UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1917, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

HOPEFUL VIEWS. OP BRITISH PUBLIC MEN. New York, Nov. 28. The Londoiv correspondent of the New York World has secured some striking war interviews. Lord Sydenham said that recent events on the Italian front wpuld falsify calculations as to the duration of the war. No doubt Austria longed for peace, but the events in Italy had revived Germany's ambitions. Nothing but the disillusionment which failure on land and sea alone could bring will force Germany and her subservient vassals to propose a basis of peace which the Allies could accept. Russia had temporarily ceased to be a factor in the war. The best wc could hope was that the Italian line on the Piave would be held; otherwise it must fall back to the Adige. It was the Allies' duty to save Italy. The vast world issue might mainly depend on America's efforts. Germany's economic position was bad. Berlin regarded the winter anxiously. There was heavy mortality among German civilians from malnutrition, but they must not abate our efforts_ ■ America represented reserves of tremendous potentiality in the closing phase of the war. • When a thousand American aeroplanes had reinforced the West front and a similar- number the Italians the end would (be in sight. Viscount French was of opinion that it was essential the Allies should forego all thoughts of peace and concentrate on a more vigorous prosecution of the war. Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge could see no prospect of the war ending in less than two years. Admiral Henderson said: "In my opinion no hopes of peace can be entertained prior to December, 1918." REPLY TO HOLLAND. New York, Nov.' 28. Officials, replying tq .the statement of the Dutch Premier, Dr. van der Linden, on November 25, emphasise that the United States has not relaxed her championship of the rights of neutrals and small nations, but they should appreciate that the common vood is involved in the war by not hampering the Allies, whose food needs arc more imperative than those of neutrals. Leakage to Germany must end. America does not desire to starve neutrals, but in return for food they must lend some shipping. . . A settlement is soon expected on the. basis' of rationing and the reciprocal U9e of gliips.