AN AMERICAN ULTIMATUM

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 95, 20 April 1916, Page 5

AN AMERICAN ULTIMATUM

i 4 TO THE GERMAN PIRATES. AOCUiULATSOH OF EVIDENCE ASAINST GEMAMY. AN JMiEBIATE ANSWER CEPANOEO. SGHULER SENTENGEO FOR LIFE. « SERVIAN TROOPS IN SALONIKA. HOLD UP GREEK TROOPS. THEY DESTROY BRIDGES AND MUM. i ________ A NEW RUSSIAN COMMANDER APPOINTED. : FOR THE RUSSIAN SOUTHWEST FRONT AT STRYPA. REPORT PROM A GERMAN NEWSPAPER. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.). COPENHAGEN, April 19. The Tageblatt says that Genera} Polivanoff has been appointed Commander in Chief of the Russian Army on the southwest front at Strypa. GERMAN PIRACY MUST CEASE. OR AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS SEVERED. ' AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER DEMANDED. (Reed. 9.5 a.m.). WASHINGTON, April 19. President ¥/ilson has despatched another note to Germany warning her that unless attacks en merchantmen carrying Americans cease, diplomatic relations will be severed. A Reuter message adds that an immediate answer is demanded,

, SCHULER THE PIRATE SENTENCED. HE GETS IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE. ANXIOUS TO HELP GERMANY. :■■:■.*-■ . (Reed. 9..4S a.m.). • _. . ' NEW YORK, April 19. Ernest Schuler, who held up the British steamer Matappo, on the high seas, has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Wilmington, Delaware. Schuler declared he was anxious for revenge against England and ■"' to do something to help Germany. < » BERNSTORFF DEMANDS RELEASE OF IGLE. ALSO RESTORATION OF INCRIMINATING PAPERS. AMERICAN STATE DEPARTMENT PROMTPLY REFUSED. GERMAN-AMERICAN PIRACY QUESTION. IRREVOCABLE NOTICE SENT TO GERMANY. WAITING FOR THE HUN'S FINAL ANSWER. (Reed. 9.45 a.m.). , ' j WASHINGTON, April 19. Count Bernstorff has demanded the release of von Igle, also the restoration of incriminating papers. The State Department has refused, contending that von Igle was not a German Embassy official when he committed the anti-neutral acts. President Wilson told Congress that he had given Germany irrevocable notice that unless her submarine campaign ceases America will break off diplomatic relations. President Wilson Jias not asked Congress to take any action, preferring to wait until Germany's final answer is received. Stock markets are much agitated. :l . PRESIDENT WILSON ON AMERICAN IDEALS. WHEN AMERICA FORGETS HER TRADITIONS. HER TITLE DEEDS OF NATIONALITY ARE LOST. (Reed. 8.15 a.m.). WASHINGTON, April 19. Addressing a meeting of Directors of the American Revolution (?) President Wilson declared that the only excuse the United States could ever have to fight would be in the cause of humanity. He added: America will have forgotten her traditions if she fights merely for herself. She must not fight under conditions that show that we have forgotten the traditions of the nation which was formed for the purpose of serving mankind jas much as itself, and to afford an asylum to all men. The birth of this nation was significant because no other nation was ever born into the world for the purpose of serving mankind. If we forget the traditions of our Fathers we at once change bur own characters and become unconscious of those principles wherein the life of the nation is rooted. What a splendid thing it is w,e have so singular a tradition of 'unselfishness. When the United State's ceases to be unselfish she ceases to be America; when she forgets her traditions of devotion to human rights in general, she has lost the title deeds of her own nationality.

PRESIDENT WILSON INFORMS CONGRESS. HIS NOTE WAS VIRTUALLY AN ULTIMATUM. w AN 1 ACCUMULATION OF EVIDENCE AGAINST GERMANY. * . (Reed. 10.10 a.m.). WASHINGTON, April 19. President Wilson .addressing Congress, told them that it was virtually an ultimatum that had been sent to Germany. He did not ask for any action by Congress, simply informing them of the accumulation of evidence showing that Germany's assurances to the United States had been violated as the submarine campaign had been renewed with vigor. He reiterated the opinion expressed after the sinking of the Lusitania that it was impossible to conduct ajjuindiscriniiuate submarine warfare like Germany's in accordance with the4arws of nations and the laws of humanity.

