A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1917, Page 5

A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

TO SOOTHE GERMANY. AS TO MEANING OF AMERICAN PRESIDENT'S ATTITUDE, Received Feb. 7, 11.35 p.m. London, Feb. (1. A Press Bureau wireless message states that Mr.-George Uarthelme, 111* Washington correspondent ol' the Cologne Gazette, claims a request from high sources to convey to the German people and (iovernment the assurance that President Wilson's attitude docs not indicate any warlike desire on the p:irt of America. He quotes 'President Wilson's relerence to any overt act, and the possibility of a further appeal to Congress, and says that it has been widely construed, firstly as an expression of confidence that some way out will he found; secondly, that it does not contain any threat of war. It is generally opined that the President could nn'y sever relations so as to make good his former Note. It was now up to Germany to provide the opening. A firsl essential was to maintain friendly relations, to refrain from the destruction of American ships, and to emphasise that no unrestricted submarining is contemplated, only a blockade within the narrowest limits compatible with the necessary aims. The greatest care necessary must be taken in order not to in? terfere v.'ilh innocent American commerce. Every precaution must be made to limit the destruction of neutral ships to those carrying contraband, and of enemy vessels to the ships and cargo, safeguarding, wherever possible, tha lives of the passengers and crews. Tn accordance with the recent practice, they should, then propose a joint commission, with a view to negotiating u code governing the blockade and submarine warfare. Naturally, such an offer nuist involve delay, and it would specially mark the ancient friendship between both 'countries. They could then consider the prospect of calling a conference of the Powers, the possibilities which bad been closed bv hasty actioiy. Only in very small circles was America clamoring for hostilities. A huge majority, consisting of men of the highest, standing, noblest character, and loftiest ideals and thorough goodwill, were praying for peace with honor. The country' was anxiously awaiting one more goo? word.

ADMIRALTY WAKXS XEU'IRALS. Received Feb. 7, 8.50 p.m. London, Fob. 0. The Admiralty has informed Holland and Spain that ships journeying to, England will be allowed to reau'a British ports, but must ndt leave. HUXGER DEMOP.ALIS ATION IN HOLLAND, Received Feb. 7, 8.50 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 7. thousanada held a demonstration here on Monday, declaring tlio.v were hungry. The police dispersed them. HOLLWEG TO MAKE A STATEMENT. A & X.Z. Cable Association and. Renter. Received Feb. 7, 10.15 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 0. The Reichstag meets on Feb. 22. Hcrr von Bethmann-Hollweg, the German Chancellor, will make a declaration regarding the submarine policy. AMERICAN VESSEL THREATENED. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. Received Feb. 7, 8.50 p.m. London, Feb. C. The Admiralty report states that the captain of the American steamer Westwegc reports that on January 31 a submarine fired five shots at l,ior when she was west of Fnstnet. The shots were ineffective. The submarine demanded oil, and threatened to sink the 'Wcstwego if the demand was refused. RECENT SINKINGS Times Service. 1 Received Feb. 7, 10.13 p.m. London, Feb, 6. The latest sinkings include the British ships Mnrtenfels and Lloridan. Sh'teon were saved from the Norwegian ship Tamara. A Dutch steamer disembarked at Vigo 107 of the crews and passengers of recent sinkings oil' the Brazilian coast, including SO of the crew and 7 passengers of the Port Adelaide. The steamer Tort Adelaide was sunk and the' captain was taken prisoner. A Dutch steamer rescued the crew and passengers. The British sailing vessel Belford was also sunk. The steamer Hurst wood (1220 tons) has been sunk by an explosion, which killed five men. The Danish steamer Laskruse, carrying 2335 tons of maize from Buenos Ayros for the Belgian Relief Committee, is reported to have been sunk. At present eight relief ships are 'en route and thirty in ports. THE PORT ADELAIDE'S C-AIPTAIN. Received Feb. 8, 12.45 a.m. London, Feb. 7, The Port Adelaide's captain, W. H. Lea, who has been taken prisoner, is well known in the Australasian trade. He formerly commanded the Tndrabarah. Further sinkings reported include the steam trawler Resolute, the steamer Warlv Pickering f4-1 !>0 tons), the Russian Cercra (So 12 tons), and the Norwegian Regal ("802 tons). INSURANCE RATES FOR NEUTRALS. Times Service. Received Feb. 7. 10.15 p.m. London, Feb. 6. The underwriters are initiating a new insurance scheme for neutral cargoes far below the previous rates. For foodstuffs, munitions, and coal there is no brokerage and no commission. For other materials the rates are 50s to French Atlantic ports and 70s to the Mediterranean. MR. GERARD'S DEPARTURE. A. & X T .Z. Cable Association and Renter. Received Feb. 7, 10.15 p.m. The Hague, Felt. 0. Mr. Gerard, the late American Ambassador at Berlin, visited the Dutch Minister and handed over to him the protection of British interests and prisoners. He also visited the Spanish Ambassador, who takes over the protection of other foreigners formerly under America's protwiinn,