SITUATION UNCHANGED.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1917, Page 5

SITUATION UNCHANGED.

.AMERICA'S FIRST STEP. DETAILS OF GERMAN CAMPAIGN. DUMMY' PERISCOPES WITH MINES Reuter Service. 'Received Feb. 5, 12.50 a.rn, Washington, Feb. 5. The situation was unchanged at midnight It is believed unlikely, in the event of war, that the United States will enter as an ally of Britain or France, or scud an army to Europe. It, is probable that the first step will 'OO the establishment of a line of speedy cruising vessels, from a hundred miles out from Halifax to a point east uf Pcrto Rico. The .New York Tribune's special correspondent, who has returned from a ir.cnth's visit to Germany, says that, in piecing the new campaign, Germany has determined to draw more than a submarine ring round the coasts of England. Submarines will bo equipped for laying mines, and hundreds of thousands of these have been made and stored for the second line of blockade. Submarines will be supplied from stations anchored at convciKent, secret, rocky wastes, guarded by high explosive mines. As a device to evade capture they will set adrift countless dummy periscopes with powerful mines attached. One German officer boasted That a super-submarine, with collapsible masts, and stowable superstructure, and disguised as a surface ship would be sent out to take up the work 0; the Enidcn.

AMERICA PREPARING. DEALING WITH SPIES PETITION FROM AUSTRO-GERMANS. Received Feb, 5, 11.55 p.m. Washington, Feb. 5. There are many evidences of preparation for the possibility of war. Mr. Daniels is asking Congress for authority to commandeer private ammunition and equipment plants. The Senate has approved Bills to facilitate dealing with spies, and the publication of Naval Orders has been terminated. Five hundred representatives of Aus-tro-German societies, with a membership of 100,000, petitioned President Wilson, pledging their loyalty to the United States, and praying that every effort may ba made to avert war.

HOLLAND'S PLIGHT. P'RETENDE.D GERMAN FRIENDSHIP, COUNTRY FACED WITH STARVATION. j Received Feb. G, l?,.o0 a.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 5. Germany professes her willingness not to apply the blockade restrictions overseverely, l>ut it is pointed out that, if America enters the war, Germany'will prevent Holland drawing thenee further supplies. Germany declared her friendliness for Holland recently by saying that she did not desire to cause her needless inconvenience. Representative Dutchmen do not believe Germany 'wants to attack Holland, where she cannot hope to secure much food. Holland will endeavor to preserve the peace, but there is no denial that dangers exist. Rumors of German troops concentrating on the frontier are causing anxiety. •The rupture between America and Germany caused a profound sensation. ■ilTolland is facing starvation, for her grain stocks will only lasit a, few weeks, and American supplies are expected to cease. THE TOLL. ' FRENCH TRANSPORT SUNK. Vessels sunk are: —Dutch, Gamma; fc'ntisk, Specdonin, barque. Times Service. Paris, Feb. 4. The Ministry'of Marine announce* that, the steamer Admiral Magon, conveying lino troops to Saltvika, was submarined on Januarj 21, and sank in ten minutes. The convoying destroyer Arc, assisted by another destroyer and seven trawlers, saved 800. The explosion killed the majority of the victims. London, Feb. 4. Further sinkings are: —The Norwegian steamer ITeiuland wns mined and seven men drowned; the British steam trawlers Alexandra and Shamrock. Received Feb. 5, R/20 p.m. London, Feb. 4. The Norwegian steamer Ymer, of 1123 tons, was submarined and sunk, FEARS AND HOTES. London, Feb. 4. A" financial correspondent says that financiers regard war as inevitable, and declare that the financial situation was never better. Mr. Wilson can raise any sum he likes in i! 4 hours. The Times correspondent at Washington has the highest authority for saying tli at. Mr. Wilson does not' regard the sundering if diplomatic relations us the inavitable prelude to war Washington fears war, but, though considering i-i likely, hopes it may be avoided, because the American people, thoogh they will foilow Mr. Wilson in anything,, do not want war. Furthermore, Mr. Wilson thinks the best help to the cause of Immunity can be given by remaining ontI nido. AUSTRALIAN PREOAMTION6. Received Feb. 5, 9.4/1 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. o. The Federal authorities have reenved instruction* not to issue further permits t» -raw* to vlait Britain, owing to Q>» mdmmrtim fsj/cMMbtißsx gnqpm,