AMERICA'S DAY

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13859, 20 April 1917, Page 5

AMERICA'S DAY

EMPIRE-WIDE TRIBUTE PROPOSED ■ | . : PNIMOUS EULOGY BY BRITISH STATESMEN r-rr—i FRENCH OFFENSIVE INEXORABLE PRESSURE MAINTAINED ' % ■ i, - nza ' SEVENTEEN THOUSAND PRISONERS MEN c- j ENTENTE VICTORY SURE BREAK UP OF CENTRAL POWERS THE HEART OF RUSSIA ' ' I FIGHTING SPIRIT AND UNITY RESTORE?) ( . . I itTIBH ' ' 1 * (I'or Osbl! —Press Acnoeiat'on Copyright.) AMERICA'S ENTRY INTO THE WAR. "(jIJE OP THE MOST DISINTERESTED ACTS IN HISTORY." BRITISH TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF HUMANITY.

(AOitrallaD and Hew Zealand Cattle Association.) LONDON, April 18, Mr Bonar Law, speaking in the House of Commons, said that the joining in of the United States marked the turning point in the war. He welcomed America's entry because of the moral justification given to the Allies. Mr Asquith, who seconded the motion, said that America's coming in was one of the most disinterested acts in . history. .America's interests were not involved, and her independence was not threatened. The gradual unfolding of the real character of the German Uies and methods showed America that the •whole future of civilisation and the fate of the democracy were imperilled. In such a situation aloofness would not only be a / blunder, but a crime. ' ... Lord Curzon, speaking in the House of Lords, said that one by one the independent nations were drawn into the terrible vortex.' America had entered for the purpose of using her whole energies to end a rule of which the earth had had "enough. . Finally, her entry removed whatever doubt that might have been • created or existed as to the relations between the AngloAmericans. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Bryce supported • the motion, which was carried. Dr. W. H. Page, American Ambassador to Britain, and other '] Ambassadors were in the diplomatic gallery.

, AMERICA'S ENTRY WELCOMED BY ALL PARTIES. "■■■■■ ) UNITED KINGDOM TO CELEBRATE "AMERICA DAY." (Renter's Telegrams,) , Received April 19, 8.15 p.m. LONDON, April 18. s In the House of Commons, in reply to a question. L<irl Robert Cecil said America had not formally adhered to the Allies' agreement not to make a separate peace. 1 Sir Alfred Mond (First Commissioner of Works') said the Starßand Stripes would be flown alongside the Union Jack'on all;the Government buildings on Friday—America's Day. L: was also announced that the Anglo-American Governments '" were jointly considering the construction of tircraft. Sir Bonar Law, in the absence of Mr Lloyd George, in moving a resolution in the House of Commons welcoming .the United States as a new ally in the war, said the new worlds had stepped in to redress the balance of the old. The United States ■' possessed,, probably, in a'greater degree than any other nation, resources which in the long run would be decisive in ,the war. .?/ • Despite that the path; immediately ahead of the Allies had ne,ver been more difficult, he hoped and believed that the long night of sorrolv and anguish which had desolated the world was draw- ■■ /■ '• ■ ; ■ i

/ mg to a clomo. Tilo (limy aurl idcnlu which President Wilson's speech ho nobly ■exproMedavoi-o ouw, find, liku ua, Aiimriua waa ipuiid fighting, the one melliod .of securing these aiina. . Mr Asquith,. after eulogizing America's cliohitereH.tedneaa in intervening, said, that to step aside, with stopped ears, folded arms, and averted gaze, when they had the power, to intervone, would have been to become, not only .a spectator, but an aeeom-. pliee. But none, of ua feared how America would finally- decide, Mr J. Dillon, on behalf of the Nationalists, most heartilyjoined in welcoming Aremica;- The presence of. America at tiie Conference would be a sign of liope and assurance of liberty, Mr G. J. Wardle, on behalf of the Labourites, said that if the entrance of America resulted in the establishment of a great League of Nations, charged to keep the world at peace, no" •sacrifices would be too great. Reeeived\ April 19, 11.40 p.m. .. MELBOURNE, April 10. The Government departments have been instructed to celebrate America Day to morrow with a display of bunting and flags. »

PREPARING FOR ACTS OF LAWLESSNESS, ADOPTION OF CONSCRIPTION URGED BY THE PRESIDENT. | , ' '' ' | (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, April 18. • As a safeguard, the Panama Canal ports of Cristobal and Balboa have been ordered to be closed at night, and all lights are to be extinguished. An official, report from the destroyer Smith states that the , warship actually saw the periscope of a submarine 400 yards distant. The Navy Department reports heavy firing off Cape Cod. The cause is not disclosed. ■ In the House, the Military Committee voted in favour of raising 500,000 men by voluntary means. • President Wilson has conferred with the Senate Military Committee, urging them to pass conscription, with all speed, IMPORTANT DUTIES OF ENTENTE COMMISSIONERS. WIDE RANGE OF WAR MEASURES CONSIDERATION, i (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, April 18, The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour will discuss the following subjects: An international understanding; financial assistance for the Allies; military dispositions; naval operations; the supply of foodstuffs and general resources. The party includes twenty ; experts.' The French Commission will generally be on'similar lines. It is officially' stated that the United States is sending a commission to Russia. c / WAR DEPARTMENT ANXIOUS FOR CONSCRIPTION.

AWAITING SANCTION OF CONGRESS. IB i . * .« / (Australian and New Zealand Oahln Annotation.) Received April 19, 11.40 p.m. WASHINGTON, April 10, The War Department is planning the levy of half a million conscripts if the President is able to induce Congress to pass a Selective Draft Bill. The conscripts will enter the training canvas immediately. Lieutenant Hall, of the Indiana Regiment, has been sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for negotiating with the Mexican Government for a commission. \ (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received April 20, 1.30 a.m. WASHINGTON, April 10. ' The House of Representatives passed unanimously the Rill allowing the Allies to recruit from nationals within the United States. J , — —■ GERMAN EMPIRE ON THE-VERGE OF DISASTER. FEAR LEST TURKEY SBES FOR PEACE. - / REPORTED DEATH OF BELGIUM'S IRON RULER, (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) Received April 19, 11.40 p.m. - . BERNE, April 10, It is reported from Vienna that operations on the Austrian front are at a complete' standstill. / 1 . (AuatralUn and New Zealand Cable Association.) /Received April 19, 10.30-p.m. ' ' ROME, April 10, It is semi-olficially stated that at Vienna it is greatly, feared that Turkey, by reason of her very critical internal situation, and > military defeats, will' be obliged to, conclude, a separate peace. The pre-occupation in Berlin is equally pronounced. Each day brings victory for the Entente nearer. ~ - ..... (Reuter's Telegrams,)' - I Received April 19, 11.40 p.m. -■ AMSTERDAM,'ApriI 10, 1 The death is announced of General von Biasing, the Governs' . V of Brussels. A" German official, statement announces that the sixth war . | loan reached £638,000)000. '' v