America

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 5

America

NAVY LEAGUE'S PAMPHLET. THE DEFENCE QUESTION. Times and Sydney Sun Services, London, December 8, The Times' New York correspondent writes that both Navy and i Army Leagues in America have opened fire on the Pacificists, who arc arguing that bloated armaments are the chief cause of the present war. The Navy League's pamphlet aroused deep ire among Ger-man-Americans, by denouncing Germany as the instigator of the war and pointing out that the weakness of Belgium and Luxemburg provoked the attack of Germany. New York, December 8.

Leading Americans have inaugurated a non-party Security League to impress upon the President and Congress,! the immediate necessity of investigating the country's defences. President Wilson announces that he is opposed to the idea of Congress investigating national defence, as it would create an unfavourable impression. Washington, December 8. President Wilson, in opening Congress, asserted that the United States would never in the time of peace be ready to put into the field a nation of men trained to arms. Mr Wilson objected entirely f,o compulsory military service, declaring that it was unnecessary. The Democrats cheered this statement. Proceeding, Mr Wilson referred to how the United States had stunted and hindered its growth of its mercantile marine and Government sniping services to Central and South America. It was imperative that the programme of the administration regarding the legislation on business should be virtually completed. The road was now clear before every honest business man. Mr Wilson declared, in conclusion that when half the world was on fire, the United States should be careful to make a moral insurance against the spread of the conflagration which could be defined as certain ana adequate. Although some Americans were nervous and excited, there was no need to turn the country into a military camp.

EIGHTS OF NEUTRAL STATES. I A COMMISSION OF DIPLOMATS. Received 9, 9.40 p.m. Washington, December 0. Twenty Republicans of Central and South America met under Mr. Bryan's presidency, and agreed that, as the activities of belligerents in South American waters have already created' considerable friction, decided to appoint a Commission, consisting of diplomats, to formulate practical steps, with a view to more vigorous assertion of neutral nations' responsibilities. The conference agreed that the form in which the operations of belligerents were developing rebounded to the injury of neutrals, because the respective rights of belligerents and neutrals were' not clearly defined. The proposed diplomatic CommisI sion will report its findings to the Governing Board of the Pan-American Union.