THE RUSSIAN CAPTURE OF TREBIZOND. A BRILLIANT FEAT OF MUSCOVITE ARMS. GRAND DUKE'S EASTER GIFT TO RUSSIA. THE TURKS' STRONGEST FORTRESS. PETROGRAD, April 19. Trebizond proves to be the Grand Duke Nicholas's Easter present to his countrymen. The rapidity of the operations was a triumph for General Yudenitch, who was leading the army. Trebizond was less fortified than Erserouffl, but was a rugged mountain ridge, 8000 ft., and well protected. The German engineers worked feverishly to complete' the defences, until the only P ossibl e frontal attack was along the narrow coast line. The success was largely due to the Russians advancing along the Choruk valley and preventing the Third Turkish Army from joining the defenders of Trebizond, while the Russians pushing on to Erzingan, intercepted th e Turkish reinforcements. The converging roads will enable the Russians to turn the whoje front to Erzingan, where the main Turkish concentration is. The possibility of revictualling the armies from the sea, instead of via difficult mountain defiles, will enormously lighten the Russian commissariat. Meanwhile the roads are being improved and a railway constructed from Sarykamysh to Erzeromn. A communique reports: The effort,* of the Caucasian army and the Black Sea fleet have been crowned by the capture of Trebizond, the most important fortification on the Anatolian coast. After a sanguinary battle on the 14th our troops pressed the Turks without respite, overcoming incredible difficulties and everywhere shattering the most obstinate resistance. The co-operation of the fleet permitted us to effect a most daringlanding in support of the troops. The heroic exploits of the Caucasian army operating inland facilitated th e success of the troops on the coast.

A CABINET CRISIS ON COMPULSION. UNIONISTS INSIST ON A SOLUTION. GREATEST EXCITEMENT IN THE LOBBIES. A UNIONIST CABINET FORESHADOWED. COMPULSION INDISPENSIBLE TO VICTORY. ARMY COUNCIL DEMANDS STEADY SUPPLY. LONDON, April 19. The lobbies at St. Stephens were excited throughout the afternoon and evening. The attitude of Mr. Bonar Law and the Unionist members of the Cabinet will be largely influenced by the meeting of the Unionist War Committee. Sir E. Carson and 125 members were present. The speeches showed that the majority cf Unionists are determined to insist on a final solution of the recruiting question, though Lord Hugh Cecil struck a note of extreme caution. Later in the evening the situation was somewhat easier, owing to the efforts of a Cabinet committee formed in the morning, consisting of Mr. Asquilh, Lord Kitchener, Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. Lloyd George, and Mr. Henderscn, to try to find a solution. The "Daily Mail" and the "Daily News" state that the • committee placed the position before the militaiy chiefs, explaining, the measures favoured by the majority of the Cabiret. The military chiefs, notably General Sir W. Robertson, expressed di. satisfaction, believing they would not secure the requisite numbers. The cc mmittee finally decided to suggest to the Cabinet the following compromise, viz., that general compulsion will not be introduced at present, but if the existing and new measures do not provide sufficient men there will be no further opposition to the compulsion of the marrieds. The "Times" says, in a leader, that the fortunes of the struggle and the fate cf England and the Empire hang on Mr. Asquith's announcement to-day. The Empire has reached a point when he must state whether he intends to straighten the confusion cf the present recruiting methods and maintain the forces indispensable to Victory. The prodigious efforts to make the plain requirements of the military situation square with the exigencies of politicians have, we believe, failed; ISJothing short of a single comprehensive measure of universal service will satisfy the situation. The "Daily Chronicle" states that a committee of the Cabinet instigated the Army Council's requirements, and refrained from expressing an opinion in favour of general compulsion. The tone of the report, however, suggested that they regarded it as unsuitable, and thought the military needs for several months could be satisfied by the enlistment of lads of 18 and attested married men, and the retention of time-expired men; but the Army Council desires to be guaranteed a steady supply of men up to December, j The newspapers foreshadow a Unionist Cabinet, including the Hon. Lloyd George, and a general election in May. The "Daily Chronicle" says that unless the Cabinet decides for compulsion, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law and the Unionist members will resign. ;

CONSTANTINOPLE WAR MINISTRY. BOMBED BY THE ALLIES. LONDON, April 19. The "Times" Athens correspondent says it is confirmed that two bombs burst in the War Ministry, and another in a powder factory at Makrekeuy, Constantinople, which blew up numerous victims. SERBIANS AT SALONIKA. SALONIKA, April 19. General Sarrail inspected the first of the Serbians who have arrived. They are big, solid peasants, showing no signs of the privations of the winter retreat. Good food and the rest at Corfu have done wonders. Their entire outfit has been renewed, chiefly with blue French uniforms. GERMANS RESTRAIN GREEK TROOPS. WHILE THEY DESTROY GREEK BRIDGES. THEY THEN WITHDRAW FROM GREECE. (Reed. 9.50 a.m.). SALONIKA, April 19. A message states German cavalry patrols entered Greec and compelled a Greek company to remain quiescent while they blew up three railway bridges between Dorian and Akindjas. They then withdrew.

CAPE SOLDIERS PAY. IN THE IMPERIAL SERVICE. A. MUNIFICENT OFFER. (Rood. 5.50 a.m.). CAPETOWN, April 19. Robinson's offe*r, cabled on the twelfCn; of £IOO,OOO towards a million required to make up the difference, between Imperial and Colonial pay, was made condition on Abe Bailey's gold companies contributing proportionately an £ i the Union Government granting half a million. -

f RENEGADE IRISHMAN. LIBELS HIS COUNTRY. LONDON, April IS. Sir Roger Casement contributes an impudent article to the Munich Zeitung. He says: "The object of my | visit to Germany was to obtain for the benefit of the Irish an assuranace of j Germany's goodwill, in order to pre- ' serve my people from participation -in !a great crime.*' He concludes boastj fully: "The fact that England did not j succeed in extending compulsion to Ireland is an admission that Ireland is exemmptcd from service for Great Britain and the Empire, and is the best justification for my visit.''

