AMERICA'S SCHEME TO HELP THE ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3053, 14 April 1917, Page 9

AMERICA'S SCHEME TO HELP THE ALLIES

GREAT MERCHANT ARMADA VISIT OF A BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER ■ \ Washington, April 11. The greatest interest is being taken in the projected visit of. Mr. A. J. Balfour (British Foreign Secretary), which is thought to be designed for a - better understanding in the joint conduct of the war. Officials are pleased that such an eminent statesman should have been ohosen for'the task. Itis considered that, owing to America's attitude towards alliances, _ Mr. Balfour will handle the delicate subject diplomatically, and that his mission will be the beginning of a series of conferences between the Allies. Some of the newspapers suggest that Mr.'Balfour may discuss the question of America agreeing not to make a separate peace. ..,.,_.'. „ , „•,„ Mr. Balfour will be accompanied by Admiral De Chair, General Bridges, and the Snor of the Bank of England (Lord Cunliffe). The Frenchmssion is expected to comprise M. Viviani (an M. Octave Homoeig General Joffro (ex-ttmmander-m-Cfoiei), and General Foch. The missions will inquire as to America's ideas in regard to peace terms.—Aus.-JN ./•. Uole • Assn. . WORK FOR THE UNITED STATES NAVY. New York, April 12. It is announced that tho American Navy is assuming the patrol of the At-, lantio and the Caribbean Sea.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GREAT WORK FOR THE BUILDER OF PANAMA MERCANTILE ARMADA OF ARMED WOODEN SEA CARRIERS. ' (Rec. April 13, 9 p.m.) . . . London, April 12. lleuter's'- correspondent at Washington, commenting on America's war' preparations, says: President Wilson believes that he can do the greatest service to the Allies by providing »n armada of merchantmen to invalidate . the German under-sea campaign. The country's entire ship-building iacilities. including one hundred new plants, will construct a fleet ot wooden ships of 2000 tons and upwards. Tho first year's production will average three ships per day; These vessels will be armed. Major-General Goethals, the builder of the Panama Canal, will be-in-charge of the scheme—Reuter. . ' [The- Panama Canal is no less a triumph of engineering than ,it is an. achievement of administration. There were known laws; and, principles tor practically all of. the engineering work that was.aono in the construction of the Canal, but the problems of administration which Major-General Goethals ' faced and solved were most of them without precedent. He was in command of an army of civilians, but was a commander without a commission, in effect; for all his subordinates knew that his only right to control them absolutely lay'in his power to win their obedience through respect. In order to construct the Canal, it was necessary to create an American btate in the heart of a Central-American Republic,, with a civil government, I schools, courts, churches, police system, post-offices, and taxation and revenue systems This civil government, distinct from engineering control of Canal work' was exercised over one of the most heterogeneous populations ever assembled anywhere on earth, comprising aMts maximum about sixty-fare thousand souls,,and made up of many and widely . differing nationahties- ■' Sh Americans, Spaniards, Italian's,, West Indians, Greeks, Armenians, Central Americans, and others. When put in command of the Canal work he was the first military chief the men had had, and his position was cor- ' resDondindy delicate. His men wanted no martin**, .and yet they must feel his authority. He solved that ..problem by the fact that on the Isthmus, he was'first an engineer, and only secondly the soldier. He laid aside his uniform, and did'not again don it during his entire term of service His military aides soon followed suit. The General was forgotten and the Commander of Men became apparent. He was never a martinet, but, «"« are assured, he didnot any the less insist on discipline. He invariably, '3Lp n HVrI tnatamando.alltnatheconld, and no halfway attempts were lw!|-Next to his discipline, the most astonishing feature of. Goethals> regime has been-his thorough, detailed, ..and utterly comprehensive knowledge of'the work under his command.] ANOTHER ■ GERMAN DYNAMITE PLOT '■■..-,•'•(■' " . Washington, April 12. ■ - 'A German attempt to destroy New Mexico's extensive irrigation works is reported It war frustrated, and the dynamiters were arrested by 'the guards.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA PREPARING (Rec. April 13, 9 p.m.) , ;, Rio de Janeiro, ApriHS. The Brazilian-Government is equipping a strong contingent which will be concentrated in the States of Rio Grande, Dosul, Parana, and Santa Catherina, -where the Germans are numerous. The Government of Argentina is increasing its effectives in the array and navy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable'Assn. ■ , URUGUAY PREPARING FOR A RUPTURE. ■ ' . (Rec. April 13, 10.15 p.m.) Paris, April 13. 'A'wireless report states that a rupture between Uruguay and Germany is expected. Uruguay is mobilising.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CARRANZA AND THE OIL WELLS '. (-Roc. April 13, 11.15 p.m.) i _ London, April 18. Reuters correspondent at. Washington states that President Carranza, of Mexico, has transmitted positive assurances to Mr. Lansing (United States Secretary of State) that the oil supplies at Tampico and ' other Mexican sources will not be denied to the United Stales or Britain.—Renter.