America.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 70, 28 February 1916, Page 3

America.

RIGHTS OF AMERICANS. PRESIDENT’S PATIENCE EXHAUSTED. [CiPtice Phew* Abbooiation.l Now York, February 20. President Wilson says: The course which the Central Powers announced as their intention to follow in regard to undersea warfare seems to threaten insuperable obstacles, but apparently it is so manifestly inconsistent with Germany’s explicit assurances that I must believe that explanations will reveal that there is no reason to question their fidelity to past promises. No nation or group of nations has the right to alter or disregard the principles. to which all nations agree, that tend to the mitigation of the horrors of war. If the rights of American citizens are ever unhappily abridged or denied we, in horror, have no choice a s to what our course will be. Personally; I will not consent to any abridgement of American citizens’ rights in any respect. Fear to vindicate these would he deep humiliation and an abdication of our histone proud position as spokesman, even amidst the turmoil of war, for law and right. If in this instance we allowed expediency to take the place of principle, the door will inevitably he opened to further concessions; many other humiliations will certainly follow, and tlie tine fabric of international law will crumble to pieces. America cannot yield without conceding her own impotence as a nation, and virtually surrendering her independency among the nations of the world. HONOR BEFORE PEACE. Washington, February 20. An overwhelming majority in Congress is favorable to warning Americans to keep off belligerent ships, but President Wilson refuses to give way. He intends to assei;t the full rights of Americans against German contentions. declaring, “We covet peace, nnd shall preserve it at any cost save loss of honor.” REPORTED BERLIN-HATCHED PLOT. New York. February ‘2(l. The Providence Journal publishes a statement that Hie present crisis relative to armed merchantmen is the result of a plot hatched at TWlin as the outcome <* munition shipments from the United States. Meanwhile, Germany will attempt to sink cvep\ vessel she is a hie to reach on the false contention that all were armed on the high seas after leaving American ports.