AMERICA AND GERMANY

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 3 February 1917, Page 5

AMERICA AND GERMANY

oh THE WESTERN FRONT. 1223 PRISONERS TAKEN DURING JANUARY. N.Z. RIFLE BRIGADE DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES. LONDON, Feb 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports; We improved our position northward of Beaumont Hamel. We carried out a successful raid south-eastward of Armentieres and eastward of Ypres. Two other attacks in the neighbourhood of Wytschaete, by strong parties' dressed in white, were beaten back with heavy losses. The enemy’s artillery has been more active southward of Ypres. The British took prisoners 1,228 Germans, including 27 officers, during January. Among those who specially distinguished themselves are the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd New Zealand Rifle BVigade. GERMANS EXERCISING EXTREME SECRECY.

BRITISH POLITICS.

p STOCKHOLM, Feb 1. The greatest secrecy is being observed regarding Germany’s war preparations. Neutral attaches who have renamed from the front declare that nobody is being allowed to visit any of the fronts and that probably only the Kaiser, Von Hindcnburg, and Lull orsdorff share the military secrets. GERMANS TRANSFERRED FROM THE RUSSIAN FRONT. PETROGRAD, Feb 1. Except in the Riga sector, where three divisions of German reinforcements have arrived, the enemy is transferring a considerable number of troops from the Russian fronts to the Western front. IN THE AIR.

PEMBERTON BILLING SUES THE GLOBE. ACTION FOR DAMAGES FAILS. LONDON, Feb 2. Pemberton Billing, who is suing the newspaper Globe for damages, was subjected to a searching cross-exam-ination for misusing a placard inferring he employed a spy to secure information of the air services. Questions regarding the alleged photograph of a letter sent privately to Mr. Balfour, the original of which figured prominently in a House of Commons’ debate. Billing stated a friend at the Admiralty gave him photographs of the letter. Justice Darling, summing up, asked if Billing could fairly complain of the imputation of spying after his admissions regarding a friend at the Admiralty. A verdict for defendant with costs was given. BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM. Received 9.15. LONDON, Feb 2. Mr. Prothero, addressing farmers at Maidstone, said the policy of fixed prices was only a fair and honest one, aQ d S ave the farmer absolute security; also the Imperial point of view must be considered. We wanted a great Imperial policy in Britain in order to he able to say to India, Australia, Egypt and Canada: “The farmers of Britain sacrificed their war profit, it is up to

you to make a similar sacrifice for the good of the Empire.” If we are able to get all the-dominions into this great movement w|, /ould be able to snap fingers i|kthe Chicago speculator. Mr. Pro there believed they could bring in the Dominions by fixing the Britain as a basis, which was the key to the whole thing.

SITUATION VERY CRITICAL AMERICAN PEESS IN WARLIKE MBOD NEW YORK HARBOUR SIMM'S SUBMARINE RISTHLESSBESS ‘neutral shipping diverted

GREAT SPSS OH BY MS ASQUITH. STALEMATE IMPROBABLE. LONDON, Feb. 2. The liihht Hou. H. H. Asquith, addressing the Liberal Conservative delegates at La'dybank, said lie would not refer to the circumstances in connection with his resignation from the Premiership. Public attention should not be distracted from the supreme topic —the 'prosecution of the war to a worthy and decisive end, and an honourable and stable peace. The Allies’ resources had been wisely organised, and assured inevitable victory. The idea that the war would result in a stalemate was a mere dream. However the fortunes of the war might fluctuate the balance more and more favoured the Allies. Ultimate victory was certain, but we must employ our utmost endeavours to accelerate the British blockade, which was one of the greatest achievements in the annals of the navy. The submarine menace was grave, but naval measures and the shipbuilding would counteract this useless waste of time. The Germans ’ so-called peace overtures were transparently insincere and had been put forth with ulterior motives, but the Allies were bound to respectfully listen. President Wilson’s note practically amounted to a declaration of American ideals. His ideal “World League” aroused our sympathies, and the British conception of the enthronement of Public Eight as the governing ideal in European politics, did not differ fundamentally therefrom. The Allies, in estimating their

