UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144854, 4 December 1915, Page 3

UNITED STATES.

MR. FORD'S BLONDER. CAUSES GREAT LAUGHTER LONDON, Dec. 3. Mr. Ford has published, with the utmost solemnity, the best joke ol : his peace mission. It consists of a long telegram to the Rope, asking for his goodwill and co-operation, and is addressed to “Benedict V 11..” whom, later, Mr. Ford has learned, died in 993 A.D. Tho Pope decided to ignore the jesters, pointing out tha.t unless the belligerents have a saving sense of humour, Mr. Ford and his party run a grave risk of being court-martialled and shot for attempting a direct appeal to the troops in the trendies to strike. The universities hav© declined to allow representative students to accompany the party, commenting on the man as a grotesque one, which would accomplish nothing but to bring ridicule on the country. [The present Pope is Benedict XV.] GERMAN EXCHANGE DIFFICULTIES. LONDON, Dec. 3. Tho Times 1 correspondent at New York states that the International Bankers’ Association attribute tho depreciation of the Gorman mark to the excess of imports, and also to tho report that Germany is preparing to float a now war loan of 500 millions sterlihg. It is pointed out that Germany is now’ practically on a paper basis. ANOTHER GERMAN OFFICIAL. x NOT WANTED IN AMERICA. (Received Dec. 4, 10.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 3. Mr. Secretary Lansing has informed Count Bern&torft that Captain Boyed, German naval attache, is a persona non grata at Washington, because of his connection with tho HamburgAmoricun case. It is understood that Captain Boycd’s rocall has been demanded. AMERICA TOUCHED AT LAST. ITS VANITY WOUNDED. (Received Dec. 4, 12.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Dec. 3. The State Department has asked for tho recall of tho German military and. naval attaches, including Captain von Pappen, the author ot the phrase “those idiotic Yankees.” GERMAN OFFICIALS CONVICTED. S' ~ , OF BREACH OF N^TR^LITY. (Received Dec. 4, TO.ojljm.) 3. Tho Federal found three high officials iand a subordinate officer of the Line guilty of having violated the? laws of the United States by supplying! Gorman cruisers iu the South Atlalitib with coal and other supplies early -an; the war. The jury gave a verdict dffguilty on J each of two indictments on tha. specific cliargo of conspiracy to deceive and defraud the United States. The. maximum penalty on each indictment is two years' imprisonment and a -fine of IG,OOG dollars. The fine and sentence were imposed. Tho judge tomorrow will hear a formal motion by the defence to set aside the verdict and arrest tho judgment. The date of passing sentence will then be designated.