SMALLER NEUTRALS FEAR TO FOLLOW AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2999, 9 February 1917, Page 5

SMALLER NEUTRALS FEAR TO FOLLOW AMERICA

SUPER-FRIGHTFUL BUCCANEERS BUSY BIG SENATE VOTE FOR PRESIDENT'S POLICY , 1 By Telegraph-Prfcss Asßooiatlon-Coiiiyright London, February 7. Germany,'s period of grace expired to-night. _ The present position is tliat Switzerland has negatived President "Wilson's proposal that neutrals should break off relations with Germany, and Holland,' probably, will not como up to Mr. Wilson's expectations. Spain lias replied, and in the meantime her Government refuses to suspend shipping. Scandinavia is negotiating mutually, Brazil has sent a strong Note lo Germany, and Chile and Argentina stand firmly by Brazil. A message from Borne states that Switzerland's reply to President Wilson remarks "that her geographical position preveuls her examining tlio problem in the samo light ns America. _ , According to a dispatch from Coi> enha^en, tlio Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian Governments received President Wilson's Noto yesterday, and are negotiating a joint reply. It is understood that Denmark's reply states that the positions of Denmark and the United States aro so different tjiat comparisons aro impossible; also, that three Scandinavian Governments aro discussing their attitude regarding tho German blockade. It is probable, that tho replies of Sweden and Norway will be identical. Brazil's protest against the subniarino policy (states a message from Bio do Janoiro) has been sent to Berlin. Tho Bolivian Minister says that Bolivia will also protest. ' It is considered unlikely (states a San Diego message) that Argentina and Chile -will co-operate with the United States.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SWEDEN AND HOLLAND DEFINITELY DECLINE "

Rcc. Feb'riiary 8, 11.50 p.m.) Copenhagen, February 7. 'An official dispatch from Stockhojm states that the Swedish Foreign Minfeler has informed tho American Minister that Sweden cannot respond to President .Wilson's 'invitation.—Atis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Amstordam, February 7. The Dutch Foreign Minister has informed the American Minister that Holland had no grounds for imitating President , Cable Assn.. * JOINT PROTEST FROM SCANDINAVIA. (Rcc. February S, 10.50 p.m.). ' ■ . / . Stockholm, .February 7. ■ The Scandinavian Governments ha ve decided to send a, joint protest to Germany—Router. ' REPORTED ACTION BY THE POPE Romq, Fehruary 7. lb is reported that the Pope is .pressing Germany to abandon indiscriminate submarining?, which are. opposed to the laws of humanity .. Cable Assn- i ' HUNGER AND SUFFERING IN NEUTRAL COUNTRIES SPAIN'S ECONOMIC, NOTION GRAVE. Madrid, February 7. . Spain's economic position is becoming increasingly crave. Barcelona and Valencia are threatened with ruin. The Canary Islands are reported to bo verging op. starvation. Thero is much unemployment iu Spain, and outbreaks are feared. The Germanophile and German-owned Press is exploits ing the situation, and attempting to coorce tho Government to support Germany.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ACUTE DISTRESS IN HOLLAND. Amstordam, February 7. Tho sufferings of the poorer people aro becoming.much more a<;ute. 'l'he sevority of tlio weather aggravates their misery. Disturbances occurred at Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The gravest anxiety exists, and there are widespread protests that the Government li as noli suppressed food smuggling to Germany. Tho frontier guards are charged with complicity. Thero are rumours that Germany hopes to import increased quantities of food in return for manufactures, and depends on public alarm.—Ans.-N.Z. Cablp Assn. "JOB'S COMFORT" FOR NEUTRALS j London, February 7'A eemi-oflicial message from Berlin states that Germany's enemies are trying tq spread the belief that_the Germans' concession to Holland is a sign' «f weakness. Dr. Ilelfferich (Minister for the Interior) now statos that >' tlio object of tho submarine war is to shorten the war. It must bs remembered that any additional suffering by neutrals will bo small compared to tho sufferings England lias caused thom. There is no question.of Germany retracing her steps-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

