WELCOMING AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1917, Page 1

WELCOMING AMERICA

Commons RcsoinUin.

(Australian) & N.Z, Cable Ascooiation and Renter.)

LONDON, April 18.

In the House of Commons in reply to a question Lord Robert Cecil said thau 'America had mot yet formally auhered to the Allies’ agreement not to make a separate peace. Sh' A. Mond said the Stars and Stripes -would he flown alongside the Union Jack on all Government buildings on Friday, “America’s Day.” Ho also announced that the. Anglo-Ameri-can Government was jointly considering the construction of aircraft. Hon. BonarLaw in the absence of Mr Lloyd" George, in moving the resolution welcoming the United States as a new ally in the war, said the new worlds had stepped in to redress the balance of the old. The United States possessed probably in a greater degree than any nation the resources which in the long run would ho decisive in the war. Despite the fact that the path immediately ahead of the Allies had xicmi been more difficult, he hoped and believed the long night of sorrow and anguish, which had desolated th« world was drawing to a close. The aims «uu weals which President Wilson’s speech so nobly expressed were ours, and like us, America had found that fighting was the one method for securing these

aims. Mi’. Asquith after eulogising America’s disinterestedness in intervening said that to step aside with stopped ears, folded arms, and averted gaze when she had the power to kitorvene, would have been to have become not only a spectator but an accomplice. 13ut none feared now that America would finally decide. Mr. J. Dillon on behalf of the Nationalists most heartily joined in welcoming Amerca’s present!?. America at the peace conference would be a sign of hope and assurance of liberty. Mr. G. J. Wardle on behalf of the J.aborites declared if the entrance of America bad the result of the establishment of a groat League of Nations charged to keep the world at peace then no sacrifice would bo too great. WASHINGTON, April 19. The War Department is plaining a levy of half a million conscripts if the President is able to induce Congress to pass a selective draft bill.