UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1917, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

PRESIDENT'S STIRRING ORATION.

A SCATHING INDICTMENT.

OF GERMAN INSULTS AND AGGRESSION.

Washington, June 14. President Wilson, in a speech at the Flog Day ceremony, said:— "We are about to bid thousands, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of our men die beneath the flag. The insults and aggressions of the German Government left ns no choice. Germany's military masters denied us the rights of a neutral, filled our communities with vicious spies, attempted to draw our citizens from their allegiance tp the Government of the United States, sought violently to destroy our industries, tried to incite Mexico and Japan against us, impudently denied ns the use of the high seas and repeatedly executed threats to send to death any of our people approaching the coasts of Europe.

IN THE GRIP OP A SIMILAR POWER. We are not enemies of' the German people. They did not originate this hideous war, and we did not wish to be drawn in. We are vaguely conscious that we are fighting their cause as well A3 our own. They are in the grip of the saifte sinister power that has stretched its ugly talons and drawn blood from ns. The whole world is at war 'because it is In the grip of that power. The war was begun y Germany's military masters who are also masters of Austria lungary. They do not regard the nations, as peoples of the same blood as themselves for whom the governments exist, but regard the governments merely as serviceable organisations which they can corrupt to their own purpose. GERMANY'S PURPOSE. Germany's purpose had long been avowed, but was considered by the statesmen of other nations as the incredible dream of minds detached from practical affairs. Rut Germany's rulers went forward filling the throneß of the Balkans States with German princes, putting German officers in the service of Turkey, developing plans of sedition in India and Egypt and setting firec alight in Persia. Austria's demands on Serbia were a step in the plan to throw the belt of German military .power and political control aoross the'centre of Europe into the heart of Asia. Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the ponderous, States of the East were to become Germany's pawns. Austria was to become part of the German Empire. The plan contemplated binding races, which could he kept together only by force, such as the proud States of Bohemia and 'Hungary, the stout little commonwealths of the Balkans, the indomitable Turks and the subtle peoples of the East, who ardently desired undisputed independence and could be kept quiet only by the constant threat of armed men. and then would await the day of revolution. GERMANY CONTROLS CENTRAL POWERS. The Germans have actually carried the greater part of the amazing plan into Austria is at their mercy, its people desire peace, but it is impossible that leave be granted by Berlin. The socalled Central Powers are but a single power talcing orders from Berlin, whose net is spread from Hamburg to the Persian Gulf." WHY GERMANY WISHES PEACE. Continuing his speech, President Wilson said it was easy to understand Berlin's eagerness for peace. Since the snare had been set there had been peace talk at the German Foreign Office for over a year, but little had been made public, most of it being private. It has come to me from all sorts of channels, and in all sorts of guises, but never with the terms disclosed. Germany cannot go forward and dare not go back. She wishes to close the bargain before it is too late. Germany's miijtary masters see clearly what fate will bring them. If they fall hack or are forced back an inch their power at home and abroatl will fall like a house of cards. FIGHTING FOR HOME POWER. "It is their power at home they are thinking of more than their power abroad. It is that power that is now trembling beneath their feet, and a fear has entered their hearts. They have one chance to perpetrate their military power and poltical influence. If they can obtain peace now with the advantages they have apparently gained they will be justified before the German people, and their prestige will he secure. But if they fail their people will thrust them aside, holding the Government accountable. The people will set up a democracy in Germany, as now in all great countries except Germany. If they succeed they are safe, and Germany and the world are | undone, but if they fail Germany is 'saved and the world will be at peace. '; T '■ OF THEIR SUCCESS. ... "If they succeed we and the rest of the world must remain armed, ready for the next st'qp ( '.in their aggression, but if they tail the ( >yorld may, unite for peace and Q,crmai|y r ,may he of ,lhe union. THE WORLD AT STAKE. "The great fact that stands above the rest is that it is the people's war for freedom, justice and self-government among the' world's nations, to make the world safe for the people who live on it and have made it their own, the German people themselves included. "We have made our choice, and woe to ta* gwai who seek to stand in our way." SPARING NO EXPENSE. TO HELP ALLIES' CAUSE. Washington, June 14. The Senate has finally passed the Urgent Deficiency Bill. It appropriates 3281 million dollars for naval and military use. It is officially announced that the aircraft programme has been much enlarged and definite plans have been made for the air supremacy of the Allies. The Federal Trade Commission recommends Government control of news printing paper. Investigations have revealed M£OM wofltf.