UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1917, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

NEARING WAR.' AMERICAN NAVY UNREADY. FEW SUBMARINE CHASERSi New York, March 20. The naval authorities advise that it might be strategically unsound for America to declare war on Germany until adequate measures have been taken to protect American coastal shipping, which would not he exposed if Germany sent submarines to America, as is considered most probable in the event of war. There might also be serious destruction of Entente merchantmen on this side of the Atlantic unless America has sufficient submarine ehasera.

The shipbuilders cannot begin to deliver chasers until after sixty days, and one every throe days afterwards. Washington, March 20. President Wilson has rejected Carranza's suggestion to place an embargo on war shipments to the Allies, but has reiterated his suggestion for tho)co-opera-tion of neutrals aa a means of ending the war.

Mr Wilson has called attention to the German-Mexican-Japanesc plot as a factor in America's breach of relations with' Germany. Officials believe- this is done to give Camfnza a chance to express want of sympathy with the plot, which hitherto he has not done.

. Mr Wilson will not declare war on Germany as the result of the sinking of three American freighters, but only if a liner is sunk.

Washington, March 20. After a conference with President Wil*nn, Mr Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, ''■•"itlcd on the immediate construction of ir.i submarine chasers by the naval yards, also 200 to be constructed -vivat'cly. The Government is hastci ■■; the graduation of classes at v the Naval Academy, and raising- the personnel of the navy by COOO to 80,000 men. The general official view is that a state of war now exists between the United States and Germany. There is a widespread movement amongst Congressmen, urging Mr Wilson to call Congress together immediately. Meanwhile every preparation is proceeding at top speed.

MEMBERS OF CABINET PLEDGED TO SECBECY. Received Washington, March 20. The American Cabinet regards the German situation as unchanged. No additional orders have been issued for further war preparations. Members of the Cabinet are pledged to utter secrecy.