AMERICA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 26 June 1917, Page 5

AMERICA.

A BIT OF HISTORY.. .

EXPLANATION OF WILSON'S

NOTES TO BELLIGERENTS.

GERMANY DID NOT INTEND TO KEEP HER PLEDGE. Received 9.15 a.m. WASHINGTON, June 25. The Committee of Public Information las issued a pamphlet explaining President Wilson's Note of last December asking the belligerent's war aims, simultaneously with a statement by Mr L.ansing that the country was on the verge of war. The pamphlet says the Government was informed that Germany did not' intend keeping the pledge given during the Sussex controversy that she would not sink merchantmen unwarned. The German peace! note plainly indicated that Gex-, many■ insisted on such terms as" would ■leave Central Europe under German domination, thus building an empire menacing the world and enabling Germany to crush her adversaries. The United States learned that Germany intended more intense Truthless submar-

ining, and would not respect the rights mMI neutrals unless neutrals influence a peace favourable to Germany. The re- ' fusal of Germany to state her term 3 •was an evasion of Wilson's request to state her war aims, while the Entente answered frankly/-" '■"■"' CONTROLLING EXPORT OF COMMODITIES. Received 9.45. i ,-: WASHINGTON, June 25. •;.>.'Tb.e New ijXork Times' Washington Correspondent, states that President Wilson] has ordered the Secretary of< State to create an Exports' Control Board, including representations of the departments of State, War, Navy, and Food administration, for the purpose of regulating the exports of certain commodities necessary to the -welfare of the United States and her Allies. Grain, coal and steel are probably the most important, all shipments of which have to be licensed. It is stated the action is not the complete cutting off of any kind of exports to neutrals, but empowers tne Government to diminish exports to any country obtaining more than it requires for its own consumption.

AUSTRIAN AFFAIRS.

TROOPS FIRE ON WOMEN.

Received 9.15 a.m. LONDON, June 25.

A telegram from Milan states that a Ceech deputy has revealed to the Austrian Parliament that troops fired on a crowd of women and bread demonstrators before the Town Hall at Prossnitz, in Moraved, killing 20 and wounding 40.

BRITAIN AND HOLLAND.

GRAVE POLITICIAL CRISIS.

AMSTERDAM, June 24.

The populace in Eotterdam seized and distributed lighters' loads of potatoes consigned to the British Government. This has created a grave politicial situation. Under a Dutch-British

agreement, Holland was allowed to export 50 per cent, q£,i her potato crop equally between Britain and Germany. As Holland owed Britain 11,000 tons on the 1916 agreement, Britain insisted on receiving it from the 1917 crop before any was exported to Germany. The British authorities at The Hague ascertained that Holland was preparing

to export to Germany and gave warn-

ing that grave consequences might eninvolving the fate of Dutch ships in Allied harbours. Britain now insists ■ that seized tubers must be replaced and the agreement scrupulously observed.

NORWAY

A NORWEGIAN .SENSATION,

GERMAN UNDERHAND WORK.

MANY GERMANS- ARRESTED

CHRISTIANIA, June 24

The authorities discovered largo depots of explosives and infernal machines, which, it is believed, came from Germany. Some of the explosives were digested as coal briquetes. It is suggested that these were placed aboard ships and that they explain the mysterious losses of Norwegian vessels. Owing to excitement and rumours caused by the discovery, the Government issued a communique stating that great quantities of explosives had been seized and that several foreigners had been, arrested. Full details were promised when investigations 1 were completed.' .. • ■ The '/Tidenstegn" states that three Finns and a German baron named Von Hautenfels were arrested. A thousand kilograms of most dangerous explosives were seized. The Press is. convinced that these,were responsible for the loss of many ships and demands that the severest punishment be inflicted.

VAST GERMAN PLOT DISCLOSED

CHRISTIANIA, Julie 24.

A special meeting of the Storthing, in camera, discussed the discovery of a vast German plot against Norway's security. Many German agents have been arrested.

PAN-GERMAN DREAM.

ZURICH, June 24,

The Pan-German Press publishes an article, which is believed to have emanated from the Berlin court, stating that peace without annexation or indemnity would be a catastrophe, wrecking German prestige throughout the world. Even a peace which restored German colonies for the occupied territories would mean England's triumph. Such a result would mean the failure of monarchist principles, If the people lost confidence in Germany's strength and Government in the future, then social democracy must instal itself throughout the Empire.

EXPLOSIVES AS DIPLOMATIC LUGGAGE.

Received 8.45

CHRISTIANIA, June 25

The seized explosives of German manufacture reached Norway under cover of diplomatic luggage, and foreign State luggage is not examined. Von Hautenfers pleads the explosives were intended for Finland, not for sinking Norwegian vessels.

SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURES PROMISED.

TWENTY N£>RiWEG£AN SfEHPSt MYSTERIOUSLY LOST.

Received 10.15,

COPENHAGEN, June 25,

Norwegian newspapers have been sent an official statement, which they are about to issue. It will prove more sensational than the facts at present known. Over twenty Norwegian ships, with whole crews, have been mysteriously lost. ON THS SEA. AMERICAN ADMIRAL IN COMMAND OF BRITISH FLEET.

FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

Received 8.45

LONDON, June 25

Admiral Sims, of the U.S. Navy, has temporarily taken over the Irish naval command. This is\£he first time in history an American admiral has commanded a British fleet.