American Preparations.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 348, 6 February 1917, Page 5

American Preparations.

War Departments Busy.

Man Strength of the States. ► - No Break Yet With Austria. [PEEBS ASSOCIATION COPTBIGHT.] f[ AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received 6, g. 40 a.m.) New York, February 5. President Wilson was in consultation with the Secretaries for War and the Navy to-day concerning preparedness measures. The President cancelled invitations for an Army and Navy reception at the White House to-morrow night, because of the rush of work. There is the greatest activity in naval patrol circles. The fortresses on the Hampton Roads have been manned with additional artillerymen. The Defence Council reports that there are 4,778,600 fit. unmarried men available for military service. There is a total of 21,000.000 men between the ages of 18 and 45, whereof industries could spare 10,500,000. There are many evidences of preparation for the possibility of war. Mr. Daniels (Naval Secretary) will ask Congress for authority to commandeer private ammunition equipment plants. The Senate approved bills to facilitate dealing with spies. The publication of naval orders has been terminated. NO CHANCE IN THE SITUATION. Washington, February 5. There is no change in the situation, which has been cleared by the removal of the Housatonic as an issue. The Housatonic was sunk in the Channel flying the American flag. The American colours were prominent on her sides. The submarine gave the crew an hour to leave the ship. The Germans before sinking searched the Housatonic and carried off a quantity of soap. The situation was*unchanged at midnight. It is believed unlikely, in the event of war, that the United States will enter as the ally of Great Britain and France, or send an army to Europe. It is probable that the first step will be the establishment of a line of speedy cruising vessels a hundred miles out from Halifax to a point east of Porto Rico. AN OVERT ACT. AMERICAN SAILOR MURDERED. (Press Association —Extraordinary.) (Received 6. 12.50 p.m.) London, February 5.A submarine shelled the boats of the steamer Evestone, killing an American sailor. ATTITUDE OF HYPHENATES. LOYALTY TO THE STATES New York. February 5. The outstanding feature of Sunday was the quietness of the Nefr York crowds, and the absence of demonstrations and flag waving. There was little to indicate such a serious crisis. The Sunday newspapers were eagerly read, but there was no excitement, and no disorders. There is much interest in the attitude of the leading GermanAmericans. The heads of German clubs and financiers, interviewed, show a general wish and belief that war may be averted. Some even hope that the diplomatic break may serve co induce Germany to modify her programme. The majority declare that they are Americans first, and will TsTipport President Wilson in whatever he decides. The Staats Zeitung ” says:—“ The die is cast. The President has spoken for all the country and people. While they may regret the trend of events, it is now the duty of every American, to stand squarely behind the President. There must not be any division of sentiment or opinion. There can be only one loyalty, namely, to America.” Five hundred representatives of Austro-German societies, with a membership of 100,000, petitioned President Wilson, pledging their loyalty to the United States, and praying him to make every effort to avert war. SAFE CONDUCT ASKED FOR BERNBTORFF. [beuteb] Washington. February 5. Steps are being taken to guard all German consulates. Orders have been issued to American ships in American Argentine and Indian ports to remain. Ihe State Department is asking Great Britain for a safe conduct for Count Bernstorff. SAFEGUARDING INTERNED ENEMY SHIPS. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION] New Y’ork, February 5. The Government is taking possession of all German ships at Hoboken, where 17 are tied up. It is reported that the crews have put the machinery out of action. There are 33 German vessels interned at the Philippines, mostly at Manila. The crews attempted to destroy them, but the authorities took immediate action to checkmate them. Honolulu reports that the interned German gunboat Geier is burning. The crew fired her. London, February 5. British shipping circles anticipate that 200 German ships, valued at which took refuge in the United States, wjll be placed in commission and used as cargo boats to Allied ports. There are 31 in New York alone, of a value of £28,000,000. If the South American republics act similarly, about one-third of Germany’s mercantile marine will be released. RELATIONS WITH AUSTRIA HANGING BY A SLENDER THREAD. [beuteb] (Received 6, 11 a.m.) London, February 5. The report from Paris that America had broken with AustriaHungary appears to be premature. The latest Washington advices state that diplomatic relations with Austria hang by a slender thread. (Received 6, 9.40 a.m.) New York, February 5. It is reported that negotiations are proceeding between America and Austria to induce Austria not to endorse Germany’s submarine position, thus not compelling the breaking of relations, and also influencing Germany to reconsider her decision. RAIDER’S PRISONERS RELEASED. Berlin. February 5. The German raider’s American prisoners have been released. (Received 6, 10.40 a.m.) London, February 5. j In Response to President Wilson’s demands. Germany has &cided to release the Americans captured by the raider. JOYFUL DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRANCE. REJOICINGS IN JAPAN. < (Received 6, 10.35 a.m.) Pans, February 5. President Wilson’s announcement of the rupture caused an outburst of enthusiasm throughout France. Great demonstrations took place at the Toulouse Theatre. The audience, standing, joined in the “ Marseillaise.” The American flag was hoisted on Chambers of Commerce and private buildings in Marseilles and other towns.

The newspapers echo the popular enthusiasm. Tokio, February 5The United States decision caused widespread rejoicing in Japan. AMERICA HELPLESS FOR SIX MONTHS. London, February 5. Military experts point out that it will be impossible for the United States to exercise her colossal strength for six months, during which time the submarine campaign will either be won or lost. Therefore, our victory depends solely on our efforts THE BLOCKADE AREA RINGED WITH MINES AND SUBMARINES. New York, February 5. The “ New York Tribune’s ” special correspondent, who has returned from a month’s visit to Germany, says that in placing the new campaign Germany is determined to draw more than a-submarine ring round the coasts of England. The submarines .will be equipped for laying mines. Hundreds and thousands of these have been made and stored for a second line of blockade. Submarine supply stations are anchored in convenient secret rocky wastes guarded by high explosive mines. As a device to evade capture, they have set adrift countless dummy periscopes with powerful mines attached. One German officer boasted that the super-submarine with collapsible masts and stowable superstructure, disguised as a surface ship, was sent out to take up the work of the Emden. BELGIAN RELIEF CUT OFF. New York, February 5. Mr. Hoosier says that Belgian relief transportation will be temporarily suspended. There are 15 relief commission ships in or near the war zone. If the service is long paralysed, the situation of ten millions in Belgium will be awful to contemplate. He will ask Germany through the Spanish Ambassador to open a lane of safety for the supply ships. Germany has informed the Belgian relief commission that she will no longer respect their ships until they take a course for Holland north of the new German war zone. Mr. Hoosier states that the combined British and German minefields completely cut off the approaches to the route mentioned. SPAIN WILL DO RELIEF WORK. [AUSTBALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received 6, 10.35 a.m.) Paris, February 5. Mr. Harp, the American .Ambassador, states that it has been arranged for the Spanish Government to take over the provisioning of the people in invaded Belgium when America has discontinued the work. THE LATEST VICTIMS. London, February 5. The Spanish steamers Bucon (2434), Noviembre (2300), and the Greek Helicon (1166), together with several smaller vessels, were sunk. The Norwegian Yoner and the British Isle of Arran were sunk.