A CONTROVERSY.

(From Our Own Correspondent in America.)

I.

Yesterday President Wilson addressed a monster gathering of business men at Ponkapog. He said that it was a cruel misconception to hold that Americans were without ideals. As a matter of fact they cherished their ideals far beyond any question of making money and would die rather than submit to acts which were an outrage on our common humanity. In declaring that there was such a thing as being too proud to fight he had, of course, meant that there was such a thing as being only too proud to fight for what was just and right. This was the American attitude, and he therefore advocated national preparedness which might possibly imply such an increase in America's naval and military forces as few people except himself had yet dreamt of. At this point the audience rose en masse and cheered for ten minutes. Nothing could show more clearly than this speech how intensely critical are the relations between America and Germany over the Lusitania case. There has been a wild panic on the New York Stock Exchange. A prominent banker has expressed the opinion that Count Bernstorff will receive his passports to-morrow

II.

Count Bernstorff has not called on Mr. Lansing to-day. This is considered a symptom of the utmost gravity, and the exchange value of the German mark has receded ten points.

III.

Count Bernstorff was closeted with Mr. Lansing for two hours this afternoon. Relations are evidently strained to a very dangerous point, and the worst is feared.

IV.

The situation has appreciably improved, and the controversy has been narrowed down to the use or omission of the word "illegality." The American Government insist that Germany should admit the illegality of the torpedoing of the Lusitania, but for this Germany is not yet prepared, though she is willing to make a formal expression of regret at the death of American citizens, whom, she is ready to declare, she did not intend to destroy. Colonel Roosevelt spoke last night at the dinner of the Associated Progressive Manufacturers. He said no touch of infancy or feebleness had been omitted by the present Administration in their conduct of negotiations with Germany. They had performed the miracle of causing every true American to blush for his country. When you met a rattlesnake you didn't waste time in arguing with it or flattering it. Your duty was to shoot it or knock it on the head, or, preferably, to employ both methods in order to rid the world of a danger. At this vigorous denunciation the whole audience rose and cheered for a quarter of an hour.

V.

The situation is easier. Count Bernstorff has declared in an interview that the German Government is prepared to accept the American formula if the word "legality" be substituted for the word "illegality." Germany would thus admit the legality of the torpedoing of the Lusitania and express regret at the death of American citizens. Count Bernstorff points out that Germany has thus gone very far towards meeting the American demand. He hopes and believes that two great civilized nations will not fall out over so small a matter as the use or omission of the two letters i,l, at the beginning of a long word.

VI.

Mr. Lansing has in a polite note expressed himself unable to accept Count Bernstorff's offer as a full satisfaction of America's demands. The sands are evidently running out, and there is serious danger of the negotiations proving abortive. In the meantime a sharp Note has been addressed to England in regard to her interference with American commerce. Six munition works were yesterday blown up. The outrage is attributed to Germans. President Wilson is carefully considering his action.

THE ARMLET IN BORRIBODABOO.

The Old Man.

"

This hot spell makes me glad that I'm too old to attest

."

The "Lusitania" Crisis.

"The Vienna Correspondence Bureau emphasises the gravity of the situation, and says that the negotiations are interrupted. This interruption, it is added, is as it came from the cow."

Yorkshire Post.

Not, as you might have expected, from the Wolff.

"To prevent the eyes watering when peeling onions, let the tap drip on them. This keeps the fumes from rising, and if wanted for frying they can easily be dried in a cloth afterwards." —The Matron.

Thanks, but we hardly ever want to fry our eyes.

"The Primate had the novel and undesirable experience of being shelled by the enemy, one shell in fact bursting within twenty-five yards of him. The arrangements for this part of his visit were mostly made by the Rev. ——, C.F."—Northern Whig.

Humorous fellows, these Army chaplains.

"For Sale.—Imported, fresh arrival of Japanese Poodles, very handsome, with a long silken hair, smart, and pick up anything taught. Rs. 200 per pair."—Times of India.

"And beauty draws us with a single hair."

"What would he say to a chemist who could not translate a common tag—for example, rem tetigisti acer?"—Morning Paper.

We give it up, like the chemist.

"General (good, refined) for modern non-basement clergyman's house."—Daily Chronicle.

The reverend gentleman does not mention his ecclesiastical views; but we gather that he is not an Arian.

OUR VILLAGE ENTERTAINMENT.

Boy

(

explaining

). "

You see, Auntie, the feller that's going out has got a grudge against the other chap

."