AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 3 December 1914, Page 8

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AN ABSURD POSITION AFTER THE WAR.

ADMIRAL MAHAN'S DEATH

(Received Dec. 2, 12.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 2. Owing to Secretary Daniels having prohibited naval men from singing "It's a long way to Tipperary" the New York press makes merry. The World asks: "Why does anyone want to sing when a man like Daniels heads the navy? It's absurd to suggest that the song is a violation of neutrality, any more than is the Blue Danube waltz, God Save the Eing, or the hymn "Gott exhalt de Kaiser," which godly church folk sing en Sundays. The latter might be a temptation ?o those not neutrally inclined, and naval chaplains might therefore have it stopped." Professor McLellan, an ex-Mayor of New York, and Professor of Economics and History at Princeton University, predicts that no matter "who wins the European war the United States is sure to be confronted with the ' abandonment of Monroeism, or else the necessity of fighting to maintain it. He urges that America should wake up and place herself in a ready state for defence. WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. . Ambassador Vandyke visited Mr Bryan and pointed out Holland's desire for an early end to the-war. He contended that it was possible for any country to make overtures for peace at present, and denied that he bad been authorised by Kaiser Wilhelm to suggest mediation by the United States and Holland. Admiral Mahan had greatly overtaxed his strength in studying the Avar and writing papers. His death was due to heart failure. The funeral was of the simplest unniilitary character.