LATE WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1917, Page 4

LATE WAR NEWS.

[PUB I’RESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] The Peace Note. ' COPENHAGEN Dec. 29 The Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Governments, after mutual negotiations, have instructed their Ministers to inform the belligerents of their agreement with President Wilson’s Note, and express their warmest sympathy will all efforts to end the sufferings, and the moral and material losses which are steadily increasing on accoiint of the war. MADRID, Dee 29. The Premier denies the statement from German sources that Spain haigiven her adhesion to the AmericanSwiss Notes. , LONDON, Dec. 29. The “Specator” consider* that President Wilson’s (League of Nations to ea. sure peace would prove about as hopeless as the Holy Alliance of 1815 PETKOG'KAD, Deoi 29. Street criers read the Czar’s Order of the Day, which was also posted on hoardings dispelling the effect of the peace agination. The great crowds were enthusiastio.

The Allies’ Reply.

LONDON, Dec. 30. The “Central News” says the Allies reply to President Wilson was expected to be ready foj- presentation at the week-end, but now there are indications of delay for several days, mainly due to the German answer to President Wilson. Also the probable German peace kite* sugesting a return to the status quo be. fore the war regarding Belgium, France and Russia are partly responsible for this postponement. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 30. The Dutch'branch of the League of Neutral Nations resolutioned that the spirit animating the, Central Powers endangers the world’s peace; the polit'cal and economic indepndence of neu tral countries, therefore the war of liberation must’ bo continued until the Allies have gained a complete vicory. This is essential in the interests pf entire humanity. BERNE, Dec. 30. The “Vorwarts” denounces the wild gambling in German shipping stocks, and accuses the slipping magnates of unloading useless shares to inflate them by the Peace rumours. MADRID, Dec. 30. The Government has informed President Wilson that it is unable to sup port liis Peace Note.

Various Views. PARIS, Dec. 29. The Nationalists and Socialist Congress hare resolutioned Germany to reply to Mr Wilson that his show of ottering to negotiate was only a bait. A second resolution declined to re sunie inemational Socialists’ relations until German Socialists defined their peace attitude. NEW YORK, Deo. 30. A cable from Paris states the Allied Note, replying to Germany, refused to enter peace negotiations unless Germany unfolds it* terms. The Allies resent this German attempt to hold them responsible for a continuance of the war, and they charge Germany with this responsibility.. The reply characterises the German Peace offer as really a war manoeuvre. It alludes to the impossibility of con. ducting negotiations with nations who treat treaties as “scraps of paper.” NEW YORK, Dec. 30. The American press interprets the Peace propaganda, particularly Count Bernstorff’s moves, as evidence that Germany is determined to give almost anything to achieve peace.' NEW, YORK, Dec. 30. The Allies insf*t on full reparation, and re-affirm thair intention that they will not separately lay down arms until the aims for which they entered the war have been achieved. DONDON, Deo, 80. The “Daily Telegraph” says the Anglo-French 'Conference is particularly important, in view of recent develop ments. Neutrals attempting mediation will leavn from the Entente’s reply, which' the conference has completely drafted

that thoir permanent interests are only . sccurable by an Allied victory. That reply will show the neutrals that 1 they need not allow themselves to be impressed by tlio present war map. i ■ I : Honored. LONDON, Dec.-29 Mr Massey receives an honorary de--1 gree from the Edinburgh University on the 12th January. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh h<.< written Mr Massey, congratulating him. upon his expressed view that it would have been better if at the outset, tbs Imperial Government had called the Dominions’ representatives to the Wav Council, which has now materialised, i The Air Board. LONDON, Dec. 29. Lord Sydenham "has resigned' fro:, the Air Board. LONDON. Dec. 30 Lord Sydenham’s resignation is duo to the Government’s decision to create an Air Ministry, thus abolishing the Air Board. Probably a Peer will be selected as Air Minister, not requiring attendance in the House of Commons. Mr Winston Churchill is also mentioned. ' The Conference. LONDON, Dec. 29. The “Spectator” says the summoning of the Overseas representatives to a War Cabinet is’fH'compara bly the greatest constitutional event in the Empire'? history. It will be the foundation of what some day will be a Federated Empire, truly laid. India’s admission to this Cabinet will pave the way to a surmounting of the Indian difficulties. LONDON, Dec. 29. The newspaper “The. Nation,” discussing the Imperial Conference, says\ »the immediate practical purpose ia harder to discern than its, national significance. The War Council is swollen to twelve apparently giving a majority to the Dominions. There are able figures among the 'Dominion premiers, but excepting Botha it is doubtful if they will bring any appreciable contribution to its wisdom. Mr. Lloyd George may look to tlio Conference as a means of committing the Empire to a prolonged war, but vicdoubt whether the colonies have a doubt whether the colonies have * peculiarly unyielding enthusiasm for 9 knock-out blow in the war. LONDON, Dec.. 30. Mr Massey says the Empire Wif Council is not tlio outcome of Peace talk, and would have been undoubtedly constituted even if the Germ an-Wilson Peace Notes had never been issued, because Mr Lloyd George’s Government correctly interpreted the feeling that the Dominions were entitled to direct representation, also the growing opinion in the British Parliament and among tlio citizens that the assistance of dominon leaders is valuable. Fire and ExplosionGENEVA, Dee. 29. There have been an immense fire and exp3osi@B in the Dresden munition

depot, which completely destroyed u suburb.

