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Press, Volume LII, Issue 15478, 4 January 1916, Page 6

"Wo publish in another column si letter from a thoughtful American showing tho feeling of intense shame and indignation which tho better class American citizens are feeling in regard to the weakness exhibited by the United States Government in reference to the Gorman atrocities. Tho extract from an American journal which our correspondent encloses is most apt, in view of the ruthless torpedoing of tho Persia, resulting in the murder of more. American citizens, including an American Consul. Whether even this will prove tho "compelling incident" such as tho "Post-Express" anticipates remains to be seen.

Tho point in our correspondent's letter to which we desire to draw cspecial attention, however, refers not to the United States but to ourselves. The writer, a clear-headed American, in a position to take a detached and impartial view of tho war, but obviously friendly to Groat Britain, is amazed to learn that Canada has sent only 2, per cent, of her population to tho war, Australia only 3 per cent., and New Zealand only 3J per cent. It seems to him that "such a weak showing is disgraceful." Tho colonies, ho urges, cannot be awake to their peril. Tho Germans, he says, arc winning at every point, because they are throwing their whole force into tho fight. In his opinion, tho colonies havo got to put a full 10 per cent, into the fighting ranks or the Allied cause -will be lost.

It is easy to belittle this warning and ask what can an American know about it anyway P The Americans hear both sides, and aro in the position of the lookers-on, who proverbially see the most of the game. AVo cannot lose sight of the fact that Bulgaria waß convinced tho Central Power s wero going to win, or she would never have dared to declare in their favour. It is certain also that Greece and Roumania are afraid to lift up. a finger against Germany and Austria, .although it is to their interest to do so. What the Balkan States do not understand, and what oiir American friend, wo fancy, has not fully grasped, is the power of the British Navy, and tho .effect of economic pressure in bringing victory to tho Allies. Nevertheless, our correspondent is absolutely right in his conjecture that tho people of the Dominions do not yet grasp the full extent of the peril confronting the Empire, or the necessity of beating Germany down into the dust i£ wo are not to bo confronted with a still more dreadful war,in tho future. If the people of New Zealand realised it as they ought to do they would not be content to scrape together meagre reinforcements in driblets, as they are now doing, but they would insist on Parliament being called together to round up the laggards in some effective manner.

By s ome Americans who, being afraid to tacklo Germany, indulge in tho much safer game of worrying Great Britain about interference with neutral trade, it has been said that tho English. blockade of Germany is not "effective," and therefore England has no right to stop neutral vessels to search for contraband. The best answer to this which we have seen is contained in tho following letter to the Editor of the "New York Tribune," which appeared in that journal on November lOtfc; — AN EFFECTIVE BLOCKADE. (To tho Editor of "Tbo Tribune.") Sir, —Not an. effective blockade! And on tho thie is declared Ambassador Gerard writes from Berlin to ask that England raiee hor blockade sufficiently to let through a pair of shoes for tho uni base ado rial feet. JOHN KNUCKLES. New York, Nov. 8, 1915. As an example of the art of putting an effective point in a -succinct shaoe, in which our American cousins excel this could hardly be beaten.

Some of tho Dutch newspapers have been ( complaining of tho pro-German character which the Dutch Government gives to its neutrality. The German Zeppelins, in violation of Dutch neutrality, fly over Holland on their way to kill English women and children. Not only does tho Dutch Government allow this; it prevents the despatch of telegrams from Holland reporting the passage of Zeppelins. Tho military commanders in the northern Dutch islands have prohibited tho publication in their territor- within six hours of tho news of tho passing of German airships, and the telegraphing of such news to any other part of Holland. This is very arbitrary, from the point of view of the Dutch people themselves, who ar e entitled to get such news. The prohibition is apparently prompted by a / desiro on the part of the Dutch authorities to do nothing that may prejudice Germany's air-raid arrangements. It is no wonder that some of the Dutch journals arc saying that whatever the Dutch Government may intend "its policy appears to inclinc to tho German side.

Miss M. E. Durham, in a letter to the London "Nation," writes indignantly «bout tho extravagance revealed by the advertisements of British cos-tume-makers. In ono column of one paper she learnt that twenty shillings would feed twentv Polish refugees for a week. In another column she read that Messrs X. could supply her with a "paletot of great charm and elegance" for "the very reasonable price of fifty-five guineas." Most people's reflections upon that poignant contrast will probably be much the same as Miss Durham's. The subject was mentioned a few davs later in the House of Commons, when Captain Bathurst asked tho Prime Minister "whether, in view of the serious state of the nation's finances and of the thoughtless extravagance and unnecessary luxuries still indulged in by many persons to the an-

noyanco of their neighbours, ho would consider the advisability of passing forthwith, through Parliament drastic sumptuary laws which would ensuro the strictest domestic economy, and put all classes upon a footing during the war of greater equality in their mode of living." Mr Asquith renlied that tho matter engages tho continuous attention of the Government, and ho would bo glad to consider anv suggestions on the subject. Tho problem is one. however, which cannot be solved excepting by the growth of a good spirit amongst the public.