UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1917, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA.

READJUSTMENT OF EXCHANGE NEEDED.

X <York, Aug. 5. The \i'\v York Times reports that .Mr. Stanley Hose. of tlte Government I'.iMvau of N'cw York, makes most favorable eoiimient on the large foreign trade iviiii'ii .\ii~ualiii enjoyed in ItH 13. despite the severest war strain. He predicts a further increase in 131". basing the statement on the crop reports from the America!! I"■ .n- n!-1 it-iienil in Syd lie v. Mr. Rose stales that the United States rccrntlv has heen most niteresied in Australian trade possibilities, especially in \ ii-w nt Ja; an's increased trade with Australia.

The .Yew York Times says the suggested appointment of an Australian Commit-inner has been received favorably ir New York expoi'tinf; circles, which favor stationing the coinnn-sioner in Xew York instead ■■•f in Washington, in onier to facilitate the handling of coiisiiiiii:ents for Australian. Tasinanian, alia New Zealand importm. The /('adjustment of the monetary exeliaiiLV is one of the most important problem- handicapping trade at present. The Australian system of exchange has added ii tu 5 ]icr cent, to the co-t of Anieiicaii goods over British imports to Australia.

The question of improved shipping facilities also requires consideration. ORIGIN OF THE WAR. IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES. THE KAISER IX HIS TRUE LIGHT. New York. Aug. 5. The "Philadelphia Public Ledger has published the first instalment of Mr. -las. \Y. Gerard'.-) hook. It contains an autographed facsimile of the Kaiser's cable t" President Wilson on in which is Wiiheim's version of the origin of the war. It is the first time the cable has been published.

The Kaiser admits the violation of Belgian neutrality as a strategical necessity. he having received news that France was already preparing to enter Belgium, and the Belgian King having refused his petition for a free passage Uiroush liel'jiinn under guarantee of Belgium's frec'lom.

The valile also states that King George received Prince Henry and empowered him to inform the Kaiser thit. England would remain neutral in ease of a war between France and Russia on tho one hand and Germany and Austria on the other. The German AiJm==ador in London cabled thut Sir E. Grey stated that England would not interfere unless France was bring crus'inl. He also cabled on .Tnlv lit) that Sir F. Grey stated that if the war was conl'mcd to Russia and Austria England would not move, but if Germany entered into the war England would take grave measures. Tin- Kaiser telegraphed the sam<> day begginir King George personally to use ail his power to prevent preparation in I'nsnin and Frunce disturbing tne Kaiser's mediation, as lie was in constant eommimitation with the Czar.

King George replied that he had used eveiv possible irftluence to withhold France and Russia.

The Kaiser was anxiously preparing a N'ole informing the ('■/.:\r that Vienna. Herlin and London had agreed to the I'rit : .sii proposal that Austria should take Belgrade and a few other Serbian towns and a strip of Serbia, as .* guarantee that Serbia would carry out her written promise,--.

When informed that the Czar had ordered the mobilisation of his r .vliok' army, whieh course meant a threat against <.'ermanv as well as Austria, the Kaiser telegraphed to King George that if he would guarantee with armed forces the neutrality of France, Germany would not attack France.

King George replied that he thought the olfir wai based 011 a i'l.-,'-'I he Kaiser adds: "So far as I can make. on!, Sir 10. Grey never took mv offer ser;ouslv. and instead declari.Nl that Ktigland must defend Belgian neutr 1ity."

MR. GERARD'S BOOK,

1 Ks'KXT WITHOUT FOUNDATION. Received Aug. 7. 1.15 a.m. London, Aug. 6. With reference to the Kaiser's telegram to President Wilson, as quoted in -Mr. Gerard's book, there is the highest, authority for declaring absolutely foundaiionless the statement alleged'to have been made by the King to Prince Henry of Prussia that England would remain neutral. SHIPS COMMANDEERED. Washington, Aug. 6. The Shipping Board has decided to commandeer all ships being constructed 11 ml hasten their completion, and to take over ,0') vessels of a tonnage of 1? million tons, 01 which one million represents livit ish orders. The Government will also control American-owned ships 011 the high se-as.