UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1916, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

LEAGUE OF PEACE. PRESIDENT'S, visitor —* 4 EXCELLENT IN THEORY. Washington, May 28. 'President Wilson, addressing the ■ League to Enforce Peace, said that i America was ready to join any feasible association of nations to preserve the , peace of the world against political am- ! b-ition and sellish hostility. He hoped : that America would make suggestions for peace if the opportunity presented ; itself. The people would wish the Government to urge, firstly, such a settlement with regard to their own immediate interests as the belligerents might agree upon. Americans had nothing to ask i for themselves. Their interests were only in peace and its future guarantee. . Secondly, they would wish for a universal association of the nations to maintain the inviolable security of the highway of the seas for the common, unhindered use of .ill nations of the world, and to prevent any war beginning either contrary to treaty or covenants or without warning, and after full submission of the causes to the opinion of the world. This would be a virtual guarantee of territorial integrity and political independence. The fundamentals of a lasting peace were, firstly, the right,of every people to choose the sovereignty whereundcr they would live; secondly, that the small States of the world should have the right to enjoy the same respect for their sovereign and for their territorial integrity that great ind powerful nations expected and insisted upon; thirdly, the world had the right to be free from disturbance -which originated in aggression and disregard of the rights of nations. The outstanding lesson of the war was that the peace of the world must <iepcnd on new and more wholesome diplomacy.- Ho was sure he spoke for America when he said: "We are willing to become a partner in any feasible association of nations formed in order to realise these objects and secure them against violation." He was convinced that the world was approaching the day when some conimo;i force would be created for the service of common order, common justice, and common peace. The desire of the world now turned more and more eagerly towards the hope of peace. There was just reason why they should take part in a council upon this great theme. It was right, and he, as spokesman for the United States Government. expressed frankly the thorough purpose of the people of America. _ Their own rights as a nation, their liberties, privileges and property, had been profoundly affected. They were not mere discontented onlookers. The longer the war lasted the more deeply they were concerned that it should be ended and the world permitted to resume its normal life. When it did end they were as much concerned as the belligerents to see a permanent peace in the interests of all nations. What affected mankind was inevitably their affair. The nations must in future be governed, by the same high code of honor as they demanded from individuals. The nations of the world should co-operate in the common cause, of which the guiding principle should be even-handed, impartial justice. "God grant," concluded the President, "that the dawn of the day of frank dealing, settled peace, concord and cooperation may be near at hand." HUGE EXPORfS. BERNSTORFF LIKELY TO RETIRE. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received May 29, 5.5 p.m. London, May 28. A Washington report shows that American exports are nearly 775 millions sterling in excess of imports since the outbreak of the war. A New York report states that Count Bernstorff is stated to have notified the Kaiser that another ambassador will now be more useful. The rumor of Prince von Billow's impending nomination is strengthened. MAILS ON NEUTRAL SHIPS. AMERICAN IPKOTEST. Washington, May 27. The Note protesting against the Anglo-French treatment of neutral mails lias been published. It denounces the alleged arbitrary methods of forcing neutral ships into ports in order to seize mails, and complains of the loss of important and irreplaceable documents and the delays. The Note concludes that only a radical change of ' the Anglo-French policy, restoring to the United States her full rights as a neutral Power, will satisfy her. In a general sense the Note is friendly. It admits that the difference concerns practice, not principles, and concedes the right to seize securities, cheques and notes, which right was hitherto contested.