UNITED STATES. THE NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1915, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

THE NEAR EAST.

CONGRESS OPENS. THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH, TROUBLE FROM WITHIN. INTRIGUERS DENOUNCED. Washington, Dec, 7. President Wilson opened Congress He emphasised the necessity fur remain, ing neutral during the European war and asked for great increases in the naval and military forces, including the creation of a continental army. The latter proposal was received in silence. President .Wilson referred at length to Pan-Americanism and the full partnership between the North and South American nations.

Violators of American neutrality wjirc scathingly dencfiuicod, and new laws to deal with them were advocated,

Referring to Pan-Americanism, President Wilson insisted that tiie United States had made common cause with all the partisans of liberty on this side of .the Atlantic, and would have to set aside America as a whole for the uses of independent nations and political freedom.

The President emphasised that it was the duty of Americana to remain neutral so that some part of the great ■fijinily of nations could keep the pro-cess-place alive, if only to prevent economic ruin and 'breakdown throughout the world. Ho concluded ;<?. upholding .the Monroe doctrine, instancing Mexico as a test case. Tie .stressed the necessity for an adequate American mercantile marine and the purchase or construction of Government vessels to develop overseas trade and trade between the American continents.

The Daily Chronicle's Washington correspondent says that German influences are active in the lobbies, emphasising the war's prejudicial effect on America's shipping and commercial interests. ' The Homing Post's correspondent comments: "An American mercantile marine subject to a British Order-in-Couneil is a national shame."

In Congress, President Wilson did not accuse the Germans of complicity, though he obviously referred to Teutonic outrage?, which, he declared, were as grave as the country's differences had been with other nations. He was sorry to say the gravest threats against peace and safety were uttered within our own borders, and it made him blush to admit there are, in the United States, citizens born under .other .flags but fully naturalised, who sought to bring authority and the good name of the Government into contempt, and who sought to destroy industries for vindictive purposes. He continued,: "We made no preparation for such a contingency, and we would be ashamed to do so. But ugly and incredible things have come about which demand Federal laws to crush out such creatures of passion, disloyalty and anarchy. Although our various States are subjected to cross current *ml contused politics in a world of lioilil. •■'.•air',;*, we are united in spirit a,;d cannot ■-■ dU,ippointed in our peacefi'i J:--V-:-.-. '.Ve never dreamed that men who Mere sworn in our citizenship would maiign and react gainst the country and the people who nurtured and welcomed them. Foreign plntters arc not numerous, but they are sufficient to bring deep disgrace upon FUNNY FORD IGNORED. Washington, Dec. 7. Mr. Ford sent a wireless message to Congress to support his peace plans to end the European war, i.'-.ngrcss offered no reply. GliiUiANY'* MILITARY ATTACHES. Washington, Dec. 7. Answering Germany's unprecedented protest and request for information with regard to the dismissal of the militar,- attaches, Mr. Lansing stated they were entirely because of their military and naval activities.

MORE INTRIGUES. ' limes and Sydney Sun Services. New York, Dec. 7. Many higli Austro-German official have fallen into the Government's net and are likely to be arrested on grave charges. The Government has evidence, apart from the disclosures at the trials, and is preparing demands for the recall of the Austrian consuls at New York, Pittsburg, and Cleveland, the charge d'affaires at Washington, and probably the German fiscal agent and ConsulGeneral. Captain Boyed's plots extended to Mexico.

FOR EGYPT. VIA BAGDAD. Geneva, Dee. 7. Le Journal de Geneva states that the Germans have planned a great effort by the Turlc3 in Mesopotamia. It seems to be connected with the Persian developments. The railways in Anatolia are exclusively used for war transport. The Germans fear a British landing at Adana, from where General von der Goltz's communications are specially vulnerable.

Although the Germans ostensibly threaten to attack Egypt it is more probaMe that they will devote the winter to an attempt to reach the Persian Gulf via Bagdad, but the Sinai railway is already completed to Hafir, CO miles from Suez.

Advices from Constantinople state that General von der Galtz is the commander of the Turkish forces in Mesopotamia.