UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144858, 9 December 1915, Page 3

UNITED STATES.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS. .WARNING-TO PRO-GERMANS. WASHINGTON, Dec, 8. Tho President, in his address to Congress, emphasised that it was the duj.y of Americans to remain neutral so that some part of tho great family of nations could keep the progress alive, if only to prevent economic ruin and breakdown throughput the world. Ho concluded by upholding the Monroe doctrine, instancing Mexico as a test case. He stressed the necessity for an adequate American .mercantile marine and the purchase or construction of Government vessels to develop overseas trade and trade Between the American continents. President Wilson did not accuse the Gormans of complicity, though ho obviously referred to Teutonic outrages, which, ho declared, were as grave as the country’s differences had been with other nations. He was sorry to say the gravest threats against peaqo and 1 safety were uttered within our own. borders, and it made him blush to admit there ware, in tho United States, citizens born under other flags hut fully naturalised, who sought to bring the authority and good name of the Government into contempt, and who sought to destroy industries for vindictive purposes. He continued: “We made no preparation for such a contingency, and we would bo ashamed to have done so. But ugly and incredible things have come about which demand Federal laws to crush out such creatures of passion, disloyalty and anarchy. Although our various States are subjocted_ to cross currents and confused politics in a world of hostile rivalries, wa are united in spirit and cannot bo disappointed in our peaceful destiny. We never dreamed that men who were sworn to. our citizenship would malign and react against the country and tho people who nurtured and welcomed them. Foreign plotters are not numerous, but they are sufficient to bring deep disgrace upon us.” The Daily Chronicle’s Washington - correspondent says that German influences are active in the lobbies, emphasising the war’s prejudicial effect on America's shipping and commercial interests. , ■, . The Morning Post’s correspondent comments: “An American mercantile marine subject to a British Order-ia-Council is a national shame.” INGENIOUS GERMAN PLOT. TO RAISE TROUBLE IN MEXICO. (Received Dec. 9, 12.0 noon.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. Tho United States Government is believed to possess information show- . ing that the Germans made efforts to start a revolution in Mexico with the view of preventing the United States making ammunition for the Allies and compelling it to take over tho munition factories for its own use against the -Mexicans. A German named von Rinteln is known to he prominently connected with the plot. Rinteln is reported to be a special friend of the Kaiser’s.