UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1916, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

THE WOBBLING POLICY, A STRONG DENUNCIATION. New York, February 16. At the Republican State Convention Mr. Klilm Root denounced Die Wilson Administration for failing to protest at the killing of Americans either in Mexico or upon tiie ocean. He said that American diplomacy bad entirely lost its authority., and the United -States had become known for brave words but irresolute action. When they failed to tell the truth about Belgium they lost the opportunity of taking the leadership of the world's moral sen?e.

HUNNISH SLIMNESS. MORE ASSURANCE WANTED. deceived Feb. 18, 9.25 p.m. London, Feb. 18. The Daily Chronicle's New York correspondent says that Count Bcrnstorif has been outmatched by President Wilson. It is now announced that America will not accept the Lusifaniii settlement until she. is assured that the Teutons programme of assassination of non-belligerent merchantmen without warning wul not nullify the Arabic promises. Apparently, Mr. Lansing's announcement, made after the Cabinet meeting as an indication that the Administration would accept the new policy, is repudiated by President Wilson, who holds—firstly, the respect of neutrals' rights; secondly, the safety of American citizens; thirdly, a strict regard for international law. Instead of the friction being almost entirely removed the President regards the position as becoming more difficult. Mr. Lansing told Count Bernstorfl' the latest proposals acceptable so far as the Lnsitania was concerned, but demanded assurances that Germany would not carry on the sinking of armed merchantmen to the extent of sinking passengercarrying liners, even if they were armed for defence.

[N THE WEST. "INTERNATIONAL TRENCH." SECURED BY GERMANS HEAVY FIGHTING. London, February 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports artillery bombardments on both sides, with heavy hand grenade fighting, during the past twenty-four hours between Ypres and the Comiues canal and railway. The fighting continues. Yesterday's capture of six hundred yards of our trench was pieceded by a heavy bombardment, rendering it untenable. The attacks, which extended over four thousand yards of front, were repulsed everywhere else, with considerable enemy loss. The trench captured l*as frequently changed hands during the last year, and is therefore known as the "international trench."

-NOTHING MUCH DOING. Received Feb. 18, 10.25 p.m. London, Feb. IS. General Sir Douglas Haig reports:— The enemy exploded a mine south of Loos. Our fire checked an attempt to occupy the crater, but we occupied the near edge. The situation at Ypres and Comines is unchanged. A Paris communique reports: A destructive fire has been kept up on the enemy organisations towards Steenstraete and opposite. Boesinghe. GERMAN OFFENSIVE LOOKED FOR. ■ '""" Paria, Feb. 17. The bulk of military opinion is inclined to believe that the Germans' activity in the West foreshadows a general offensive. In nearly every ease the attacks were made on salients to test the Allied lines, but practically all the enemy achieved was the occupation of a few craters prepared at infinite expense in high explosives and labor.