THE ARMISTICE PERIOD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 92, 13 January 1919, Page 5

THE ARMISTICE PERIOD

NEED FOR STRONG ALLIED FORCES ON THE,RHINE A PROGRESS REVIEW By Telegraph-Press 4«sooiatioßr-Copyrißb London, January 10. Official.—The Prime Minister has been giving careful attention to tha speed of demobilisation. He considers it his first duty to ensure that the fruits of the victory which has been won by the sacrifice of so many lives and bravo deeds are not jeopardised by apparent weakness, of Britain, . during the critical moments of; the'P&'ce negotiations. "It is' therefore; iraperstjve to maintain a strong army . on the Rhine and the necessary services behind the front' in France and at Home. Although the fighting has stopped, tie war is not over, The-German armies undemobilised are still' very powerful, and wo cannot tell what the Germans will do, or whether they will agree to the terms of peace and reparation which we seek to impose upon- them."--—Aus.-N.Z. Cable-Assn.; THE ARMISTICE AND THE ENEMY, ' (Rcc, January 12, 5,5 p.m.) (London, January 9. The Australian Press Association's correspondent understands that the Allies'? occupation of the left bank of the Rhine and three bridges were without untoward incident, but the Germans have fallen considerably short in complying with the armistice in regard to the handing over of material. 865 heavy guns, 7000 machine-guns, 1000 trench mortars, 600 aeroplanes, with 4736 engines, 130,819 trucks, and 5000 motor lorries were deficient at tha epd of the first month, Tile situation in the Balkans is difficult, owing to the serious food 'shortage along'the whole of the Adriatic coast and the interior of Austria. Food has already been sent, to Vienna under armed guard. The exact determination of the various spheres of occupation of the new nationalities in the Balkans has caused some friotign, which is now settling down. The Allies have successfully adbpted tb« principle of ocoupying the disputed localities with troops of disinterested nations, and counter-measures ; ara being taken to resume the railway con}«' munications in order to relieve the economic situation. A base for the Near ■Eastern army has been opened at Fiume, and we are sending supplies to Belgrade by this route. The Allied troops are occupying the Dobruja, pending its final disposal. The Bulgarian Administration' withdrew without disorder.

The isolated Turkish garrisons in Arabia have been persuaded ■to surrender in accord with the armistice, and all except the garrison ,at Medina haws now laid down their arms. Fukri Pasha is holding out at Medina, but the Allies have informed Turkey that they will destroy the Dardanelles forts unless Medina complied with the armistice. A" British forcb has intervened in the Caucasus in order to compel a Turkish evacuation, and prevent fighting between the Georgians, Armenians, and others. Comparative quiet now reigns, and Turkish atrocities, burning, pillaging, and other excesses have ceased. A Sritish mission, has proceeded to the northern Caucasus to assist the authorities to quell civil disorders.—Aus.-N.Z., Cable Assn.

THE ARMISTICE RENEWAL. (Rec. January 13, 1.30 a.m.) London, January 10. The Admiralty states that ViceAdmiral Browning will represent Sir Rosslyn Wemyss «t the- meeting- for the' renewal of the armistice.—Aus.-N.Z,-Cable Assn.-Reuter. - '