THE GREAT WAR

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

THE GREAT WAR

I I , SEIZURE OF GERMAN SHIPS IN AMERICAN PORTS,

• • • •. i FIFTY MILLIONS' WORTH OF VESSELS PUT INTO x COMMISSION. ' ■ I V ■.'■.■;■■ ) < C23C55655!! ■ • ' 4 " - (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association,) Received February 5,8.20 p.m. ' ; . 1 . ' LONDON, 1 February 4. ~.. 1 ; ' The Hausatonic was sunk in I,he channel,• flying the, American 1 flag, and with the American-colours prominent on her sides.'" The j submarine's commander gave the.crew'an hour to leave the ship.' ■ ' The Germans, before sinking»the vessel, searched, the Hoiisatoiiic,.. | and carried off a quantity of soap. ' ' v ; -::-. ; ■■ :.:■ :■ ■ The Norwegian steamer Ymer -(1123 tons) has .been sub;.. mariiied and sunk. ''■ ■ • , i. ns, J alian ® nd , Zealand Cable Associntlon.7 : Received February 5 ; 8.20 p.m. ' ' • , . LONDON,. February 4. British shipping circles anticipate that 200 German .ships,''; ( valued at £50,000,000, which have taken refuge in the UnitedStates harbours, will be used to carry cargoes to allied ports. '' There are thirty-one vessels in New York alone, valued at , £28,000,000. If the South American Republic acts similarly about one-third of Germany's mercantile marine will be released; (Reuter's Telegrams.) i ' Received February 5, 8.30 p.m. . \ • • WASHINGTON, February 5 ! 1 Steps are being taken to guard all the German Consulates," Orders have been issued to American ships in American, Argentine, and Indian ports to remain in port. litc Government is taking possession of all German'ships at j Hoboken, where seventeen arc. tied up. .It. is reported that the crews put the machinery all out of action of thirty-three German 3 vessels interned at the at Manila. The crews' attempted to destroy the vessel?;, but the authorities took immedi-' ate action to checkmate them. Honolulu reports state that the-intenied German gunboat Geier is burning. The crew tired, the vessel. i ' _ NEUTRALS COMBINING TO BEAT GERMANY. .

1 ■ • .; r WAVE OP INDIGNATION GROWING IN STRENGTH, (Reuter's Telegrams.) 1 Received February 5, 8.30 p.m. .. . j' "■ ... • :;:LO'NDON, Pebruaiy B. .The Madrid correspondent of the Daily: Telegraph- -says-: • " Though the Spanish reply to Gcrinany,has not- yet been textually ■ • decided/the reply will protest energetically .against the.sinkings, ■without warning, or- other sinkings .without an effective blockade., ' '.Spain' will demand the right to trade with other is: •: JK \ . ; ■ 4 if necessary, to adopt all measures and make all sacn- ■■ t /fices to assure and preserve her national life and industries, b' Received February 5, ( 8.30 p.m. •• " . ' ■ (Router's Telegrams.) . - STOCKHOLM, February 4. : . A conference of sr.ilors. and stevedores unions is being.held shortly to discuss a proposal\to boycott German shipping in ..., Swedish ports as a retaliation.. Many shipowners do not believe tlie blockade will be effective, and are preparing t6 resume. 8 The Government proposes to alter the war insurances to meet j the hew situation, Official insurance at present has been susi. .pended, but private companies continue business and are charging" r ten per cent increase for North Sea voyages. •>. »• l - Received February 5,5.40 p.m. 1' ' ' ■ (JJeuter's Telegrams.) ... / COPENHAGEN, February' 4, \-j.'" The Government is constantly conferring with commercial and financial circles in view of the blockade dangers. Full cou- • trol of stores will shortly be established; Export is becoming ' ;'a delicate problem. It is feared that commercial neutrality is 1 impossible, if exports can only be sent to Germany. Reports from Norway state that insurance, on;,ships and • goods'continues. Some shipowners have ordered their vessels to said'for England. - < 1 it is understood that Norway, Denmark, and Sweden arc • negotiating concerning the submarine situation. '• „; ; .£ ' Received February 5, 8.40 p.m. ' (Reuter's Telegrams,)- 1 THE HAGUE, February 4. The German censor has stopped alt German nejspaperp ;en- i . tering Holland, also telegrams referring to the effect America's,. •• action, . Diplomatic circles have received no news from Berlin since Saturday. \ , _— , ;jt AMERICA MAKING FEVERISH PREPARATIONS. •. • /■ Vr.' /f' V • *' '' '• ' . . five Million: wedia?ely available, .. J<Reuter's ITelegraing.) '" Received',February"s,B;-30p.m.. • NEW YORK, February 4,v - - There is the greatest activity /in naval -and patrol' circles,.' I The fortresses to Hampton, roads have been manned with addi- | tional artillerymen,, ' s Received February 5,10.30 p.m. NEW YORK, February 5. ■ -The-Defence CWncil reports, that-4,778,000 fit'and unmarried:. ' ; men are available for military service. There is a total of ' I 21,000,000,J)ien'between 28 years and 45 years, of which the.inf dustries' could spare 10,000,000,

