THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Per United Press Association J New Empire Order. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Jan. 6. Agitation is afoot that women should bo admitted to the new Empire Order, the membership of which does not necessarily carry a knighthood.

x * LONDON, Jan. 6. 0 Mr Massey, interviewed, said the new o honour given to Empire men might •- rightly and properly be extended to n empire women, thus recognising the ;e splendid work the women hud done throughout the war. New Zealand women of every rank « came forward* and had not failed to perform any task. io . Conference at Rome. d LONDON, Jan. 6. B Mr Lloyd George and Lord Milner, ;a with official advisers arrived at Home 0 and participated with the French and e lalian governments in an exchange of >r views upon the general situation. 8. ROME, Jan. 7th. M. Briand, Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Milne had an immense reception. The newspapers emphasise importl" auce of the meeting and declare that l 4 the conference signifies that the Ena tente is prosecuting decisive events, o d Berman Claims, k e LONDON, Jan. C. e Germany claims that slic is rapidly repairing the Roumanian oil wells, and , expects that work will be resumed in a 1 few weeks. Meantime we have captured stocks of • oil, sufficient for present needs. LONDON, Jan. 6. A German official wireless message says: —The Germans and Bulgurs captured Braila, and adds that Dobrudja is now cleared of the enemy. n Allies’ Report .t - LONDON, Jan. fith. k Sir Douglas Haig repors: V ? e sc- ... cessfully raided trenches north-cart of Arras and twice entered positions in , the neighboiu-hood of Wytschaete. LONDON, Jan. c A French communique states: There ® was lively reciprocal artilloryiug at Douaumont and Vaux. Twenty Ftencli aeroplanes bombed the aerodromes at :t Matingy, Vaucourt, Flez, and Bernes a tlie railway stations at Konilly, Atres, and Villecourt, and cantonments at 8 Roy©. LONDON, Jan. 5. The “Evening Standard” estimates that nearly fifty Americans are fighting ’ in the Allied armies. Some are millionaires and Harvard University men, including two brothers named Thaw from Pittsburg, who are 4 lieutenants in the French Army, f .uONDON, Jan. b. A French communique reports aerial bombardments on the aerodrome, railway stations, hutments, bivouacs and ammunition dumps, mostly on the Bomme front. LONDON, Jan. 6. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: We successfully exploded a mine northward of Givenchy ; and bombarded tho trenches opposite Lesboeufs, Guej court and westward of Gommecourt in the neighbourhood of Hill 60. American News. » WASHINGTON, Jan. 5. 1 In the Senate debate. Mr Lewis, a r close friend of President Wilson, de- » ’ elared that his Peace Note was intended to be taken as an indication that the United States was unable to keep out of the war much longer, i NEW YORK, Jan. 7th. Tho New York Times learns that l the Germans are forcing the civilian , population in occupied portions qf Belgium and France to do distinctly military work such as digging and preparing trendies, laying electric wires for military purposes, and preparing ground with wire entanglements. LONDON, Jan 7. [ The Govrnment has commandeered the Hotel Cecil for tho use of tho Air Ministry. LONDON, Jan. G. Mr S. F. Edge, motorist, lias been appointed supervisor of tho production of agricultural machinery ’ under the Food Controller. LONDON, Jan. 5. Under the exchange of interned civilians scheme, seven hundred Britishers are being exchanged and more than six thousand Germans. 1

/ An Incident LONDON, Jan. 5. The Times headquarters correspondent supplies the following story in connection with recent raids:—When the orders were received to prepare to leave the German trenches, a New Zealand sergeant was buried in the debris and his cries were unheard. ( After remaining concealed for two hours, lie boldly emerged and tried to find the British trenches. Ho encountered a reconnoitering patrol of five Germans. He levelled his revolver and shot the non-com, dead. The others hesitated and then .laid down their arms. The sergeant, who was reported as missing, triumphantly returned with his prisoners and was congratulated by his officer. He replied: “It was not me who caught the silly Germans. They just came along to be caught.” MELBOURNE, Jan 5 The Director of Recruiting is considering the raising of the age limit t<j fifty. It is possible they will adopt the district territorial system. LONDON, Jan. sth. The Government is preparing ilives- ? tors for the issue of a now loan. It is expected that it will be redeemable in twenty years, yielding an investor 5J per cent., or 4 per cent, free of income tax, if subscribers prefer this option.

A Conference. . LONDON, Jan. 5. The Hon. W. P. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward conferred with Mr Bonar Law on the question of Doublo Income Tax. They pressed the point that the tax should only be imposed where tho income was earned. A further conference was arranged.

A GGtning Blow.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) New York, Jan 6 Tbe New York Times Paris correspondent is of opinion the Germans will attempt a desperate blow iD the west eaily in the year. Gustav Herve warns tbe Dation to prepare for an onslaught in Febrnary. They must be ready to resist then. If it comes Liter, all the better. He anticipated a sudden attack with picked troops, heavy artillery, automobile cannon and probably tauks. It is safe to asoumo that after capiuring the first British tank the Germans began reproducing. Ho doss not think the Germans have large manoeuvring bodies. The Pope Movinp. Washington, Jan 5 Private advices state the Pope is about to appoint a Commission to renew the movement bi guu ’ by. Leo XIII for tha reunion of Christianity and cultivation of friendly relation with Aoglicana. A public announcement is expected shortly. The Federal Reserve Board estimated the national debts of belligerents have increased dating ths war by 49,455 million dollats, whereof the Allies are 29,000 millions. A Leakage. (Received Jan 8, at 9 5 a.m,) London, Jan 7 The Exchange Telegraph slates the neutral ships leaving Cardiff are allowed to take twenty-fold, as many potatoes as the crew require. It is believed the excess ia going to enemy countries. The leakage is serious.' The .Board of Trade is enquiring. Price of Oats. London, Jan 7 Mr Prolheroe at Haafcrd said -the price of oals had been fixed at 21/3 par 326ib3. Farm Laborers. London, Jan 7 The War Office is not iaking more farm laborers until the agricultural census and analysis is completed. A hundred thousands women are employed on the land and a similar number era still wanted. Peace Terms. Copenhagen, Jan 7 There ia a lively discussion ia German newspapers in connection with the Embassy’s declaration that Mr Wilson is acquainted with the German peace terms.

Ths Lokal Anzaiger and Voesische Zeitung decide that Germany has not given the terms rha is willing to lay before the Peace Conference. Excommunicated London, Jan 7 Mr W. Jeffries, writing from Athens, states that Venizeloa on Christmas Day was publicly excommunicated by the authorities of the Greek Church. Government were opposed, but the reserves forced the Metropolitan or Athens to perform the ceremony. , A gory bull’s head was placed in a square made of stones, and the Metropolitan, with averted head, pronounced an anathema. The reservists marched past shouting the anathema, t Fifty thousand men, women and children cast stones, cursing Venezelos as a traitor. Successful Hun Commander. Berlin, Jan 6 A submarine has returned to port after sinking 11 shins in 11 days.