AMERICA AND GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9043, 14 May 1915, Page 5

AMERICA AND GERMANY

AN EMPHATIC NOTE AMERICA PREPARED TO MEET ANY EVENTUALITY By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. ’ LONDON. May 12. The Washington Note to Germany is emphatic in . tone. It asks Germany to account for the loss of American lives on the Lusitania and the violating of American fights in the pur zone. The Note also asks for guarantees against a repetition,, and contains a plain intimation that the United States is prepared to meet any eventuality 1 arising out of non-compliance. “MISUNDERSTANDING” SUGGESTED (Received May 14, 0.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 13. • The American Note to Germany contains a suggestion that German submarine commanders probably misunderstood their instructions regarding the sinking of the Lusitania. TAri earlier message, said;—“According to those best informed President Wilson has decided to address a stern Note to Germany demanding tho discontinuance of submarine warfare on passenger steamers. The demand . will be couched 'in language appealing to the humanity of the wool© world. If it is refused Mr Gerard (American Ambassador to Germany) will be recalled and Count Bernstorff will receive his passports. Whether thereafter war will ensue depends on Germany's decision, j AMERICA AND PONTIUS PILATE EXALTATION OF PEACE OVER RIGHTEOUSNESS. ; NEW YORK. May 12. V tlr Roosevelt, in a magazine article entitled . .“Murder on the High Si>W” says:—“America is, neutral, as , Pontius Pilate ..was neutral.. Prpr sident Wilson's absurd exaltation of peace over righteousness has brought the United States into contempt before the whole civilised world. The Germans aref worse than Barbary pirates, and ought to be suppressed as pirates by the efforts of all the nations.: The hideous wrong-doings in Belgium,’ without American protest, has exposed the United States to the deepest scorn and comtompt.’ ; . A “JUSTIFICATION’' OF GERMANY l ". • ’ r* ' I . BRITAIN THREATENS TO STARVE HER CIVILIANS. WASHINGTON, May 12. 'Germany has notified the United States that her- submarine commanders have been instructed not to harm neutral vessels not engaged in hostile acts, ! Germany will-pay damages done to such vessels. In the war zone, neutral vessels carrying contraband will be dealt with according to the rules of nawal warfare. Germany justifies the work of the submarine on the ground that Britain is threatening to starve the civilians ,of Germany. 1 OPINION OF BANKERS IN WALL STREET GERMAN OFFICERS AND THE U.S. ARMY AND NAVY. ( , . NEW YORK, May 12. Bankers on Wall street are of opinion that Germany is trying to force America to have ten years’ start in the race for the world’s, trade, tile European nations being too exhausted to compete. Genuan officers recently expressed the belief that tho American Navy would make little difference, and that America could not . equip an army. [ ‘ STRAINED TO BREAKING-POINT ” AMERICAN PRESS COMMENTS ON SITUATION. (Received May 14, 0.5 a.m.) ■ NEW YORK, May 13. The Now York press is in revolt at The expressions of German sympathy, coupled as they are with regrets that Americans seemed ,to haye felt more, inclined to trust England’s promise than attend to German warnings. The “New York World ” says: “This adds insult to injury. Relations between Germany and America are strained to breaking point. Most of us ardently and sincerely desire that the breaking point bo not reached. The issue rests vyith the Germans. It is for the German Government to say whether it desires peato or war. If it desires peace there must be no more Lusitania massacres or Gulf Light incidents.” . The “ New York Times” says:—“The tension grows, but no sober-' minded person will urge hasty action.”