AMERICA'S ULTIMATUM

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13797, 6 February 1917, Page 5

AMERICA'S ULTIMATUM

- /•• . • '.' . .*"••■■' ■ : vV.." .V - ' •'V ' : k GERMANY'S INTENTIONS TESTED \ i ■ , ■." V' " ; ' ■ '.■ v '.. V.. WAR BELIEVED INEVITABLE w -■". ■ W 1-»M ' SEIZURE OF INTERNED (GERMAN SHIPS AMERICA FEVERISHLY PREPARING. ' ■ 1 ' ' < COLOSSAL RESOURCES DISCLOSED PEACE THIS YEAR K" JgM % um wm shmw utterance RIOTING IN GERMANY . (pet Cable-Pre" Asaociation—Oopyiiglit,) / 'AMERICA'S BREAK WITH CENTRAL r v POWERS *. ' WAR WITH GERMANY REGARDED AS INEVITABLE. /'> • r ; rttifttwAWV terailNED :0N SPBMAMHE F^GHTFPX-HE^S.

• ' # (Renter's Telegrams.) tir- PARIS, February 4. - The United States lias severed diplomatic lelations V Aiistro-Hungary. * WASHINGTON, February 4. ' There is, a belief in some tiuarters that Germany ma> leplj with a declaration of war. _ _ ■ eg . Berlin correspondent of the New Yoi ' «eLned W out to p.hcy despite ■' ' America's action. . • m W declare ■■' " " Hading financiers regard w » stable. They **! that the financial situation was never better, and Pies* ;Vl '■#&« can raise any sum lie likes in twenty-foul louis. ■ •; There is the highest authority for saying that. Presiden ...": -Wilson does not regard the sundering of diplomatic Rations as •iminevitablc prelude to war. Washington fears w, and con- : .aiders it likely, tat hopes that it rfl he avoidable, because the •- - ' Ameriban people, tho.ugh they mil Mb* President Wilson » : anything, do not want nr. Furthermore, President Wilson . thinks-he con best help the cause of humanity by remaining . otitside.. ! . ' i , i i " " ' ' ■'<* AMERICAN STEAMER TORPEDOED BY SUBMARINE. POPULAR INDIGNATION RISING THROUGHOUT UNITED V; STATES,.

■ -vf, "' (Reuter's Telegrams,) • ' LONDON, February 4, :r The Hansatonic was sunk by a submarine off the Scillies.* The crew was rescued by a Britisli armed steamer. • NEW YORK, February 4. Consular reports state that the Hansatonic's crew.of thirty- -• seven was rescued by a submarine, which towed the boats ninety miles to land. ■ The State Department has received a message from the American Consul at Plymouth; stating that, tlie Hansatonic had full warning, and that an opportunity was .afforded the cr.ew to - • escape before the vessel was torpedoed. The news has relieved • the tension. •' r ' Relief was felt when it was learned that the Hansatonic's l crew had been saved. • ■ ' ■ ; !" . Telegrams show that the popular demand for war is spreading in consequence of the torpedoing of the Hansatonic. If the sinking of the vessel is confirmed, war is inevitable. RECEPTION OF NEWS THROUGHOUT UNITED STATES, DECISION APPLAUDED W : PRESS AND PUBLIC. . . (Australia:. and New Zealand Oabls Association.) WASHINGTON, February 4, Colonel Roosevelt has offered a division if war is declared, ( when he and his four sons will enlist. Professor Ellery Stowell urges the seizure ofjlie interned < ' liners at New York. ' 'lt is estimated that there are ten,thousand spies, in the United States./ The-Secret Service- admits German endeavours to