minimum peace requirements, must remember their dead, also the enemy’s character and methods as revealed by the war. Their guarantees must, therefore, be tangible and solid. By a ‘ ‘ victorious peace” wo mean peace in the interests of the social and moral welfare of humanity. We did not desire more, and we could not accept less. We must concentrate our resources for the decisive victory in the field, which will be the precursor of an enduring peace. As Sir Edward Carson had stated the German declaration regarding submarines did not minimise new dangers, but the Admiralty was grappling with the problem with tireless vigour. Our hourly anxieties only stirred us to greater and increasing efforts.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO EE DETERMINED. Received 9.20. LONDON, Feb 2. Lord Selborne, at the Constitutional Club, said an Imperial Conference was inevitable, which' will have to deal with Empire problems and reconstruction, Including a more equal distribution of wealth, better understanding between the classes, in which the dominions were as equally concerned as the Mother Country. The tariff reform question would hp.ve to be approached from a perfectly new standpoint. He believed the only true solution, drawing the Empire units closer, was the granting of autonomous control over their own internal affairs. Sir Joseph Ward said there must be an Empire Parliament and an Empire navy. J. Hodge, Minister for Labour, said after war he for one would never join in shaking Germany’s bloody hand. He would never again participate with German labour at other conferences. /Cheers).

1 BULGARIA CANNOT SEND REINFORCEMENTS. Received 9.20. LONDON, Feb. 2. The Bulgarian Minister at Vienna declares that the newspapers arc unreasonable in expecting Bulgaria to further reinforce the Teutonic Allies, •flic lias reached her maximum, having mobilised 435 000 of which she has • lost 108,000.

THE WORLD CRISIS. RUPTURE NOT OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED . 'LL VAN SUBMARINES SENT OFT ■ THREE WEEKS AGO. . Received 9.40. WASHINGTON, Feb. 2. Opinion at a late hour is divided as to the probability of a break within 24 hours, cr a final warning to Germany preceding drastic action. Bcrnstorff said he admitted he expects passports for the German Embassy. He states that Germany began sending out submarines 3 weeks ago. and there are now nearly ronr hundred on the blockade lines. The State Department rays there has been no communication with BernstorP. although many rumours are current thar he lias received his passports. AMERICA’S WHOLE POWER. AGAINST UNRESTRICT ED SUBMARINING. DEFIANT PRESS CRITICISM. SIGNIFICANT SIGNS. NEW YORK Feb. 1. From a mass of reports and rumours emerges the fact that Mu Wilson lias had repeated conferences with Mr Lansing. Botli have declined to make a statement, but it is believed that a course of action has been decided upon. This will probably be in the form of a note tantamount to an ultimatum to Germany. Tire “Evening Post’s” Washington correspondent says that Mr Wilson has decided that Gcnmauy’s unrestricted submarining will not be put into effect if tire moral, as well as the physical, power of the United States can prevent it. The President is at the same time striving hard to prevent America’s participation in the war.

Stocks in Wall Street dropped from five to ton points. The day’s turnover was two million shares. It is regarded as the worst day since the war started. The newspapers in the middle west, the south and Now England support the defiant Now York press as they have never done before since the outbreak of the war. Some demand that hi s passports be handed to Count Bcrnstorff. Others declare that a breach is inevitable unless Germany climbs

Cov. 11. Inter non German liners at Hoboken number 17, including tne Vaterlaud. GERMANY’S MOST GRIEVOUS WEAPON. AMSTERDAM, Feb 1. The German Chancellor, Dr. von B'ethmann Hollweg, in his Reichstag speech declared that the most important fact in the present war situation was the number of Germany’s submarines, which had very considerably increased compared with last spring, i hereby a firm basis had been created for success. The second decisive reason was the bad corn harvest of the world, which had already caused Great Britain, France, and Italy serious difficulties, and which Germany firmly hoped would be made unbearable by unrestricted submarining. He declared that the coal supply was already critical in France and Italy, and that German submarines would render it still more critical. Moreover,, as regards England it was a question of the supply of ore for munitions, and timbi i for coal mines. The Entente difficulty, he added, would be rendered more 1 acute by the increased cargo space al- ! lowed on British merchantmen. Sub--1 marine and cruiser warfare had prepared the ground for a decisive blow, he asserted, while the advantages to Germany therefrom had correspondingly increased since last spring. General Hindcnburg a few days ago had, he said, described the military situation as follows; —“Our front is firm on all sides, we have everywhere the requisite reserves, and the spirit of our troops is good. I am confident that the military situation as a whole permits us to accept all the consequences of unrestricted submarining, and as this in ail the circumstances is the means to injure our enemies most grievously, it must begin.”

