BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16166, 21 March 1918, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

SUPREME WAR COUNCIL. IMPORTANT CONFERENCES IN LONDON. (By Cabie.—Press Association.- Copyright.) (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) . LONDON. March 19. Meetings of the Supremo War Council and important political conferences were held from Thursday to Saturday. I he Premiers of France and I tidy attended. REPORT OF WAR CABINET'S WORK. (Australian and J*.Z. Cab'e Association.) LONDON, March 19The "War Cabinet's report of its .proceedings during 1917, as contained in a JJli'.e Book of over tl'JO pages, shows that wo lent over a million tons cf shipping to Fra.ice, and half a million to Italy Referring to the anti-submarine measures, tae report states that there

are now 3400 mine sweepers and auxiliar\- patrol craft. The convoy system proved markedly effective. More than 90 per cent, of tho Atlantic shipping was convoyed. Our looses among convoyed ships was only .orf per ccut. The Admiralty believes that between 40 and 50 per cent, of tho German submarines operating in Home waters during the war period were captured or destroyed. Our total net ieduction in tonnage of shirs over 1»?C10 tons amounted to 2.730.000 tons during tho war period to the end of 1!'17, equalling Id per ccnt. A LEAGUE OF NATIONS. ;A«stralian and X.Z. Cable Association.l (Received March 21st. 1 a.m.) LONDON, March 20. In the Houso of Lords, Lord Parmoor moved a motion approving of a League of Nations, with a tribunal empowered to enforce its orders. Lord Lorebuni seconded tho motion, saying that the only alternativo was oven greater armaments than before the .war. Lord Lansdowne said that crushing an adversary could not be final. Victory in the field would only give a breathing spaco. A League t-f Nations was tho only hope for permanent relief from war. Tho debate was adjourned. The House of Commons debated the establishment of a Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, to give Parliament closer acquaintance with diplomacy. Mr Balfour (Foreign Minister) declared that the existing diplomacy was the best system yob devised. Open diplomacy was the cause of wars instead of preventing them. MISCELLANEOUS CABLES. LONDON. March 19. Replying to a deputation from the House of Lords and tho Houso of Commons, urging a general exchange of j civilian prisoners, Mr Lloyd George saicl <>s it would involve exchanging 14,000 Germans for 3000 British, the Government could not accede, on military grounds. .In order to preserve the permanent i way and rolling stock, the railway executive in April will reduco speeds to thirty-five miles .an hour, and curtail services. Tho Durham miners'- ballot, by 33,576 to 27,178, favoured the combing out of minors.

The King has received a Maori gift of £252. He allocated the money to the lied Cross. A meeting of members of tho House of Commons decided to form a Parliamentary group favourable to a League of Nations. (United Service.l (Received March 20tli, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. The Lancashiro apd Cheshire miners voted, by a majority of 15,500 1 against the Government's man-power scheme. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received March 20th, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. In tho House of Commons, Mr J. I. MacPherson (Under-Secretary to the War Office) said that the Government had decidod, with the permission of the Allies, to place "maisons de tolerance" in French towns out of hounds for British trpops. Tho Jewish units which had been i raised for tho army -would, as far as possible, be utilised in Palestine.