UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1916, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

AMERICA'S ANSWER. .PRESS COMMENTS. ON A "BOX ON THE EAR." Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, May 12. Opinions vary regarding America's answer to Germany. An important section of the French press consider that it will be uncompromising, even threatening. M. Herve, in La Victoire, says that President Wilson has spoken the last word, and an eventual rupture is certain. The Gaulois compares President Wilson's reply to a box on the ear, adding: "One thing is clear: the era of submarine warfare is ended." English press comments are scanty and guarded. The Manchester Guardian says the issue is again postponed. America and Germany have refused to take decisive steps, and both are hanging on to words and phrases. American political conditions are holding America back and making President Wilson clutch at straws.

The Brazilian press is impatiently commenting on President Wilson's answer, stating that neutrals are bitterly resentful at the threatened continuance of submarine warfare.

The Rio de Janeiro paper 0 Paiz is conducting a campaign for the constitution of a Neutrals' League, under America's leadership, and says that President Wilson's ultimatum would .have been taken more seriously if such a league existed. It describes America's attitude as tardy and irresolute. GERMANY'S MEDICAL SUPPLIES. I BRITAIN REP-LIES TO A COMPLAINT. Received May 13, S.S p.m. London, May 12. The Associated Press in America publishes a semi-official British reply to the American complaint that Britain is intercepting medical supplies going to Germany. It points out that Germany's supplies are ample, and the troops need not go short if. given priority. The Allies possess a legal right to intercept supplies, but Britain is willing to allow their despatch through the American Red Cross Society if Germany will guarantee to reply to the intentions of the German attacks on the Asturias and Portugal. QUESTION OF TRADE. PRESIDENT DEFERS ACTION. Received May 13, 5.5 p.m. Washington, May 12. President Wilson has decided to defer further communication on the trade question with Britain until the submarine question with Germany has been satisfactorily settled. President Wilson feels that Germany is endeavoring to embroil the United States and Britain in a complicated situation, so he will refuse, for the present, to make any more protests to Britain. A GERMAN FAUX PAS.

PRESIDENT WILSON ANNOYED. Received May 15, 1.15 a.m. London, May 14. The Weekly Dispatch's New York correspondent says that Germany's attempt to persuade America to press the blockade question against Britain is regarded as one of the most serious blunders of German statesmanship has made since the war. President Wilson regards it a3 a personal affront, equivalent to dictating to him how to manage liis own business. The faux pas has riVieved the possibility of a serious Anglo-Ameri-can misunderstanding for the future.