A WAR PROCLAMATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3291, 11 April 1917, Page 17

A WAR PROCLAMATION.

President Wilson has signed the Congress war resolution. President Wilson," in a war proclamation, appealed to. every American to give undivided support where necessary to all military measures, and warned aliens against unlawful acts. He requests Americans to 'forbear from provocative aonduct against aliens, and promises security to everyone who obeys the law and preserves the peace. AMERICAN PREPARATIONS. The United States navy has been ordered to mobilise. The- order affects 361 ships, including 12 first and 22 second-line battleships. The Army Bill provides for 1,000,000 men during the second year of war between America and Germany. The Minister of War states that conscription is absolutely necessary; also enormous orders for munitions, including three million grenades. There are sufficient small arms to equip 1,200.000 of 7,000,000 men between the ages of 19 and 25. There are 4,000,000 detachable from commerce. The Administration has asked for a £680.000,000 appropriation from Congress for the army and navy, and is asking for an increase in tile navy personnel by 150,000.

The War Administration will on Monday ask Congress for authority to raise five billion dollars, whereof three billion (£600.000,000) will be used to purchase Entente 34 per cent, war bonds. It is stated that the United States will not take any profits from this huge loan, but offers it to the Entente for the same interest as their war loans bear. This is America's immediate contribution to the Allied cause. The remaining two billion (£400X00,000) will bo used for war purposes. The Government intends to impose very heavy taxation. It has trebled the income tax, and possibly there will bo confiscatory surtaxes on incomes above £20,000. The Federation of Labour has promised the Government all the skilled workers required. The Government is planning- to immediately take over all radio stations throughout the country. AN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. The Government contemplates sending an expeditionary force of 5000 men to the west front. Experts oppose this on military grounds as uselessly reducing the shipping

requred for food and munitions, and interfering with tho training of officers, but the Government thinks that the sentimental and political results outweigh such considerations.

Tho fact that tho Government has adopted types of gas masks and steel helmets, and ordered thrench bombs, is interpreted as a preparation for . European lighting. Viscount Bryce (ex-Ambassador to the United States) and Sir William Robertson favour an American expeditionary force. Twenty suspected spies havo been arrested, and thousands are under surveillance. _ INTERNED VESSELS SEIZED. Ninety interned German ships have been seized m United States ports. It is ogoially explained that tho seizure was ordered for the protection of the ships themselves and' the adjoining property, 'the total tonnage seized amounts to 630,000 tons. The vessels may bo used as transports. Two thousand German sailors have been interned. The seized interned ships are being repaired. Documents show that the Germans intended to destroy six of the ships, but the plot was discovered. The German gunboat Cormoran, interned at Guam, refused to surrender, and was blown up by her crew. Two warrant officers and fivo members of tho orew were killed by the explosion. Thirty-two officers and okil men have been made prisoners. SPIES AND PLOTS. Twenty suspected spies have been arrested, and thousands are under surveillance. The arrest of 300, mostly master spies, is proving a great deterrent. Only a few names are announced. Blue prints with elaborate notes on United States fortifications have been found on a German liner and seized. There were other startling disclosures when the sailors' baggage was overhauled. The Secret Service estimates that there are 20,000 German reservists in America who are susceptible of anti-American leadership, but who will be cowed by the arrest of their loaders. Tho arrested include the notorious Koenig (tho Hamburg-Amerika Company's chief detective)- and the Rev. Mr Bruckner (who suppJied the falso affidavit stating that the Lusitania was armed). iSix Germans, including Captain von Kleist, a naturalised American, have been found guilty of placing bombs aboard food ships bound for Ailied ports. The accused include tho engineers of tho German liner Friederich der Grosse. They were each sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

A plot lias been revealed which originated in North Carolina and extended over the entire United States, aiming at turning the negroes against the Government. A rising throughout the South was planned. The conspiracy is the result of two years' organisation by German secret agents. Reports ha'vo 'been received from Nashville that the first arrests of negroes have been made on charges of rebellion and treason. BREACH* WITH AUSTRIA. A Vienna message states that the Austrian Ambassador was instructed to demand his" passports. The American Ambassador at Vienna also demanded his passports, and has taken his departure with his staff. Holland lias taken charge of the Austrian and Amez-ican interests in the respective countries. SOUTH AMERICAN STATES. The intense anti-German excitement in Brazil was increased by thp torpedoing of the steamship Parrana. involving three deaths. It is expected' that Brazil will declare hostilities and seize all interned ships. Possibly Bolivia will follow. There is some anxiety regarding the attitude of the halfmillion Germans in the State of Rio Grande. As an outcome of the torpedoing of the steamer Parrana tho .Brazilian Government is considering a declaration of war against Germany. Reports indicate that there is a desire to enter tho war in Brazil, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. The attitude of the Argentine is doubtful. President Menocal asked tho Cuban Congross to declare the State at war with Germany. The Bill introduced authorises the offering of a contingent of 10,000 men for the United States. President Menocal signed tho war declaration, which was posted amid, scenes of tho wildest enthusiasm. All interned enemy ships have been seized. THE MEXICAN MENACE. The do facto Mexican Government troops in tho three border States have begun a general movement towards tho Texas border. Carranza officials say that its offensive campaign is against Villa. Reports from Mox : co show that the Mexican military party, including several generals, are demanding war 'with America if she enters into hostilities against Germanv.

