GERMAN-AMERICAN CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, 8 May 1916, Page 5

GERMAN-AMERICAN CRISIS

GIVING GERMANY ANOTHER CHANGE WEAKNESS CONDEMNED BY THE PRESS. WASHINGTON, -May 6. It is considered practically certain that the United States will accept the German Note as the cessation, of submarine warfare except in accordance with international law, but will allow to remain in abeyance Germany's condition that the United States approach Britain in order to secure the freedom of the seas. ' If German}- again breaks her promise by sinking merchant men then diplomatic relations will be broken off forth- ' with. Representative newspapers oppose any such • "weakening of the Cabinet's attitude. The New York Herald points out that lon the anniversary of the Lusitaniaoutrage lynch law is still in force on the seas, "and' the lyncher is still an unrepentant bully. The newspapers declare that the German Note is farcical. and offers no hope of settlement. Germany's, efforts to place the responsibility oil. Britain are as hopeless as her efforts to prove that Russia, France, and Britain were responsible for the war. The New York World says it is preposterous to imagine that Germany has really yielded. The New York Tribune declares that no country could submit to Germany's counter-ultimatum and preserve its self-respect. If President Wilson now gives in America will never forgive him. AMERICA WILL ACCEPT THE REPLY AN UNOFFICIAL MESSAGE. (R-ec. May 8. 10.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 7. It is -understood that President Wilson accepts Germany's reply. President Wilson frankly trusts ljec good faith (in carrying out th.©- undertaking. GERMANY'S REPLY WRITTEN BY THE KAISER. (Rec. May 8, 10.5 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, May 7. German newspapers state that the Kaiser wrote the entire reply to the American Note. .The Cologne Gazette says the Kaiser could; not take any other decision than entrusting- us with, the sacrifice of swallowing our justified! anger regarding responsibility for the final decision. STATEMENTS MR LANSINC MISTAKES IN SUBMARINE WARFARE INADMISSIBLE. (Rec. Mav 8, 8.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 7. Mr Lansing. Secretary of State, said mistakes in submarine warfare were inadmissible. They might ask Germany to produce her earlier orders to the commanders and compare them with the new orders. "ARROGANT,' INSOLENT, AND SULTING" REPLY. (Rec. Mav 8, 8.15 a.m.) 1 NEW YORK, May 7. The New York World- describes the reply as arrogant, insolent, and insulting/ America could not contemplate the suggested alliance with Germany with a -view to breaking the British blockade. It would be a permanent stain on American honour. There is a significant increase in the number of newspapers demanding compliance with the "laws of humanity. GERMAN PRESS AND MR HUGHES "A STRONG MAN FROM AUS- : _ . TRALL?L." LONDON, May 5. The German press loses no opportunity to-deride Mr Hughes. The Cologne Gazette publishes part of his Edinburgh speech, headed: "A Strong Main. From Australia." The Gazette says : "Herr Hughes enjoys the. spiendia press of .England. The tougher English statesmen are ,invited to copy his rough-and-ready 'strike-themrdead* manner. . The great difference is whether, like Herr Hughes, those playing the strong man have no further responsibility, or whether they have'to provide some sort of harmony between words and deeds. Mr. GhurchilF -w'as lacking in deeds, so he was hissed off the stage. Herr Hughes continues as a bold circus athlete to hundredweights made of paper. It is sicn of English intellectual decadence that this Australian is hailed a<j the ideal of statesmanship. * THE GOVERNMENT AND THEIR EXPERTS ILLUSIONS DISPELLED BY LORD CURZON.. LONDON, May 5. Lord Curzon, addressing the Primrose League, said he wished to dispel the illusion that the Government spent their time in modifying and rejecting . the War Committee's decisions. The latter had an absolutely free hand and in ninety-nine casets out of a hundred its decision -vyas not even- debated.- Another. illusion- was that the Government ignored and overruled . the advice_of their military and nayal advisers. The Government fully recognised that strategy " and the'conduct of the campaign must 'be left to the 'Chie'f of the General Staff. A-thirdillusion was that the Government considered themselves indispensable.. Neither collectively nor individually were they guilty of that mistake, and all were ready to retire if Parliament's confidence were withdrawn. The greatest contribution Britain was making was not merely men in the field, munitions, or ships sailing the seas, ibut the "unimpaired solidarity and stubborn tenacity of the nation as a -whole. That inspired the confidence of the Allies, and struck terroj- into the enemy. The rebellion in Ireland- was one of the" enemy's many attempts to diminish the military- strength of England. The revolt, was a mad and squalid affair and retribution would be swift and stern. He would not say that the present Government "wa.s the ° n y one capable of retaining the uniCy of the nation But it represented all the parties in the State, and- was therefore more likelv to retain unity than any-other formed for' th e time ibemg -Whether ; the war proved long or short, the Government would go on to the end. iie • had heard many things discussed irt Cabinet, but never peace. That word was expunged from the vocabulary until victory was won. (Applause). * X.ONDON, May 5. Mr Hughes has gone to Wales, will return on Monday. He has had further conferences oil the freight and metal problems. He is undecided as to the length of his stay in England. He hopes to respond to invitations to visit Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham, and York, 311 d >ypuld like opportunities "to address labour circles, to follow up the policy lie will submit to the Paris Conference, but it depends upon whether his return to Australia- is ■ureent, or he can be spared for a longer period. He will attend the sugar producers' con ference on Tuesday.