UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1916, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

THE GERMAN NOTE. "COLOSSAL IMPUDENCE." MORE SUBTERFUGE. STOCK MARKETS DEMORALISED. Washington, May 5. The German reply to the American Note offers to restrict submarine warfare within the limits of the United States demands if the United States will compel Britain to abide by the dictates of international law. The stock markets in New York are demoralised, as it is believed President Wilson will now be obliged to break off diplomatic relations. Unless the United States accepts Germany's overtures regarding Britain controlling the seas, Germany announces that she will reserve her full liberty of action on the seas.

T he German Note quotes tho new order to German naval forces, instructing officers to observe the principle of visiting and searching merchant vessels both within and without the naval war zone. It further expects the United States to insist that Britain shall conduct the blockade in accordance with the rights ol neutral shipping, failing which Germany reserves "complete liberty of decision." THE SUSSEX. GUILTY—BUT WON'T DO IT AGAIN. Washington, May 5. Germany's reply is one of the longest documents of the war. It still insists on treating armed merchantmen as cruisers, and reiterates the pledges for the safety of Americans. It admits the attack on the Sussex and promises that it shall not recur.

It recalls Britain's alleged failure to answer various American protests concerning the British 'blockade. aK AMAZING CLAIM. Germany repudiates the suggestion that she lias in any way violated international law by using submarines. She takes exception to the American state-' ment that Germany has indiscriminately destroyed neutral vessels during the past year, and professes that every consideration has been shown to neutrals, except within the war zone around the British Isles, where neutrals carrying enemy freight were encountered! Germany had made many offers to the United States to prevent American passengers travelling on enemy ships, but the United States refused to accept the suggestions, therefore the United States itself cannot escape the responsibility.

THE OLD CRY. Germany, however, renews this offer. Germany cannot dispense with submarine warfare, as Britain is breaking international law in wholesale fashion and starving women and children. Germany is anxious to confine the war purely to the belligerent forces, but Britain has extended it to women and children, and, in self-defence, Germany has been obliged to resort to submarines. CONDITIONS UNALTERED. Germany offers furthermore to order submarine commanders not to sink any ships anywhere unless after due warning and safeguarding the crew. The only exception is if ships attempt to escape or offer resistance. This offer, however, is conditional on the United States cooperating with Germany to -restore the freedom of the seas, as the United States suggested previously in Notes to the British Government. If the United States fails to do this Germany will hold herself free to deal with the situation thus arising with complete freedom of action,

NOTE DENOUNCED. The Cabinet is considering the unofficial text of the Note. It is understood that no hasty action will be taken. The press denounces the Note as a piece of colossal impudence. THE COUNTER ULTIMATUM. LIKELY TO BE ACCEPTED. THE PRESIDENT A WEAKLING. NEWSPAPERS PROTEST STRONGLY. Received May 7, 5.5 p.ißi Washington, May 6. It is considered practically certain that the United States will accept the German Note as to the cessation of submarine warfare, except in accordance with international law, but will allow to remain in abeyance the German condition that the United States will approach Britain in order to secure freedom of the seas. If Germany, however, again breaks her piomise by sinking merchantmen, then diplomatic relations will be broken off forthwith.

Representative newspapers oppose any such weakening of the Cabinet's attitude. The New York Herald points out that it is now tlie anniversary of the Lusitania crime, and lynch law is still in force 011 the seas, and the lyncher is still an unrepentant bully. The newspaper declares that the German Xote is farcical and offers no hope of settlement. Germany's efforts to place the responsibility on Britain are as hopeless as her efforts to prove that Russia, France and Britain were responsible for the war. The New York World says that it is preposterous to imagine that Germany has really yielded. The Tribune declares that no country M ould submit to Germany's counter ultimatum and preserve her self-respect. If President Wilson now gives in, America will never forgive him. COOL IMPUDENCE. [Received May 8, 5.5 p.m. London, May 5. Germany hopes that America will accept the new orders regarding submarines as satisfactory, and that America will reciprocate by insisting that Britain will observe the dictates of humanity. If America fails to attain this, Germany is faced with a new situation, involving complete 'liberty of decision. Tlie Note concludes: "Germany is resolved to go to the limit in concessions, in view of tlie great doom that is threatening the world if this cruel and aanjfttinargjror u continued.*