Hundreds of Germans are endeavouring to arrange a Mexican invasion of tho border States. The Mexican border menace is increasing. Fivo thoiisand additional Carranzists are moving north from Torreon. Nine thousand have already evacuated Chihuahua City to Genera! Villa. These are en route to Jaurez. General Carranza continues silent as to his intentions. GENERAL. German-American newspapers are pledging themselves to support President Wilson. In the Senate a motion has been introduced suppressing _ all newspapers in the German language in the United States. Reports have been received that the Germans have arrested Mr Van Hee, the American Vice-consul at Ghent, who was engaged in relief work, and have sent him to Germany PEACE TALK. Tho Austrian Emperor and Empress, accompanied by Herr Czernin _ (Foreign Minister), visited the Kaiser, Kaiserin, and Dr von Betmann-Holhvegg, at Gorman Headquarters for the purpose of holding a political discussion. This gave rise to an early peace being probable; but a Berlin Note declares that Germany will not make further peace proposals until her enemies admit they arp vanquished. THE KAISER. The Morning Post's Washington corre-

sponclent has received -information from American financial circles closely connected with Gorman-American bankers, who intimate the terms of the German Government to (he effect that the Kaiser is fatally ill with Bright's disease. His illness is ascribed to continued worry and mental depression. His physicians and cntourago failed to rally him, and the disease has now such a hold that recovery is impossible. His death is expected in the next few months. The same German bankers say that unless there is a sudden republican uprising after the Kaiser's death a constitutional monarchy is likely, as an outcome of which the Hohonzollern House will probably loso the Imperial Crown. The Germans will not accept the Crown Prince owing to his morals. Hostility to the Kaiser was marked during the Bismarck birthday celebrations in Germany. Dr Baumer. a member of the Diet, in a. speech at Cologne, attacked Germany's diplomacy. THE KAISER REFORMS. The German papers publish a letter from tho 'Kaiser instructing the Chancellor to draw up proposals for a reform of the Prussian Diet. ' The Kaiser admits that the people's war sacrifices necessitate tho abolition of unequal suffrage. The Kaiser's letter pays tribute to the nation's unity and war sacrifices at home and in the field. The war, he says, has broken down social barriers and opened a now era. He commands Dr von BethmannHollweg to immediately prepare definite plans enabling tho whole people to cooperate in the political life to bo adopted without delay when the soldiers return, which ho confidently hopes will not be far distant. The- measures must include the direct secret election of deputies. The Kaiser has convinced the Prussian Upper Houso that it must be more representative of all classes, including trading interests.

GERMAN INTERNAL CONDITIONS. Every woman in receipt of public relief in the Hamburg district is compelled to do sjx hours' agricultural work daily. There has been an explosion of shells at Essen, and 38 persons were seriously injured. 'lhere w as serious rioting at Dusseldorf on tho 9th inst. Tho military were called out, but many soldiers refused to fire on the people. Those refusing were shot by their ollicers. Two hundred soldiers and civilians were killed. A wireless message advises that the Minister of War informed the Budget Committee in the Reichstag that since the outset of hostilities 80 per cent, of the Alsatians who had been mobilised in the German army had deserted. It was estimated that 20,000 Alsatian-German subjects were now fighting for France. CORRUPTION IN AUSTRIA. As the outcome of a charge of corruption, tho Austrian Ministers of War, Justice, and_ Finance have resigned. The Daily Mail says that the internal condition of Austria-Hungary is illuminated by the trial of Dr Kranz on a charge of corruption and peculation from the army stores. Franz was heavily fined. This blow to public confidence was increased by tho arrest of five Prague bankers on a charge of treason. Pvince Odescafrbi committed suicide owing to imminent charges of corruption. The value of the kronen has fallen onehalf.