America and War.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1915, Page 5

America and War.

THE REPLY TO GERMANY. COURTEOUS HUT CXYIELDIXG. ■Washington. .July SI. The American Note to be presented to Berlin is courteous but unyielding, and its terms frequently are strong. It announces the intention of regarding as deliberately unfriendly anv repetition of German aets contravening American rights. The United States continues to contend for the freedom of the sea, in whatever quarter this is violated, without compromise and at any cost. ;

DETAILS OF THE NOTE

ax untjkxdjxg attitude. Received .Inly -,"., f>.2o p.m. s London, July 21. c President Wilson's despatch considers ( Germany's Note oT'uiy s most unsatis- .> factory, as it fails to meet the; real \ differences. The .President indicates that it in no way applies the accepted principles of law and humanity to the grave matter in controversy, but proposes, on the contrary, arrangements for the partial suspension of those principles which virtually set them aside. The. United States Government notes with satisfaction that Germany recognises, without reservation, the validity of the principles insisted upon in prcvious American communications, the principles being that the high are e free, that the cargo and character of J merchantmen must lie ascertained ■before ' destruction, ami that the lives of non- * combatants must in no case he jeopar- |- (liscd unless a vessel resists, or attempts ' to escaipe. after being ashed to submit to exa.liiinatiom, but President AVilson is keenly disappointed that Germany ;_ regards itself as exempt from these - principles, even where neutral vessels are concerned, by what Berlin believe,? to be 'the (policy of Britain regarding ■ neutral commerce. America cannot discuss the .British Government's policy, except 'with Britain; the conduct of'other belligerents irrelevant to the discussion of the grave and unjustifiable viola-' turns of the rights of American citizens. Illegal and inhuman acts against the enemy, however they may be deemed .iust-iflaibie, are indefensible when they deprive neutrals of their rights, and tyticiilai-iy when they violate the right of life itself. If a belligerent cannot retaliate without injury to the lives find proverty of neutrals, humanity and justice should dictate a discontinuance of the practice. Washington recognises the changed conditions of warfare, but cannot consent to the 'abatement of the fundamental rights of the people. The rights of neutrals are based on principle, not expediency, and it is a belligerent's duty to find a way to adapt the new circumstances thereto. The past tw» months had shown that it is practicable to conduct submarine operations in the' war zone in accord with the accepted practices of warfare, and the whole world looked on .with satisfaction that there ' was demonstration of the .possibility of lining subtaarine attacks above criticism. Washington cannot believe that ' Berlin will longer refrain from disavowing the wanton sinking of the Lusitania ano offering reparation for American lives lost by that illegal,ict. Washington cannot accept the suggestion that "certain vessels will ibe allowed to sail free on the seas, and now illegally prescribed and that other vessels would be subjected , to illegal attack. Both Governments are contending for the same object, and \ had long stood together urging the very principles the United States now sof- ' emnly insists upon. Both are contend- ' ing for the freedom of the seas, and the i United States will continue to contend for that freedom, from whatever quarter it is violated, without compromise and ' at any cost. It invites the practical eo- * operation of the German Government at ! a time when co-operation will ascomplish most, and this great common ob- ' ject be .most-strikingly and effectively achieved. The German ■Government expresses the hope "that this object may m some measure he accomplished, even before the war enus, and it can be. The Government of the United States not only feels obliged but will insist upon it, by whomsoever violated or ignored, in protecting its own citizens, but is also deeply interested in seeing that it is practicable between the belligerents themselves, and holds itself ready 3 at any time to act as a common iribnd < who may be privileged to suggest a way. 1 -Meantime, the very value which the ( American Government sets upon a long 1 unbroken friendship impels it to impress most solemnly upon the German v Government the necessity for the scru- c ■pulous observance of neutrals' rights in i this critical matter. This friendship it- r self prompts the Government to say to t the Imperial Government that a rcpeti- i tion by commanders of German naval a vessels of acts in contravention of those < rights must be regarded by the United t States, when they affect American citi- 1, zens, a« deliberately unfriendly. f

GETTING READY. \ -XAVY TO BE MATffi EFFICIENT. Received July 25. 5.0 p.m. (Washington, July 24. - President Wilson is calling a conference of the Secretaries for War and for the Xavy, regarding the United States' preparedness for all oveaitualitics. Advice is being sought from every professional source. President AVilson desires the navy to equal in efficiency that of any Power.

STRIKES CONTINUE. RIOTIXO AN'D iBLOODSriED. deceived July 25, 5.5 p.m. S'ew York, July 24'. There was serious rioting in connection with the strike at the Standard Oil Works. Four strikers . were killed and inrmlbers wounded in skirmishing between the .guards and the crowds," the strikers replying with revolver volleys. Powerful searchlights helped to keep the rioters in check, but sniping continued throughout the night. Early in the morning a score of strikers tried to reach the wall of Tcie works with oiP soaked waste, intending to burn them down. The guards tired, mid two men fell. A hundred or more shots were exchanged. Later.-another batch tried to approach will; fifty pounds -of dynamite. The guards opened lire and dmve them back. The sher.ilV has asked the Governor to call out the troops. The strikers demand 15 per cent, increase in wages, but the manager announced that they must return to their places and work lor four days before .lu- would 'grant a ((inference.

A SERIOUS SITUATION. Received July 20. ?,.") p.m. New York, Julv 24. There is a serious spread of strikes in the eastern States. The gravest factor is the suspicion that German propagandists are planning an industrial 'upheaval which will stop war supplies to the Allies. The strikes are confined ■to war industries—munitions, oil, and shipping. The Government is awakening to the magnitude of the conspiracy. Federal agents have warned the Cleveland munition manufacturers that plots are afoot to blow up the plant.

THE OK'DUXA. Received July 25. ;i.5 p.m. Xmv York, July 24. The Orduna report has been drawn up. Tt is stated unofficially that it supports the allegation of a submarine attack. It is considered certain that America , will demand an explanation from Germany. " ».;.i..:.A I