TW&* SATISFACTION IN ALLIED AND NEUTRAL COUNTRIES. WORLD-WIDE'HOSTILITY TOWARDS GERMANY. ' ' ■• ••> I • ' (Australian and New Zortlfiml Cable Associntion.) LONDON, February 4.- ' ■ Americans in London greeted • President Wilson,'s decision; . with hearty satisfaction,- . and scenes .of.;cnthusiasm, occurred, in:.;the dining-rooms of the great hotels popular with American visitors, the orchestras playing "The Star-Spangled- Banner" /' and "Yankee Doodle." - ' j A : crowd of several , hundreds gathered at* the American , Embassy and lustily cheered, tljcn, .forming- fours, they marchedoff to tour the West End, accompanied by an impromptu band consisting of half-a-dozen whistles; a trombone, two oboes, arid some other wind instruments of the windiest: character. A man from Virginia joined them, having, a kilted. Scotty on one arm. - and a French poilu on the other. He selected the ,Empire Corner.- : .for a particulai'lyiiappy..little speech: "Say,- boys," he cried, .•' ••. the, first tiiflo since the war, beg^n'tliat I have 'been able to place'.a- liaiid on the am of 1 a>BritiSher and the arm of a Frenchman, and, in doing so, .I feel that-I-am a true American." The newspapers are not Surprised by President Wilson's, decision. Its promptness is interpreted as showing that ■America's amour propro has been sharply affronted by Ger- • many's insolent dictation, and also. that.Pre con : scions that the whole' nation is behind him. " ' ; • } STOCKHOLM, February 4. Sweden has demanded from Germany an explanation of the submarining of. the Edda. The.situation is regarded as most ■ serious. ' \ ■•■' '< -• . NEW YORK, February 4„; A Note has been received from Switzerland. It is understood that it relates to President Wilson's peace proposal. The Buenos Aires correspondent of the United Press Association states that South. American opinion is guarded. - •• The'newspaper La Nacion says that it is unfortunate that the United States has been more careful of its own superiority than to achieve the collective action of the neutrals. ■ j LONDON, February 4. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Daily Chronicle states that the news of the German-American rupture electrified 'Hoi-- ' land, and special bulletins were'placarded everywhere. It is generally believed America's action will have a deep and grave influence on Holland's own diplomatic affairs. ROME, February 4. The newspapers contain enthusiastic. congratulations to . President 1 Wilson. They consider that the step marks a decisive phase in the war. LONDON, February 4. The Washington correspondent of the Central News states that concerted action among the neutrals along United States ■lines is regarded as' probable, particularly among the Latin- . . nations.. , ; The Neiv? York correspondent of Lloyd's Weekly says: ..The .-..-general staff has formulated plans for imine'diate action iii the ■ j event.of Avar. America-will be able to raise two'-millidn'trobps yearly for two years'. ' The General Staff's scheme includes ' American .factories and munitions and supplies. . :' j •••:•"' (Reuter's Telcgrnttis:) - - •:• ; RIO DE JANEIRO, February 4, .■ ■ y The Government is convinced that the time has come to - abandon neutrality if the new German • submarine' campaign ' -"directly injures the vital interests of Brazil. It opines that the if . moment the, United States enters the conflict, the South American States ought to seek a uniform policy.

