THE ALLIES PREPARED.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1917, Page 5

THE ALLIES PREPARED.

ALL SHIPS TO BE ARMED. LARGE FLEET OF CHASERS READY. Reuler Service. Received Feb. 2, 0.40 Xew York, Feb. I. Britain and her allies are prepared to meet the Germans' move in the submarine campaign The ports of Liverpool and Bordeaux will be kept open at all hazards. All ships will be armed fore and aft for defence- purposes. The British have been assembling for months a largo fleet of small but fast cruisers to be used as submarine chasers. There will be no interruption of the sailings of the Allies' ships to American ports, but neutral vessels are likely to be held, awaiting instructions.

BEGINNING OF THE END. A. DECLARATION OF WAR -AGAINST THE WORLD. AMERICA IN' ACCORD WITH ALLIES. DRASTIC PRESS COMMENTS. Received Feb. 2, 8.50 p.m. London, Feb. 2. The Germans' declaration of unlimited piracy is the whole topic of newspaper and public discussion. It is generally regarded as a declaration of war against the world, and, therefore, the beginning of the end. There is every indication that the United States is in complete accord with the Allies in their determination to combat Germany's new move by every means in their power, and this -will greatly simplify the Allies' problem. The Daily Chronicle says that the basis of the German Note is its frigid calculation of military advantage, divorced, like the attack upon Belgium, from the slightest restraining regard for humanity, law, and civilised opinion. Certainly, Germany cannot desire the United States to join the war, because if United States (lid the great German liners interned in America would become carriers for the Allies, and a prey for the German submarines. Germany is unwise to deal with the United States in such a grossly insulting way. Americans are profoundly pacific, but they have strong national self-respect, and when they do move they resemble a land-slide. Their action is likely to determine that of other neutrals. I 'MU'SSIAXISM GONE MAD. The Daily Telegraph says that Herr voi Bethmann-Holhveg's speech is the most brazen-faced declaration ever recorded in history. It is Prussianism gone mad, and threatens to involve humanity in its own destruction. Hollweg has become a convert of Clausewitz, the missionary of ruthlessncss. a theory that has already been applied to German armies, and is now openly and shamelessly adopted by the German Navy, whose victims are to be the subjects of neutral Powers, including the United States. GERMANY, THE OUTCAST OF EUROPE. Germany, the outcast of Europe from the day her troops swarmed over little Belgium, now shouts from the Reichstag any all her Embassies that she has done with the laws of humanity. GERMAN NOTE TO SWITZERLAND. Renter Service. Received Feb. 2, 9.40 p.m. Berne, Feb. 1. The German Note to Switzerland states that Cette is the only French port that is not affected by the blockade. PRETENDED GERMAN INDIFFERENCE. ; Reuter S'ervice. Received Fob. 2, 9.40 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 1. The German newspapers discuss, with a show of imperturbability, the prospect of America taking up a belligerent position against Germany. ADMIRALTY GRAPPLING WITH PROBLEM. Received Feb. 2 ,5.25 p.m. London, Feb. 1. On Edward Carson states that tlw declaration regarding the submarines dees not minimise the new dangers, but the Admiralty is grappling with the new problem with vigor from hour to hour. Anxieties only! -'stir us to greater and increasing efforts.

POSITION OF DUTCH SHIPOWNERS. Received Feb. 2, 5.15 p.m. Rotterdam, Feb. 1. Shipbrokers fear that unless America shows the way to an effective protest, Dutch shipowners will be obliged to lay up their ships. DENMARK ALARMED. .Received Feb. 2, 5.25 p.m. Copenhagen, Feb. 1. The National Tidende states that the Government is conferring with trade representatives on the new situation, and that financiers contemplate closing the Stock Exchange to avoid a panic. EFFECT OF NOTE IN SPAIN. Received Feb. 2, 8.50 p.m. Madrid, Feb. I. After a Cabinet discussion over the German Note, the Foreign Minister conferred with the- editors of newspapers, and appealed to their patriotism to observe a discreet composure, as it was feared that when the purport of the Note, which meant the interruption of foreign trade and grave internal dislocation, became know;i, disorders might occur. The Note a'so made it necessary to prevent all unnecessary consumption of commodities. SENSATIONAL DROP IN COTTON. Received Feb. 2, 10.20 p.m. There is the wildest excitement on the Manchester Exchange. Cotton dropped sensationally, apparently due to feais that America may 'be involved in the war. The decline reached 132 points, but later recovered, and closed 40 to 50 Mints down.