UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1915, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

iTERN NOTE TO AUSTRIA. REPARATION DEMANDED. FOR THE ANCONA MURDER. Received Dec. 13, 9 p.m. *' Washington, Dec. 13. A Note to Austria denounces the sinkfig of the Ancona as an outrage. The torpedoing of the ship before those aboard were able to leave was wanton ■laughter of defenceless non-combatants. The Not* emphasises the gravity of a deed which the world has condemned as inhuman and barbarous, and abhorrent to all civilised nations, America expects a prompt disavowal, indemnity, and punishment of the responsible persons. very strained relations. fiWTUKE MORE THAN PROBABLE.

Received Dec. 14, 1.10 a.m. London, Dec. 13. , The Daily Telegraph's Washington correspondent says that .the feeling in Government circles is that there is a strong probability of a break with Austria, unJess her reply is prompt and satisfactory. It is now admitted that the relations between Austro-Germany and America lire strained and are held together by the slenderest diplomatic threads, the Severing of which will not cause any surprise.

MORE REASONABLE ATTITUDE.

$| AIIERIOA HAS SPOKEN, \ London, Dec. 12. It is noteworthy that Count Bernitorff has already decided to be reasonable regarding Captains Boyed and von Papen. It is generally felt that the United States has at la9t spoken. She fervently desires peace and has done everything possible to continue good relations with the Central Powers. The impasse now rests entirely on the shoiiljlera qf Germany. FOR HOME CONSUMPTION. I CRITICISM OF CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. New York, Dec. 12. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg's speech was sent by wireless to America before It was delivered. The newspaper World comments that it ia intended chiefly for home consumption. Hcrr von Bethmann-Hollweg could expect nobody outside Germany to believe all his claims. The majority of the people in the Fatherland, despite having been regaled with victories from the beginning, realise that the country is a besieged fortress, and this resu'ts in an intolerable' strain on their nerves. Despite her' nominal triumphs Germany has gained nothing decisive to counterbalance h«r terrible sacrifices. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg uses brave words with a view of arousing the people to further sacrifices.

ANOTHER OUTRAGE. New York, Dec. 12. A package containing six sticks of dynamite equipped with caps and fuse, was found near the Alhambra Creek bridge on the Southern Pacific railroad, which is used by trains carrying the output of the Hercules Powder Company and the Standard Oil Company. It is believed it was the work of persons desirous of impeding the progress of war faunition work for the Allies.