THE GEBMAN-AMERICAN WAR CLOUD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 5

THE GEBMAN-AMERICAN WAR CLOUD

GUNS AND GUNNERS FOR MERCHANT SHIPS PUBLIC DEMAND FOR ACTION New York, February 23. The Foreign. 'Affairs Committee of the Houso of Representatives has decided, to report the Bill empowering the President -te provide guns and gunners for American merchantmen, and appropriating a hundred million dollars for present iiso. Tho Bill does nob specifically confer "blanket" jwwors, but tho appropriation carries ibis implication Mr. AV. J. Bryan is hurrying to Washington to oppose the giving of extensive poivers to the President. —Aits.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION . PATHETIO 'APPEAL BY ME. HOEY. London, February 2S. Sir. 'Austin Hoey (who lost his mother and sister in. the Laconia) has cabled to President AVilson, deitisndmg that tho deaths of his mother and sister shall be avenged, and requesting t,he privilege of h'eing the first volunteer for tho American A.rmy. "My offer," lio says, "is not mock heroic. lam an American business man, hut I cannot e.<q>eot other Americans to offer lives to avenge the Laconia outrago unless I do."—Ans.-N.Z. Cable- Assn. THE VOIOE OP THE PUBLIC. Now York, .February 2S. The Oliamber of Commorce has passed a resolution demanding that the Government shall immediately equip mail ships with naval guns and gun crews, assuming that the President will support any steps to protect American lives and property.—Renter. There is a groiring tendency by tho newspapers to demand SStfon by President Wilson. The "Globe," commenting on the sinking of the Laconia, 6ays: "Germany has committed an act of war. Only a miracle can now prevent armed conflict." Opinion in. Washington is thai the case of the Laconia is a clear-cut violation of America's rights. Authoritative opinion to this effect was given after a conference between President AVilson and Mr. Lansing. It is expected that the sinking of the vessel will hasten action by Congress. A member of the Cabinet saicU "This is the case of the Lusitauia over again. Aniorica will be forced to_ aot.' Some congressmen arcs of opinion that passenger, and not munition, ships should bo armed. Tho New York "Evening Post's" correspondent at Washington says: "The sinking of the Laconia is an overt act, hut probably it will not load to further steps at present than armed neutrality."—Aus'.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN INTRIGUE WITH MEXICO AND JAPAN ATTEMPT TO ENGINEER ATTACK ON AMERICA, (β-cc. March 1, 7 p.m.) Washington, February 28. 11 is announced that Germany has proposed an alliance between Mexico and Japan to make war on tho United States in the event of America not remaining neutral. —Aiis.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. (Rec. March I, 8.5 p.m.) Washington, February 553. Ib is officially announced that Germany's alliance plan was sent to Count Bernstorff on January 19, and transmitted to Mexico, with Germany's suggestion that Mexico should communicate the proposal to Japan, and asking that Mexico should endeavour to induce Japan to desert the Allies and make a separate peace with Germany. The latter promised to reward Mexico, return lost territory, and arrange for her participation, in tho Pcsico Conference. —Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LATEST DETAILS (Rec. March 1, 10.20 p.m.). Now York, February 28. The disclosures of tho Gorman plot ivith Mexico reveal tho fact that Germany proposed the alliance, while she was planning her campaign of unrestricted, submarine warfare Tho document has been, in the hands of tlie Government eince President AVilson broke off relations with Germany. Mexico's reward was to consist in tho reconquering of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, and a share in tho terms of tho victorious peace. An ordor, signed by Herr Zimmerman (the German Foreign. Minister) at Berlin on January 19, inutructed M\o German Minister at Mexico City (Herr von Erkharot) to propose the alliance to President Carranza, and suggest that Mexico should seek to Japan into the plot. These instructions were transmitted by Count Bernstorff This latest announcement of German duplicity has caused the greatest sensation and country-vide aager. It is expected that the disclosure will finally silonco the opposition to tho granting of the fullest war powers to tho President. • WHAT MAY BE A FATEFUL VOYAGE Mil. GERARD SAILS BY A SPANISH SHIP. Madrid, February 28. Mr. Gerard and a party of forty, in addition to newspaper correspondents and American refugees from Germany, have embarked. Mr. Gerard states that he is immensely pleased with his recoption in. Spain, including that by the King, the Government, and the populace Before he left Germany, many mysterious warnings wore addressed to him on the subject of his homeward voyage. He decided to ignore the warnings, though obviously they were most seriously meanE. Tho vessel by which the American Ambassador travels also carries'seventeen hundred Spanish emigrants for Cuba.—Aus.-N.Z; Cable Assn. Corunna, February 28. Mr. Gerard sailed, in the Infanta Isabel (8182 tons), although "ho was specially warned in Berlin not to embark on a Spanish ship.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Vancouver, February 28. Advices from Berlin state that the release of the Yarrowdalo prisoners recently ordered has been delayed owing to an infectious disease being discovered at tnoir residence.—Reuter. AMERICAN CONSULS DETAINED IN GERMANY (Roc. March 1, 7 p.m.) Washington, February 28. The State Department is investigating a report that three American Consuls and two clerks have been detained in Germany until Berlin is assured that the German Consuls who have been ordered from the United States and South America have been allowed to proceed. One of the latter Consuls has been detained at Havana through no fault of the United States.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUBMARINE DEBATE IN THE REICHSTAG I MEANS FOR SECURING TERRITORIAL GAINS. Amsterdam, February 28. In tbo Reichstag, Herr Spahn, leader of tho Catholics, said ho was delighted with the result of the submarining. Herr Scheidemann hoped the work of tho submarines would soon bring peace, but the nation must bo frankly told that the Govornment would not make oxtreme demands. Horr AVcstarp said it was absolutely essential that Germany demand a largo indemnity. Ho added that Courlaml and Lithuania offered facilities ror German colonisation. Herr Brieg said that Longwy was essential to Germany, owing to its iron ores and coal, and Antwerp was indispensable. It was important to hold tho whole Flemish roast for providing defensive and offensive positions against England. He added that all Germane regretted the loss of the Dutch ships. England was responsible, because she prevented their departufe at the stipulated period.—Aus.-N .Z. Cablo Assn. BERLIN OPINION ON CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. London, February 2S'. Berlin regards Herr BetbnianniHollweg'u speech as wordy, vague, and unsatisfactory.— Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Assn. THE TORPEDOED DUTCH STEAMERS Amsterdam, February 28. The. soven Dutch steamers whidi were torpedoed were insured in Holland, chiefly with German underwriters, at eighty guineas par cent. English underwriters had quoted ton guineas war risk, Falmouth to Hoilaml. but the owners declined to accept.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. J AN OFFER FROM. GERMANY. I (Rec. March I, 7 p.m.l Amsterdam, February '.'B. The Gorman Legation at the Hague, has informed the Dutch Government that Germany is willing_ lo place German ships at Holland's disposal during the war as compensation for tho seven vessels that woro torpedoed, on. the understanding that Holland will negotiate for tho eventual purchase of the tc&sols after the war.—Renter.,