UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 146001, 6 December 1917, Page 3

UNITED STATES.

PRESIDENT WILSON’S ADDRESS. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. i WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. When President AVilson addressed the Senate the galleries were packed and it was the most impressive scene since the declaration of war. He asked that war be made on Austria in order to remove an “embarrassing obstacle from our path.” America was not willing to discuss peace until Germany had produced a. spokesman whoso '.vord was reliable. The United States did not intend interference in Germany’s internal affairs, but peace must be decided by a partnership of the peoples, not merely by a partnership of governments. Congress will take immediate action to declare war on Austria. Congressmen overwhelmingly approved the President’s speech, which is regarded as a brilliant exposition of the war purposes, and has fired the spirit of democracy. Newspaper comments, so far, are unanimously favourable. FAVOURABLE PRESS COMMENTS. OK PRESIDENT’S SPEECH (Received Dec. 6, 9.5 a.m.) , NRAV YORK, Deo. 5. The New York Times says: “President Wilson’s address is inspiring and sheds the light of truth and reason on our path. It assures the Allies of America’s unwavering support. AGd assume it does not mean that America will oppose peaceable plans for a rearrangement of the Austrian Empire.” The Sun observes: “There has been a remarkable evolution in President Wilson since December 20, 1916, when he .said the belligerents’ objects were the same.” The World declares that the speech is intended particularly to impress the Russians. The Tribune remarks: “There will be vast territorial reconstructions if Germany wins. Why announce that the Allies do not contemplate reconstructions? Let us keep our Peace Conference powder dry.” Newspapers throughout the country hail the 'message as a great speech and another wedge between the German Government and the people.

UNNATURALISED AUSTRIANS. (Received Dec. 6, 9.5 a.m.) NEAV YORK, Dec. 5. It is estimated that there are now half a million unnaturalised Austrians in the United States. GERMAN PLOTTERS. AGAINST BRITISH RULE IN INDIA. (Received Doc. 6, 12.25 p.m.) NEAV YORK, Dec. 5. Lieutenant A r on Briftkcn, Gorman military attache, George Rodick, exConsul' for Germany at Honolulu, and H. Schricder, Rodiok’g successor at Honolulu, pleaded guilty at the trial at San Francisco of 34 defendant’s, including Hindus, accused of plotting the overthrow of British rule in India. The scheme involved shipping arms and ammunition to India to cerjfcain seditious natives there. Von Brinken admitted he _ was guilty in order, he said, to avoid further disclosures.