AMERICA.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13208, 27 September 1915, Page 6

AMERICA.

NEW YORK. Sept. 24. Captain Smellie, of the British steamer Crossley, has filed with the British Consul a statement to the effect that he witnessed the sinking of the Allen liner Hesperian by torpedoes fired by a German submarine. In his account of it he says the submarine chased the Crossley and only by putting on full steam and steering a zig-zag course in the darkness was he able to escape. This statement is to be sent to the Admiralty to refute the claim of Berlin that the Hesperian was sunk by a floating mine. _ The cstptain states that lie sighted the Hesperian on September 4th, saw her give a sudden jerk, start, and sink by the head. He started to her assistance, but had hardly got the boat round when he discovered the submarine making for him. He was forced to turn the vessel round, ring for full speed and keep the vessel's stern towards the submarine. He escaped in the darkness. NEW YORK. Sept. 24.

Colonel Roosevelt, in an article in the Metropolitan Magazine, contends that it is America's ■luty under the Hague Convention to fight for Belgium. Had no duty been expressly imposed she ought to "iave acted in accordance with the generous in_ stincts of humanity. Professional pacifists and hyphenated Americans represent American greed, and in seeking to prevent the shipment of munitions to the Allies are playing a game of brutal militarism againstBelgium and their own country.