AMERICA’S POSITION SET OUT. LONDON, Fob. 2. The “Daily Chronicle” says the basis of the German note to America is a frigid calculation based upon her present military advantage, and is divorced —like her attack upon Belgium—from tile slightest restraining regard for humanity, law and civilised opinion. Certainly, Germany cannot desire United States to join in the war, because the great German liners which are interned in America would become carriers for the Allies, and would become a prey to the German submarines. Germany is unwise to deal with the United States in such a grossly insulting manner. Americans are profoundly pacific, but they have a strong national self-respect, and when they do more they will resemble a landslide. Their action is likely to determine that of the other neutrals.

TORPEDOERS WATCHING NEW YORK HARBOUR. WASHINGTON, Feb 2. A second memorandum delivered by Bernstcrff with the German Note difxers somewhat in substance trom the Note, ihs iiiemcrandum states, inter alia, chat Germany is unable to further forego the full use of submarines. The United States will realise that the Allies’ determination to de-

stroy the Central Powers gives back to Germany the freedom of action sue reserved in her Note to the United States on 4th June, 1916. Germany therefore will forcibly prevent within the barred zone all navigation, including neutrals, to and from England and France. All ships met within that acne wll be sunk. NEW YORK, Feb 2. An order has been given to captains of interned ships to destroy all papers and cripple the machinery. Officials have foiled a plan of all interned vessels ill New York, including Hoboken, which total 30, aggregating 303,600 tens. Precautions have been taken against scuttling at all ports. Torpedeers are watching the entrance to New York after nightfall. The Government have made a list of one thousand German propagandists, also of meeting places. Marine rates have doubled, and companies refuse to quote beyond the fourth of February. Tarnowski, who has arrived, says the German peace movement was spurned by Hie Allis, and the struggle must continue. The Note was a complete surprise to New York. American correspondents at Berlin interviewed Herr Zimmsrmann, who alleges Britain is treacherously employing hospital ships, and universally arming merchantmen. Zimmormann adds: “In the stops we take we will do our utmost to safeguard the lives and property of neutrals, but having endeavoured to submit our cause to the arbitrament cf reason, we must disclaim responsibility for any unhappy results that may follow our foes’ determination to continue the struggle. DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST THE WORLD. THE BEGINNING OP THE END. , LONDON, Feb 2. Germany’s declaration of her intention to engage in unlimited piracy is the whole topic of newspaper and public discussion. It is generally regarded as a declaration of war against the world, and therefore is the, beginning of the end. There is every indication that the United States is in complete accord with the Allies in their determination to combat Germany’s new move by every means in their power. This will greatly simplify the Allies’ problem.

“PRUSSIANISM GONE MAD.’'

LONDON, Feb 2

The “Daily Telegraph” says that Count Holhveg’s speech is the most brazen-faced declaration in the records of history. It is “Prussianism gone mad.” It threatens to involve humanity in its own destruction. Hollweg has become a convert of Clausewitz, the missionary of ruthlessness. The theory has already been applied to the German armies, and is now openly and shamelessly adopted by the German navy. The victims are the subjects of neutral powers, including the United States. Germany, the outcast of Europe from the day her troops swarmed into little Belgium, now shouts from the Reichstag and all her embassies that she has done with law and humanity.

UTMOST SECRECY OBSERVED. Received 11.45. NEW YORK, Feb. 2. There ig continual secrecy at the State Department concerning'America's intentions. Mr Lansing refuses to discuss any phase of th e situation. Mr. Wilson played golf this morning. VANCOUVER, Feb. 2. The story of Bernstorff being handed Ids passports as yet unconfirmed. THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. Received 10.55. ROME, Feb 2. Italy is mobilising youths og eighteen years of age. SHORTAGE OF COAL. Received 10.45. COPENHAGEN, Feb. 2. Th e difficulties in coal supply i s the main cause of anxiety in Scandinavia. Norway is ordering large quantities from America. Half of Sweden's coal supply comes from England and the other half from Germany, but the latter has been cut down owing to the short: I .go of labour