PRESIDENT BACKED BY THE SENATE

OVERWHELMING VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Washington, February 7. The Senate, by 78 votes to 5, hn s endorsed President Wilson's break with. Germany. . . Now York, February 7. Senator Sfcon© moved tbs resolution in tho iScnate endorsing President Wilson's action 1

Senator Lodge strongly supported it, declaring that during a crisis party lines should not, exisl. lie approved President Wilson's refusal to placp au embargo un anus aud munitions, and added: "In severing relations with Germany President. Wilson followed tho course of honour and safoty lor tho future security of the 'United Stales." Senator Sherman said 'that any other course by President Wilson would have been cowardice.' Germany's Noto means a. return to tho Stone Age, and tho wholesale destruction ol wonioa and children. America must condemn sncli barbarous methods. Senator Smith said the .Republicans approved of the President's action, but hoped the country would bo spared tho horrors of war. Senators Vardaman and Works did not approve of President: Wilson's course. Vardaman, who is a pacificist, added: "But if war conies wn will voto the President the last man and the last farthing." Ml!. GERARD DETAINED IN BERLIN. j London, February 7. Tlio "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Copenhagen reports that it is officially stated that Mi'. Gerard will not be allowed to leavo Berlin until Germany is satisfied With tho treatment to bo extended to Count Bcrnstorff. Copenhagen, February 7. Mr. Gerard has advisetiAmerican journalists that ho will leavo Germany as soon as possible.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FURTIVE MACHINERY WRECKERS (Rec. February 8, 6.50 p.m.) New York, February 7. It' is officially reported that thirty of tlio German interned vessels havo geen so disabled that their repairs will occupy six months. _ • Of <5500 men composing thc crews, four thousand have disappeared" during ' tho past few days.'—licuter. • OFFICIAL HINT TO NEUTRAL MERCHANTMEN. (Bee. Fohruary 8, 10.50 p.m.) New York, February 7. Mr. Lansing (Secretary of State) has adyised the American Steamship. Line that if uculral merchantmen believe that they are likoly io ho unlawfully att clced, they may lake any necessary measures to prevent and rpsisfc such attack.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • , CARRANZA AND THE KAISER. .. (Rec, February 8, 10.50 p.m.) Vancouver, February 7. Carranza denies that he sent congratulations to tho Kaiser on liis submarine warfare.—Renter..

ANCHOR LINER CALIFORNIA GONE

160 SURVIVORS OUT OF 215 . . Now York, February 7. Mr. Lansing (United States Secretary of State) lias received a dispatch from the United States Consul at Queoustown stating that tho, British liner California, bound from New York for Glasgow, has" been submarined. Ono lifo was lost, and there are two hundred hospital cases. Another message' states that the California sailed on 'January 29. Thero are 160 survivors out of 215 on board, including thirty passengers, but no Americans.—Reutcr. v ' Vancouver, February 7. The California was the crack liner of the Anchor fleet, and l was armed with' ii gun at tho stern. She carried a full- cargo, mostly of munitions. Twelve of her pasengors were Canadiaus. SERIOUS SHIPPING LOSSES TO BE EXPECTED London) February 7. ( Tuesday's sinkings totalled 37,000 tons. The "Times" warns the nation to ospept .continued serious shipping losses. Everybody must rigidly adhere to the scale of rations. European neijtrals aro unlikely to rupturo diplomatic relations. Their peoples are depressed generally, and favour a continued neutrality.—-The "Times." V THE NEW INSURANCE RATES FOR NEUTRALS. Uonclon, February 7. The now scheme of war insurance-for neutral vessels begins torday.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE AMERICANS ON THE CAPTURED YARROWDALE. Amsterdam, Fobruary 7. Tho "Vossischo Zeitung" states that seventy-two American prisoners who wero aboard the- Yarrowdalo are being released. They declare that they were not awaro when they joined tlio vessel that armed merchantmen were regarded by Germany as warships.—ltou ter. (Ren. Fobruary 8, 10.5 p.m.) . OTHER VICTIMS. London, February 7, The British steamer Saxon Briton, 13,316 tons, has bee.h sunk.", Two. of tho crew were killed. The. Azul, y074 tons, is believed to have been sunk.. There arc said to be twelve survivors aboard a sniler.v-Aus.-N.Z. Cable A.-.iii. (Rec. February 8, 11.50 p.m.) London, February 7. Seventeen members of tho crew of: tho Ninialr and the Pride of Newcastle are missing. These vessels wero sunk to-day. One of the survivors died after Cable Assn.

