U.S. AND GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9621, 29 March 1917, Page 5

U.S. AND GERMANY

MIERISA'S H9WR lIWOHED VINDICATION INSISTED UPONfly Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable .Association. WASHINGTON, March 27. Tlio Foreign Affairs Coiumittgo of the House of Representatives is preparing a resolution to he submitted to the new Congress, declaring that the time has arrived when tho United States must vindicate her honour and rights by declaring that a state of war with Germany exists through German acts, and giving the President potver to act. Tho resolution will authorise increases in the army and navy. EXTENSIVE PREPARATIONS , GERMAN-AMERICANS WATCHED. -EXTREME PENALTIES TO BE INFLICTED FOR PLOTTING. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association! NEW YORK, March 27. Precautions are being taken everywhere following.on the realisation of tho necessity of preventing bomb plots and) pro-German outrages in the event of a declaration of war. The policy of the local Governments, as well as of thq Federal authorities, throughout tho United States is one 'of co-operation. Tho police force in Now York,. Chicago, St. Louis, and other cities with a largo German population hare for a long time been making an exhaustive canvass to ascertain tho addresses, occupations, sympathies, and possible activities of Genman-Americans. There has also been a long-established surveillance of German restaurants and clubs, for tho purpose of obtaining familiarity with the habitues' probable operations in the event of war. Tho New York police have worked out elaborate details to meet an emergency. Many sections of New York aro almost exclusively German in population. These are under particularly close surveillance, and the police have machine-guns and motor lorries to use ,in case of emergency. Members of the Cabinet realise the need for rigid precautions to prevent plotting. The first step was the decision to call out the National Guard, to protect public works. Many leading Genman-Americans are openly proclaiming that they aro loyal to America, and are signing a pledge of loyalty. Tlie members of one German Club refuse to sign, asserting that it is unnecessary. There is much comment on this action.

The nation’s precautions are known to tlio pro-Germans, and are causing them intense uneasiness.

The knowledge that it i s intended to inflict .extreme penalties for plotting is, however, likely to have a deterrent effect. The newspapers point out that the firmest policy is tho only way to prevent outrages. Meanwhile, a remarkable rush for naturalisation continues. Pamphlets explaining “How to Become an American Citizen” are selling in the streets like wildfire.

PRUSSIAN PRINCE DEAD WOUNDED WHILE FLYING ACROSS BRITISH LINES. By Telegraph—X'rcao Association—Copyright Eeuter’a Telegram*. (Received March 28, 6 p.m.) LONDON, March 27. The “Daily Express” states that Prince Friedrich Carl has died of wounds received while raiding. On the 2oth inst. it was reported that Prince Friedrich Car! of Prussia had received a bullet wound in the stomach during a recent aerial flight. A previous message stated that he had crossed tho British lines and failed to return. Prince Friedrich was the son of Princo Leopold, eldest son of tho late Princo Charles, a brother of tho Kaiser’s grandfather. Ho was born on April 6th, 1893. A RUSSIAN REPORT ENEMY “USE'S ASPHYXIATING GAS. Uy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Ana. ami N.Z. Cable Assn, and Eeuter. Admiralty —Per Wirele&s Press. LONDON, March 2. A Russian official report states: Attacks, accompanied by asphyxiating gases, on the west bank of the River Ohara, compelled u s to retire to tho eastward. GREAT EXPLOSION AT CHARLEROI GERMAN DEPOT BLOWN UP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Ecutcr’a Telegram*. (Received March 23, 11.10 p.m-) AMSTERDAM, March 28. The Gorman depot at Charleroi has been blown up. The enormous explosion was heard on the frontier.