AMERICAN PREPARATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 15

AMERICAN PREPARATIONS.

President Wilson has issued a proclamation licensing the manufacturing and distribution of fuel oil, thus extending the Government's restriction upon non-essential industries. Another proclamation extends the Enemy Alien Act to permit the United States authorities to seize the property of wealthy interned Germans and thus # prevent them from continuing to trado with Germany. , President. Wilson, replying to a deputation, said: "America is determined to.spend every ounce of energy in prosecuting tho war. We are facing tho final phase of tho great struggle with Germany. If the Allies lose*"it will set back tho world's development a century." It is officially announced that America has 2,139,000 men under arms. Mr Daniels, replying to Senator Hitchcock, said'that the United States has sufficient ships to transport all tho troops which. Mr Baker announced that America will send to Franco in 1918. It is understood that tho Administration plans to cut the imports by 50 per cent, for tho purpose of releasing a million additional tons for transporting troops. The United States and Canada hay* agreed not to import labourers from each other without their respective Governments consent. . Interviewed by the Wall Street Journal a London correspondent, Lord Northcliffo said: "It is obvious that the simplest way to delay America's war preparations is for, the Germans to suggest that peace is imminent, and that America's war preparations are therefore unnecessary. , Pay no attention to such German propaganda." AMERICAN TROOPS IN FRANCE. The announcement has been permitted that American troops on the JFrench front are operating north-west of Toul, near St. Mihiel. .. .. The United Press military says that the American army's first objeotivo will 'be bending back the German salient south of Verdun. The Government is considering the question of increasino- the forces in Franco by training and equipping troops at an English camp. British' determination. Lord Reading (British Ambassador) has made a statement affirming that Britain is more determined than ever to fight to victory, no matter what sacrifices, sufferings, or "privations are involved. The next fewmonths would be the most critical of tho war; but they would be faeed with grim tenacity. . General Swinton accompanies Lord Reading.