PIRATE HOISTS THE FRENCH FLAG

(Rec. February 8, 5.20 p.m.) London, February 7. ■ The 'Admiralty reports that the Port 'Adelaide (ar Indrspura.) was carrying passengers from London to Australia. $lie was torpedoed without yarning on Saturday. The passebgers we re landed at Vigo. The Peruvian barque Lorton (1419 tons), which sailed from London, was torpedoed on Monday in Spanish territorial waters. The Admiralty comments: "These incidents emphasise the withdrawal of Germany's pledge to the United State s that she would not sink a, passenger ship without warning. "We claim consideration for neutrals." (Rec. February 8, G. 50 p.m.) Madrid, February 7. Details of the sinking of the Pernvian steel barque Lorton state that a. submarine flying the French flag appeared, and notwithstanding tho protests of those on board, sank the ship and then hoisted tho Gorman flag. The Lorton's crow included a. German officer and several Gorman sailors, and when the submarine sighted the vessel the Gormans cut the rigging 2nd sails to prevent the ship from reaching Spanish waters. The Lorton's crew was saved by a hoat from the harbour. Tho Peruvian Consul has lodged a pro-tost.—Aus.-N.Z-. Cable Assn. / THE MURDER OF THE BELGIAN RELIEF SHIP'S CREW (Rec. February 8, 11.50 p.m.) fcondon, February 7: The Belgian relief steamer Larskntfio was going to Rotterdam, and should have coiuo to Falmouth in tho beginning of February to obtain special flags for protecting steamers of the Relief Commission. As tho Larskrus® was on the high seas her owners were unable to inform tlio ship of tho new German measures, and sjio was torpedoed. Thcro was only one survivor.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo ( Assn.

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF SUPER-FRIGHTFULNESS

(Rec. February S, 6.50 p.m.) ill 11 , j it i ~ l-ontlpn, February 7. , Altogether, twenty-three vessels aggregating 54,700 tons, have' been reported sunk in the last twenty-four hours, Qf these thirteen were British— including the Port Adelaide, Crown Point (5218 tons), and Vostra (1021 tons). Our losses during Jsbniary have thus far totalled fifty-four vessels, as comSi " Uai ' y ' v "Serogated 255,648 tonsAtK.-N.Z. Cable ENTIRE GERMAN SUBMARINE FLEET, OUT. ' (Rec. February 8, 6.50 p.m.) M. Marcel Ilutin stales that the entire German. Buhnlrine^fleethhrd at work. A number of ships have been sunk off the French coast—AusN.Z. Cablo Assn, AMERICAN LINE BOOKINGS SUSPENDED. (Rec. February 8, 0.50 p.m.) . . , .. New York, February 7. _ J?ho American lines of steamers have discontinued their passenger boolt-lUgs.-^-Router. BRITISH TRADE IN JANUARY (Reo. February 8, 10.10 p.m.) „ ... , L J • I • , , London, February 7. 3& R L 0 „ xpor i? dunng Ja I rmar 7 iiorcased by £10,103,000, and imports by £15,629,000. Re-exports decreased by £338,257, as compared with ths pro, vioub *