~ l ' ' , . secure plans<of fortifications of the principal ports. Widespread | plans have been made to cope with the spy menace. , ■ -"; • '.. ;^ : v,-. V .(Australi Nv? Sealatid 0b 1 oAssoi aii-pho^-. t !, j... .^;;■ - t NEW YORK, February 4, In an editorial, the New York World says: We face the ; " f crisis without fear or reproach. We; stand together,. cpmc what.. may. • The American Sun declares that the , blood, of Americans • pulses firmly , and proudly. The American is now aWake and erect. f The Chicago Tribune says: It is the only answer, If war comes by Germany's act Ave will welcome it. , The New York Herald'says; President Wilson has made a decision, and it is for the right. • •• The press outside New York are practically unanimous in. their support of President Wilson'. ' ' , : . The German-American newspapers hope that, war will be averted. '' , •'The chief machinist's'mate of -a-'United States .torpedo boat,"' named Jacob Joiies, has been arrested on a charge of opening : sea-cocks. Tw.o feet of water was. in the hold when the alleged attempt to sink the vessel was discovered. The v Austrian steamer Himalaya, lying at Newark, lias uliseaworthy by ; the piston heads and other parts of thtj'iiciachinpvy .behig •wilfiilly smashed. ' Two interned auxiliary cruisers, tlie Wilhelm .and , RudriCh, ;havt? been seized, 1 and tlve 'ci'cws' li'ave : lVeeii--intprispned. Panama reports that four interned HaiftburgfAmerika steamships have been taken iii the Canal zone. , ' ... r ; Mr Britten,.member'of the House' of-Representatives,'will to-morrow'introduce n resolution asking for 119,(500,000 dollars appropriation for the completion of one hundred and 'thirteen' war Vessels now being constructed. .: : ' The New York-American line 'of steamers is not. allowed to sail at present. They'may be convoyed.or:armslV ' ■ V (Australian find New Zealand'Cnble Association',.).■. ._• , . LONDON, February 4, • The Central News states that Mr Gerard has already started homewards. Dr W. 11. Page (American Ambassador'in London) . has been instructed to no longer regard himself as watching German interests in Britain. ', AMERICA ACCEPTS DECISION WITHOUT COMMENT _

"DUTY OF EVERY AMERICAN TO STAND BEHIND PRESIDENT." (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received February 5,5,0 p.m. NEW YORK, February! The outstanding feature of Sunday was the quietness of the New York .crowds and the absence of demonstrations and flagwaving. There was little to indicate that there, was such a serious crisis. ■ . ■ , The Sunday newspapers were eagerly read, but there was, no , excitement, and no disorder. _ ; • ; • The news from Washington reports that .the . situation is ' unchanged and has.been cleared by the removal-ofrthe Hansatonic as an issue. - / ~ .. •„ The State Department is asking Great Britain for a safe conduct for Count Bernstorft. ■ There is much interest in the attitude of the leading. GermanAmericans. Heads of German clubs and financiers, in the, course of interviews, show a general wish and belief that-war will be averted. They are even hoping that the diplomatic breach will serve to induce Germany to modify her programme. The majority declare that the Americans will first, support President , "Wilson whatever he decides. , r .. The Staats Zeitung says: The die is cast. The President ' has spoken for all the country, and the people, while they may regret'the trend of events, realise that it is now the duty.of; every American to stand squarely behind the President. Tfieie must not be any division of sentiment or opinion. There can be only one loyalty, namely, to America.' .'l.

The. United States Consuls abroad are engaged in intormar ■ conversations with Neutral Governments in view, of co-operation in-vindicating their-rights at sea. Mr Herbert Hoover, chairman .of the Neutral Belief Commission, says: "The Belgian relief transportation has been tern-/ : porarily suspended. The situation may be most serious for the Belgians." Mr Hoover is hopeful that operations will shortly be resumed. . ■ • 1 Hoover says: Fifteen Relief Commission ships are in or near the Avar zone. If the 'service is long paralysed the situation of ten millions in Belgium will be awful'to contemplate. I, will ask Germany, through the Spanish Ambassador to open a lane ofSftfet for the supply ships. AMERICAN-INTERVENTION MEANS USELESS GERMAN . . SACRIFICE. • J ' ■■ \ ' ' -■ • ■' ' P . HOW SOON WOULD AMERICA'S COLOSSAL STRENGTH BE effective? ("Tile. Times" Service.) '■ Received February 5, 5.20 p.m. • • LONDON,: February 4j ; - ; Ppon America relinquishing charge of;4^.;Gemari-..En( r ,' bassy, the Foreign Office immediately remqvedV the German . - archives. : . • ■ < (Australian und New Zealand Cable Association.) . " Received February 5, 5.20 p.m.,... LONDON, February 4. . German writers, including Dr i Naumann,- admit that American intervention would mean useless German sacrifice, particularly because the American Navy could assist and make the blockade .complete. America was certain also to send au army 1 to France and to refill the Allies' coffers. 1 (United Service) , " Received - ' , 1 ■ ' LONDON, February 4, in German military,experts point jout that it impossible for the United States to 'exercise its for six,months,.during which the submarine campaign would either be ' lost. Therefore victory solely' depends,'on their, efforts. ' ' v