ON THE SEA. NEUTRAL SHIPPING STOPS. LONDON, Feb 2. Gothenburg shipping firms are not permitting departures, and have recalled these which have sailed. CHRISTIANIA, Feu 2. Mails and goods traffic to England is suspended. COPENHAGEN, Feb 2. The United Shipping Co., carrying agricultural produce to England, have mopped ail their ships. The Danish Government is considering the Note, and will do its utmost in an endeavour to continue exports. Coals constitute the main problem. ROTTERDAM, Feb 1. The shipbrokers fear that unless America shows the way to an effective protest, Dutch shipowners will be obliged to lay up their ships. SPAIN'S ATTITUDE. MADRID, Feb 1. After a Cabinet discussion on the German Note, the Foreign Minister conferred with the editors of the newspapers, and appealed to their patriotism to observe a discreet composure, as it was feared that when the purport of the Note—which meant an interruption 10 the foreign trade and a grave internal dislocation —became known, disorders might occur. The Note also made it necessary for them to prevent all unnecessary consumption of commodities.

ALLIES READY FOE ENEMY. ATLANTIC SAILINGS TO CONTINUE. NEW YOKE. Feb. 2. Britain and the Allies arc prepared to meet the Germans'’ submarine campaign. The ports of Liverpool and Bordeaux are to be kept open at all hazards. All ships arc to be armed fore and aft for defence purposes. Britain pins been assembling for months a large licet of small fast cruisers to be used as submarine chasers. There is to be no interruption of sailings of Allied from neutral ports. Neutral ves-•u-o likely to be held, awaiting instructions. . HOLLAND PROHIBITS ALL SHIPPING. LONDON, Feb. 2. Latest reports from Holland show that the Government has prohibited all sailings for the present.There was the wildest excitement on the Manchester Exchange. Cotton dropped sensationally, apparently due to 1 fears that America would become involved. The decline reached 130 points, but the market later recovered, and dosed at 40-50 down.

MORE VESSELS SUNK. LONDON, Feb. 2. The British steamer Martazan was I The British vessels Trcacan. Dundee and Ida Duncan; the Belgian vessel Euphrates, and six fishing smacks. A FRENCH OPEN PORT. BEENE Feb. 2. The German note to Switzerland says that Cette is the only French port not affected by the blockade. the barred SHIPPING zone defined. new YORK, Feb 1. The area of the barred zone outlined in the German Notes includes the Atlantic to a point four hundred miles west of Ireland, and extending trom a point three hundred miles west of Cape Pinisterre to a point two hundred miles west of the Faroe Islands. It also includes all the western portion of the North Sea, and all the Mediterranean. There are narrow safety zones across the Atlantic and through the Mediterranean.

THE FRENCH CALM AND UNAFRAID. Received 10.45. PARIS, Feb 2. In the Senate the Minister of Marine declared that the new submarine campaign corresponded to Germany’s attitude in the violation of all war pledges. The Germans were unable to do worse than they have done in the past in the way of frightfulness. We shall remain calm, and unafraid. During the last eleven months fiftyone million tons of shipping came to France and less than half per centum were submarined. IMMUNITY OF ARMED MERCHANT SHIPS. Received 11.40. PARIS, Feb 2. It is stated the British statistical records show that out of a tdcal of seventy-eight armed liners attacked by , • seventy-two escaped. Out in-.i-tred unarmed, only seven.

RUTHLESSNESS COMMENCED. DIVERSION OF SHIPPING. Received 11.40. MADRID, Feb 3. A traveler landed the crew of a torpedoed Banish steamer. Another steamer was towing the crew in hoars, when she was also torpedoed. The trawler pick'ed up the crew. The Spanish ships trading to France and Britain have been diverted. The Spanish Minister of Marino has telegraphed to the port "authorities, prohibiting sailings. THE HAGUE Fob 2. A conference between the Government and shipowners have discussed the possibility of continuing neutral shipping, especially to the Dutch East Indies. The Government promised to support this, also to protect the vessels now afloat. Meantime the Dover;; merit suggested that ships should resail unless the Government was consulted. YMUIDEN, Feb T. A Dutch trawler fishing in the North Sea was■ repeatedly shelled by a German submarine, though she immediately stopped. The shipper asked ter an explanation, and the pirate replied that he believed the trawler attempted to ram the submarine.