UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

RIGHT ABOUT FACE. ARMED MERCHANTMEN. London, Feb. 10. Renter's Washington correspondent says that America concedes the- Entente's right to arm merchantmen defensively, and ffill disapprove the German intention to torpedo them. President Wilson and the Cabinet have decided that the existing principles oi international law regarding merchantmen must stand unless the Allies accept Mr. Lansing's recent proposals. The State Department recognises that the existing law cannot be changed without the consent of all the Powers, but may instruct port authorities to refuse clearances unless the ships are armed purely for the defensive. It is expected that Mr: Wilson will not press Congress to prevent Americans sailing in belligerents' ships.

THE GALL OF THE HUN. NOTHING SACRED. New York, Feb. 18. Chicago reports, as to the sequel to a recent banquet given by a visiting Roman Catholic bishop when 300 guests suffered from eating poisoned soup, that the police claim to have discovered a plot to destroy the buildings of the clergy and laity in twelve cities in the United States. The police seized correspondence between John Allegrin and Jean Crones, two members of the alleged committee of fifteen who are leaders in the plot, which included descriptions of bombs to wreck buildings and kill church-goers. The plans to destroy churches pointed to forty Chicago churches where fires have occurred in the last few years and the recent attempt to blow up the State penitentiary, STEAMERS BURNED. WHILE LOADING MUNITIONS. V Received Feb. 17, 5.5 p.m. New York, Feb. 16. The steamships Bolton Castle and Pacific have been destroyed by a disastrous fire. Two deaths occurred. The pier at which the steamers were berthed was burnt, and incendiarism is suspected. The steamers were loading munitions for Viadivostock. * i, I