STOP PRESS NEWS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 December 1916, Page 3

STOP PRESS NEWS

(Austral a-.\ew Zealand Cable Service) (Received This Day, 2 p.m.) UIUTLSIH GOVERNMENT'S' RJ&- ' CONSTRUCTION. Reynold's newspaper, commenting on the political situation', says:— It must not lie forgotten that after the Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George succeeded in aurainiging a .settlement of the Irish difficulty £lie Cabinet threw him mercilessly over without any real explanation; at anyrate, so for as the public was concerned. The Obesrver suggests that the Rt. Hon. H. H. Asquith may, find a way out by undertaking to supervise the general administration «nd entrusting the Hon. D. Lloyd-George with the full direction of the war and everything vitally colnicemed therewith, while the Hon. A. ißonar Law's position in the Government will be .much enhanced. The newspaper adds that the crisis I will not fail to produce (by olnle means J and another) a supreme national effort to win the wia.r, a.nd also contends that shipping and shipbuilding, unquestionably require a. Minister to themselves. Th© Weekly Despatch foreshadows the employment of Mr Asqnith's gifts in a more administrative than execu- 1 tive capacity. It was rumoured late on Saturday night that Mr Asquith possibly would resign to enable ia> new Coalition Government to be formed. The Sufnday Times asks whether th': reconstruction wil be marked by Mr Asquith's retirement, and says that at present it is doubtful; there is a strong feeling that he should remain at the head of the Cabinet, while delegating chief direction of the war more to his* j energetic colleague. This would minimise the uneasiness that any | 'Cabinet 'reconstruction/ must cause among the Allies and neutrals. THE DARDANELLES BLUNDER. The Dardanelles Commission is preparing an interim report in moderate terms which nevertheless (according to the Sunday Times) fully indicate Mr Winston Churchill's responsibility for the colnlception of the expedition. A minority report from the Commission may insist on an indc .pendemrt and more pronoulnced report. A PI? ECEIDiENCE SQUABBLE. The Daily Chronicle says that Paris newspaper information shows that the reason for the Kaiser's absence from the funeral of the late emperor was that he wished, as supreme chief of

the Gerniano-Austriamj coalition, to lead the procession ahead of the iE'mperor Charles. This was refused by the Austrian court protocol and hence the Kaiser's immediate return to Germany. IN THE REICHSTAG. Amsterdam, Dec. 3. In the Reiclustag by 253 votes to 19 the Compulsory Civilian Service Bill ivas read a third time. Herr Zimmerman announced the 'h-cek Minister had expressed the Hellenic Government's regret «t their inability to prevent the departure oF the Ministers of friendly states. AN EMPHATIC' DENTAL. Copenhagen*. Dec. 3. Britain emphatically denies the German allegation that she is seeking to secure the transit of war material to Russia t via Sweden. THE RUMANIAN 1 CRISIS. Rome. December 3. Tlie Corriere Del Serra's correspondent states that von Falkenhayn's forces in tho mountains between' Tratasylvania and Moldavia were obliged to assume the defensive, owing to the despatch of .several drviisiioins to assi-fb the advance through Walaehia. Operations on a great soale are no longer possible in the Transylvania alnd: Alts regions owing to winter conditions. Petrograd, Dec. 3. The Russian successes iirn the wooded Carpathians caused von tFalkenliayn to delay his advance, fearing that the rear would be in danger. Moreover, the Rumanians,, encouraged by the Russian attack, assumed a resolute offensive in the Buzeu Valley and threaten to descend towards Brasso. The Russian advance on the frontier of Bnkovira and 'Hungary is developing with the utmost energy.. The road' towards >Marmorsszigpt is now u/nder the fire of the Russian guns. The 'Russians overcame a. desperate German resistance at Kirlibaba and also seized 1 ' Ruiriukala height, near the rear of the enemy's position. The Germalno-Uulgar reverse at C'oinana momentarily arrested the attempt to Teach Bucharest in- that (1 irod ion. Nevertheless, a Fresh crossing of the Danube at Tirrtiikai is threatened. Meanwhile the Russo-Rumanians regard the preservation! of the Rumanian army as essential, even if it is necessary to temporarily abandon Bucharest. coal n.s.av. Sydney, Tliis Day. Further coal trouble is threatened, the engMie-drivers and winders stating that they wil refuse to resume unless they are paid the Is 8d extra daily, being the amount they lose through the eight-hour day granted to the men. THE IDUMA." (Reuter's Service. Petrograd, Dec. 3. The Duma has re-opened.. The Premier stated that Russia, never would lay down her arms tiil a complete victory H'as attailned. whatever difficulties i and temporary checks .might be encountered. The power of the enemy was shaken, but immense efforts would be required to definitely break his resistance. The Premier regretted 1 that food and transport difficulties prevailed in many localities. The Government would take measures to firmly establish order behind the armies, and it recogn ; sed the necessity for vast rail-

wayi ruction, and an increase of I production of metals and fuel, the erection of munitions factories , and I tlio development of technical ednovtion. THE KEIOHSTAG. Amsterdam, (Dec. 3. 'i'lie lieiehstag discussion c4in the Civil an Compulsion ill was lieated. tlie Socialists denouncing the enslavement of women aJnd tlie deportation of Belgians. Herr Haase-Diltmann called on the Government to restore freedom to workmen, especially Belgialns, whose deportation was contrary to Tlie Hiiigue Convention. Count Helferrcli deplored the diiscussioiij which, lie said. would have a had effect cn the tro ps at the frdmt. He asserted that forcing the Belgians to work was in accordance with international law; it was intolerable that mill' idle turbulent population should remain in the war zone.