BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16150, 2 March 1918, Page 9

BRITAIN'S PART.

NEED FOR MEN. IMPORTANT MAN-POWER. CONFERENCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Received March Ist, 9.130 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. Tlie Press Bureau states that Mr Lloyd George, Mr George Barnes (Labour member in the War Cabinet), Sir Auckland Geddes (Director of National Service), and Mr G. H. Roberts (UnderSecretary to the Board cf Trade) are conferring ivith the Amalgamated Society of Engineers' delegates. The conference is in connexion with the refusal of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers to accept the Government's man-power proposals. MUNITIONS PROGRAMME MODIFIED. (®y Cab]©. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March Ist, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. In the House of Commons Mr F G. Kelleway (Under-Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions) said that the modification of the munitions programme would involve the partial closing of certain munition works. The Government hoped to transfer the displaced workers to other suitable work. THE LATE GENERAL MAUDE. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received March Ist, 8.30 p.m:) LONDON, February 28. In the Houso of Commons the Speaker read a message from his Majesty, paying a tribute to the. late General Maude's services in Mesopotamia, and recommending tho House of Commons, as a recognition thereof, to grant Lady Maude £25,000. This statement was loudly applauded. A vote is to bo moved on Monday. THE BOLSHEVIK ENVOYS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March Ist. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. When M. Litvinoff (Bolshevik representative in London) and his staff arrived at the so-called Russian Embassy office in Victoria street they found the doors barred and all plates removed. The landlord's agent opened the door, but prevented Litvinoff from entering. He offered to refund the rent for the unexpired portion of the tenancy, but Litvinoff refused. The agent informed Litvinoff that the furniture must be removed. Sir George Cave (Home Secretary), in the House of Commons, replying to questions, said that M. Litvinoff could not bo allowed to circulate revolutionary literature in munition works. He added:—e shall continuo diplomatic relations with Russia. M. Litvinoff came, not as an Ambassador, but to engage in revolutionary propaganda. If he had been an Ambassador he could not have remained ten minutes. He issued a manifesto of such a nature that many copies havo been seized. He also conversed with British soldiers, but will not be allowed to do so again. He has "now given a promise not to engage in propaganda. If that promise is broken he will not be allowed any further indulgence." M. IvamenefF's position was the same. He came as the Bolshevik envoy to France, but the Frcnch Government did not allow him to land. The only course, therefore, was to send him back to Russia. The Government refused to allow Ivameneff to address a meeting, and lie had decided to ask for an Order-in-Council preventing aliens from addressing meetings and indulging in propaganda. These foreign envoys came to recommend Bolshevism, which had brought Russia to her present condition. Sir George Cave ridiculed the idea that British workmen would listen to such doctrines, but the Homo Office was bound to take steps to prevent such propaganda, which was causing unrest among the Russians in the British army, and in the East End of London, or those engaged in munition works. 51. Litvinoff denies the assertions made by Sir George Cave in the House of Commons, and that he used the aliases Einkelstgin and Buchanan. He says that he has protested in tho strongest manner to the Government, a-nj

especially against a Cabinet Minister spreading false information. ■ Ho declares that the Russian people will regard Sir George Cave's action as n gross insult, which may lead to grave consequcnees. Kamoneff was not allowed to cash a chcque for £5000 sterling. He returns to Petrograd forthwith. France is refusing him admittance. • IN SOUTH AFRICA. disc;ruxtled nationalists. (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received March Ist. 5.30 p.m.) CAPETOWN. February 23. The Assembly adopted General Botha's motion by 7S votes to 22. granting- General Smuts leave of absence. The minority consisted of Nationalists. The Premier emphatically declared that South Africa was an integral part of the Empire and said that the Nationalists must either flo their duty or establish a Republic. He himself intended to stand by the Empire and do his duty.