CHINESE LABOUR IN FRANCE PARIS, April 19. Owing to the lack of agricultural and industrial labour, France is importing 5,000 Chinese under three years' indentures, to be emploj'-ed in the colonies if the war is over earlier,. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE. ANOTHER SUCCESS CLAIMED. BERLIN, April 19. A communique reports: The Saxons stormed and recaptured the quarries 700 metres south of Haudr,omont Ridge, north-west of Thiaumont, capturing 42 nnwoundcd officers and 1,046 men. T-beir names will be gazetted similarly to those of the 711 officers and 35.155 captured at Verdun since February 21. This is Germany's reply to the. French denials.

BOUND TO BE A ROW. "STOP THE WAR" MEETING CANCELLED. LONDON, xVpril IS. The Government has prohibited the holding 01 a '"stop the war" meeting in Trafalgar Square next Sunday on the ground that it would he likely to lead to a grave disturbance",* j.%j jissfc

.. THE WESTERN FRONT. GERMAN LINES TWICE PENETRATED. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, April, 19. Twice' in the last 80 hours our troops penetrated different points into the German trenches, once in daylight yesterday and once during the night. On each occasion the enterprise met with complete success, a machine-gun emplacement being destroyed and several dugouts bombed. Our casualties were one wounded and one missing. Two German officers and twenty men were killed during the night. Two small German efforts against our position at St. Eloi proceeded by a heavy bombardment, were successfully repulsed to-day. There are isolated artillery duel's at various points. GERMANY AND AMERICA. SUBMARINE ISSUE TO GO TO CONGE ESS. RUPTURE BELIEVED UNAVOIDABLE. WASHINGTON, April 18. President Wilson has decided to lay the whole submarine issue before Congress immdiately. ■ A breach of diplomatic relations with Germany is now believed to be unavoidable. A NOTABLE ABSENTEE. FROM HOUSE OF COMMONS. MR, LLOYD GEORGE NOT PRESENT. LONDON, April 18. There was a large attendance at the House of Commons to-day in anticipation of Mr,. Asquith 's statement on the compulsory service question. Mr. Lloyd George was a notable absentee. The Finance Bill was passed.

TORPEDO WORKS EXPLOSION NUMBER OF PERSONS KILLED. COPExNHAGEN, April 18. A number of persons were killed and wounded by an explosion at new torpedo works at Wilhelmshaven. EMPIRE'S RESPONSIBILITY. FOR FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY. AND THE WORLD'S PEACE. SPEECH BY MR. HUGHES. LONDON, April 18. At the Guildhall to-day Mr. Hughes was presented with the freedom of the City of London. Responding, he dwelt entirely on the Empire question, and referred to the urgency of creating conditions under which the population of Britain and the Dominions would rapidly increase, and our enormous resources would be developed. He said that the war had plunged civilisation into an inferno which had saturated the earth with the blood of our sons, and brought sorrow to their homes, but had welded the scattered nations of the Empire into a united people. When he spoke of the Empire, he did not speak of territorial expansion nor of the increase of wealth, but of wider opportunities for developing free government and economic social conditions worthy of a great people and compatible with the integrity of the Empire, which would ensure to the peaceful nations of the earth absolute security from disturbers of the world's peacei That was what the Empire and its maintenance meant. He concluded by emphasising this necessity for defending the Empire, as its responsibility for the world's peace for civilisation und the future of the democracy depended upon its ability to do so.

BUTTER FROM SIBERIA. DISORGANISED TRADE. LONDON, April 18. The London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow butter traders are requesting the Foreign Office to receive a deputation, as they desire to point out the seriousness of stopping the import of Siberian butter. There is an impression that Russia may grant licenses. THE COMPULSION ISSUE. DEBATE IN THE LORDS. LONDON, April 18. The "House of Lords debated Lord Milner's motion in favour of general compulsion being introduced without delay. Lord Milner said he thought the age limit might with advantage be raised to 45. Our lack of men had been a permanent and übiquitous cause of weakness and the heaviest handicap. The time had come to put our last ounce into the struggle. Lord Crewe said the Goveranient hoped to make a statement on Wednesday. They had to view the question from every possible angle. The debate was adjourned.

BELGIAN RELIEF. THE URGENT STATE PASSED. (Reed. 9.50 a.m.). LONDON, April 19. Mr. Pratten has forwarded to Mr. Holman an exhaustive report on the operations of the neutral commission that is administering" relief in Belgium. It is understood that the report devotes special attention to Australia's aspect of the question" ,and it is believed that no further need exists for urgent assistance.