Shipping. PARIS, Dec. 10. The Chamber has authorise! a Stats advance of .eight million sterling to ship owners for the construction and purchase of ships. . iA bill was introduced to the Senate providing for the mobilisation of civilians between seventeen and sixty tfi-r organisation of national labour in France and her colonies. LONDON, Dec. SO The “Economist’” says that apart from Imperial Government borrowing: and fresh loans only sixteen million-; of new capital were raised in Great Britain in 1916. ; of which under ten millions were for industral concerns. LONDON, Dec. 29. In the by-election for scats in the House of Comoiis Sir William Collins for Derby, and Mr Christopher Johnstone for St. Andrews and Edinburgh Universities, both Coalitionists, have been returned unopposed. THE HAGUE, Dec. 29 There are reports that a Dutch horse - owners’ association has agreed to supply Germany the first draft of horses to be purchased in January.

Drink ProblemLONDON, Dec. SO. The “Daily Express” says the purchase of tho drink trade by the State is believed to be imminent, as the simpk est and easiest method of preventing the over consumption of intoxicants by the men engaged in vital national work. It will divert grain and sugar to other purposes. It is believed that such a national action will cost for England and Wales alone £300,000,000. LONDON, Deo. 29. Tho ‘Daily Chronicle” says:—lt is more definitely believed to-day that the State will shortly buy out the control of the drink trade. Though the scheme is vast and intricate the Government will be able to utilise Mr. Lloyd George’s plans laid in 1915. Mr Lloyd George then placed a complete scheme before the Cabinet on tha* occasion, but Cabinet was divided,, many leading Unionists opposing the scheme, though Mr ,'Boiiar Law and Mr Balfour supported it. . Mr. Asquith was thus forced to drop tho scheme as too controversial. Besides, the Treasury/objected to the issuing of the necessary Bonds for three hundred millions sterling because this might be prejulieial to war-borrowing-. Many temperance extremists wer--hostile to State ownership, and also helped to kill the scheme.

In Roumania. "LONDON, Dec, 29. A German wireless message claims: We stormed positions on the Transylvanian east front, and advanced far towards Dumestresti, twenty kilometres north-west of Rinmicularat. Wo advanced and captured positions between Rimniulbazauc and the river, and captured Rachel in Dobrudja. COPENHAGEN, Dec. 30. Premier Brantino, in a Proclamation announces that the Army has withdrawn for re-organisation only, and iii a few months will have her full strength and be fully equipped. LONDON, Dec. 29. A German wireless official message from the Transylvanian frontier reports that in the mountains we entered thy enemy’s positions despite strong counter attacks, and pushed ahead. General Mackensen’s army is pursuing the retreating enemy on the whole front between the mountains and the Danube. A Russian Report . LONDON, Dee. 30. A wireless Russian official message says the enemy occupied several heights at the Oituz valley, and wo conso idate:l northward of Horslia and east and south of Lasmezo. The enemy continued obstinate attacks north-west of Kimnikserat, mainly along the railway and captured Bor destshe.

He pressed us back nea r Zaiestseave but we heavily repulsed attacks southward of the Danube. Little Booty. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 29. / A Budapest message states that owing to the ltusso-Itoumanians great destruc tion of grain and petrol the booty captured by the Germans was only sufficient for the Austro-German Army There was great disappointment that none was availbale for civilians. WELLINGTON, Dec. 31.

The High Commissioner reports from London on Dec. 30th, as 4.40 p.m.,— Russian Official.—ln the Oituz valley the enemy’s persistent attacks enabled him to occupy several of our heights; In the Runnik Serat Region the enemy has occupied Bordesteni. AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY LIST. WELUNGTN, Dec. 30 The following New Zealanders appear in the Australian casualty lists: DIED FROM SICKNESS. Private Jenninon, Private Frear, MISSING. Private Hill, DANGEROUSLY ILL. Private Hughes, ' WITH THE IMPERIAL FORCES. ) DIED OF WOUNDS. Private J. F. Egan. WELLINGTON, Dec. 31.—Arrived, Maori from Lyttelton at 7.25 a.m., The Karori arrived last evening from Wallaroo.