GERMANY FORESAW AMERICA'S ATTITUDE. TERRIBLE SEA MONSTERS AS THE LAST' CARD. (Australian and Now Zealand CiiMb Association,) . '. AMSTERDAM, .February 4, The Lokal Anzeiger says': It Js not a matter, of indifference fiat the greatest neutral Power sides witlr our enemies, but" Waaliiiigton is not mistaken. '<% foresaw the possibility, but discovered it "a lesser evil .than the abandoning, of, our,, best : .. .weapoi) against our'most dishonest adversaries. .• (Ausirnl.iou, and. sew-Zfifiluii/l Onbje Assopißtioji.) . . j," NEW YORK, February 4i The Berlin correspondent, of the Chicago Tribune, who'has . spent months invGermanjv.sa.ys tliat hundreds of new terrible sea-monsters have bedn released from ajid other "poits. lhey can fire under-sea torpedoes or meet prbtected " .cruisei-s in equal combat on the Germany is playing her ■ last;trump with these. Tlie-cori||(piident adds: Huge diving .. cruisers - will lead Germany's U-boat armada. ThGi;o'will lie " :■ five-tliousand-toii submarines with ,V surface speed of twentysix.;i^otg,; thirty torpedoe 'tubes ami twenty-two disapv pearing guns. • : i i (UnitedrSorvico,) . ' i • LONDON, February 4. : Commentators agree that Germany deliberately cliose to offend the United States, regarding unrestricted submarining as . more important than American activities as a belligerent. More- 1 over Germany will welcome the''American representation in the' peace negotiations, believing that .American semi-pacificists will \wcaken the English' and French demands. One theory based on i .unquestionable information 'is 'that' Germany desires W over- I lun. Denmaik, seize the Scheldt,'and possibly Holland,'securing ' stores of copper and food. This 'would be the natural sequent ' of the German policy'when neutral opinion ceased to count.

S?# ;:;: y:-- ■■;•■•;;■- ■ ■ - ■■ ; ■ l '' '■ •::•.■ V GERMANY BUILDING ON SPEEDY SUCCESS'OF NEW ' '• ' CAMPAIGN/ ' / "■■* -J" - ■ . •• .••• ' - :■■ ■ ■■ B " ' . v 1 •' ■■. 1 • -• \ ■ ■■ ■ ■ >.'■■■ " " ■:. ; - a • v • ■■ ■ ■ : 1 ■■ 1 ■ ' .. ■ 1. : : .■. ' 1 HOPES TO FULLY REDUCE ENTENTE SHIPPING. *' ' 1 : 1 . (Router's Telegrams.) .... 'V j Received February 5,8.40 p.m. ■ . » STOCKHOLM, February 5. Diplomatic circles report that/it'is statccl that pr. vou-Bett •; liiiuiii-llolHveg inet a secret conference of the Reichstag leaders. : Tlie'leaders enquired whether the results of the new. siibmarme policy would compensate for ilie;, possibility of Ainerican hostility. Dr. von Hollweg replied: (i lf the blockade succeeds we Will suc- . ceed in a limited number, of weeks, in which America cannot & fectively participate. ■;'- i: The .German Admiralty calculates that tjie woild ....tonnage is reaching the minimum compatible with the Entente continuing the war. It is true that America • jyiU be able to turn out munitions and soldiers indefinitely,-but ; these can only be exported by jeoparding the Entente's armies ■and the people's own tonnage shortage.

