered . nn Austrian submarine base between Cyrenaica and Egypt, with huge supplies ,of benzine, and tons of food in caverns along the seashore, them up. HOW THE CYMRIC WAS ATTACKED A- SURVIVOR'S STORX. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. May 13, 5.25 p.m.) London, May 12. One hundred and seven members of the crew of the Cymric have arrived (itLiverpool. Ono survivor said that tho vessel was torpedoed at midday. The crew was dining at tho time. Bethought that the boiler had burst, and rushed on deck. Ho heard the fifth engineer call out: "There's the swine!" The crew saw the periscope, with a wireless apparatus attached. The Cymric was struck in the euginercom, and quickly began to sink. Tho •witain ordered six boats to be lowered. I

and the crew to attach their lifebelts. It lyas blowing half a gale, and the lowering of the boats was difficult. One was washed against tho ship and smashed, its inmates being (lung out. They were rescued. Tho other boats were lovrernd successfully. The chief steward miscalculated the jump and fell between the liner and the boat. He was hot seen again. Tho boats stood by till one returned with tho captain and tho Marconi operator, who had sent out the "5.0.5." signal, which brought the reply that assistance was forthcoming.

In the meantime a Dutch steamer camo to the rescue, but lvas unable to pick up the boats, owing to the heavy sea. Eventually another ship arrived and picked