! "PEACE WILL GOIE THIS YEAR" ■ MR ILOYD GEORGE ON THE WAR OUTLOOK. GERMANY'S SUPER-FRIGHTFULNESS OP KO AVAIL. ' ' '* I '. ' ... (Reuter's Tolograms.) ' ! LONDON, February 4. Mr Lloyd George, addressing his. constituents at Carnarvon, pleaded for a fair trial. He said the new Government had . .. , already saved hundreds of thousands of tons of shipping, and was arranging for the construction of hundreds of thousands of new tonnage. The Prime Minister eulogised the Munitions .' Department, and said that when the time came the supply of; • 'shot, shell ,and guns of all calibres would be ample, with even a surplus for our Allies. The present muddle in the Balkans was ■ due to improvidence, hesitation,, and lack of imagination, foi which the Allies were jointly blamcable, but the Balkans was the only theatre causing anxiety. "The Goth in All His Nakedness." •"Germany's, latest sea policy would reveal the Goth in all his nakedness, even to the most indulgent neutral," Ml' Lloyd George continued. "Germany's offer to allow America to send one steamer weekly to Europe was insolence almost amounting .... to insanity. But we would overcome 'the submarine menace by grit, energy and courage. The nation niust support the autiioi'i- . ties with their''moiiey, labour, laiid, tiii'd courage. There, could . be no peace without victory, for we must demonstrate to the , _ Prussian.Beast that he was a false god.that could not protect itself, let alone the German people. . ■ • "Peace Will Come This Year." "Peace would come in 1917, for Germany knows that by 'holding out .till 1918 she would be in a. worse position. The,' British Empire is organising all its resources; and can and. will do more than it is doing, at present. "VYjith the' object of seeing what can be done the first Imperial Cabinet will commence its • sittings in a few weeks. It is unthinkable that the Great German territories can be disposed of after the war without consulting ' • the Dominions, since tlicy shed blood in acquiring them. The Dominions must share the responsibility of considering this issue. as part of the settlement of the great world problem following i the world's war." "Time, the Most Terrible pf All Neutrals." Mr Lloyd George appealed to the nation to help in achiev- r ' ing victory by subscribing to the war loan, by growing food, and. by economising its consumption. The Minister added: The . assistance we ask the public to give must be given without delay: There must be no loitering, no lingering. Time, which is hesitating and has perplexed the neutrals, has not yet decided on which side he' is going to swing his scythe. For the moment the scytlie. o is striking both sides, causing, great-havoc. The hour .will come • ... when he will swing finally on one side or the other. Time is the ' most deadly of all' neutrals. Let us enlist him amongst the Allies. 'JJhc only way to win Time is not!to lose time,'whether in the Avorkshop, the council, the chamber, or on the field. . \ A new Britain, Mr Lloyd George said, would reappear when. • the smoke of the great conflict cleared away,-and its commerce, • .-. trade and industries would be-new. There would be new condi- ' tions for Capital and Labour, and new relations between them and the State. The old principles would survive, but. there would ■be a new outlook.. In ,a few raging years the character and des- ' "• tiny of the whole race froutd'b'c determined fortiuknowii'ages.''

DESPERATE NEED OF ■ PEA® ' ■ RIOTS REPORTED IN THREE GERMAN TOWNS, TURKISH TROOPS QUELL DISTURBANCES,. ■■ i 1 ■ i - . (Australianand New Zealand Cable Association.) •••. Received-February-5, • 10.20. p.m; ' J " ' ' ■ LONDON, February 5. , The Daily 'Chronicle is-informed that riots occurred recently' "' f ' at Kiel, Lubeck, and Munich. The German troops refused to fire on the Munich rioters. The authorities summoned Turkish w.« troops undergoing training. These quelled the disturbance.