THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Per United Press Association] Post War Conditions (Australia & N.Z. Cable Associition) LONDON, Jan. 14th. A joint committee to consider postwar labor problems was appointed by the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress and other labour organisations. It anticipates the discharge of between six and eight million Government employees, representing nearly half the wage-earners of tlio United Kingdom. Between two and three million of whom ill be discharged within throo months of peace. Concerning demobilisation, the calculations are that the rate of disbandonmont will not excood five thousand daily. It urges the Government to make the same provision for discharged munition workers as for discharged Nioldiers. The trades unions should be entrusted with finding them new situations. It suggests drastic reform in employment exchanges.

Mere Kultur AMSTERDAM, Jan. 14th. Many deported Belgians have been sent back emaciated and dying, and unable to continue working in Germany on low rations. They tell terriblo stories of hardships and ill treatment. Munitions. BERNE, Jan. 14 Over a thousand Austro-German guns on the Roumanian front have been returned to the workshops. The campaign there accounted for the entire ouput of the German munition factories for two months.

A Russian Report. LONDON, Jan. 14 Wireless Russian Official.—Wo repulsed a German dense attack south of Ha but Lake. The enemy attacked from tlio Romtumikkali on the Sereth as far as Vedens. We abandoned Komtumikhali. German Report. LONDON, Jan. 14. Wireless German official.—German grenadiers entered a Russian position at several points north of Goldonbystrit zer, inflicting severe losses. Wo stormed and captured a summit southward of Oituz Road. Unfavorable weather restricted General Mackensen. Wo repulsed an advance on the Serethe, north-west of Braila. Hostile attacks between Vardar and Lake Doiran were unsuccessful. Sunk by Russians PETROGRAD, Jan. 14. A Russian squadron on the 6th raided the Anatolian coast and sank forty Turkish sailers laden with provisions for Constantinople. Denmark's Position. COPENHAGEN, Jan. 14~ At the opening of tlio Storthing the King’s speech said that the Government had earnestly endeavoured to maintain strict neutrality, but owing to the conflicting interests of the belli-, gerents disagreements could not be avoided. It suggested the appointment of a committee to assist the Government in regard to foreign affairs. The newspapers state that the reference to disagreements caused a great sensation. An Acute Position. New York, Jan 15 The New York Times Kays, coupled with the admission of the practical failure of the German potato crop, comes reports of gross mismanagement of the Pood Bureau, grafting and ex. tortion, indicating that despite the food spoils from Roumania, the Empire is faciDg the aoatest food problem.

Interna! Germany. [LONDON TIMES BERVICE.—COPYRIGHT.] London, Jan 15 Civilians who hava arrived in England from Germany stats the conditions at Ruhleben hava improved; The Germans are no longer orrogant and boastful. Germany's poverty ia strikingly revealed by tha changed attitude. Children who were formerly insolent, now linger outside the compound and eagerly snatch particles of food that the English throw oat.

THE MAN WiiO WORKS.

Doing Things. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Jan 16, at 8.40 a.m.) London, Jan 15 Hon Lloyd George is rapidly improving the Clearing House for Cabinet business, which has absorbed the former War Committee of Imperiul Defence, enabling Maurice Hankey to become Secretary to Cabinet, with several military civil assistants. This is essential as Hon Lloyd George, Lord Curzon, and Lord Milner have no departments with ordinary machinery for transacting business. Hon Lloyd Goorga has also enlisted the services of such men as Philip Kerr, the editor of the “ Table,” and Professor Adams, the Oxford economist to work under his immediate direction.

Annoyed Amsterdam, Jan 14 The Cologne Yolks Zeitnng says the Allies peace terms amount to a fresh declaration of war. We are again summoned to fight for our freedom. Let us show the wo.id we are worthy of our fathers.

A REPORTED AOMlSblOfi-

Of Crushing Defeat. (Australian &N.Z, Cable Assooiation) (Received Jan 16, at 10 25 a-m.) New York, Jan 15 A despatch of W. B. Hale from Berlin, printed in the New Yoik Americau, states Hale had an intimate conversation with a leader in the highest political position, who stated “ What is it the war weary world wants? Peace with recrimination now, or a possible peace mariy years later, with Germany oiushad. The League of Ten is momentarily triumphant and Europe's whole political, map will be the chess board for complicated ambitionß and sanguinary struggles during a hundred years to oome." The faot that the oeaeor passed the report is an admission of the oruehing of Germany. It is the first open indication of tho despair of tbe Kaiser’s statesmen, and that Germany in on the threshold of defeat, and mast have a quick peace, to prevent a debacle.

Russian Report. (Admralty per Wireless Press.) London, Jan 15 Russian official—A report states the Roumanians attacked to the heights in the region of Kasmo river, after violent bayonet fighting threw back the enemy a verst, to the southward. Russo-Roumanians repulsed an offensive in the same region and pressed tbe enemy back two versts eouth-

wards. We withdrew slightly northwards in Vedeni region. We repulsed with great losses, “several attack north-east of Poaaani. French Report(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter), London, Jan 15 A French communique states there was fairly great nrtillerying at Ancre, and between Ai3ne and Argoune, - Bad weather in Macedonia has caused numerous -floods and heavy snow storms in Rake and Prespa region. Italians renuhed enemy, attacks on a munition depot north of Armaeua. Engagements south of Lake Oehrida, particularly at Yeliterna, where an Indo-Chinese dat&ohment fought. Another detachment slightly progressed beyond Sueti.

Repatriation. Melbourne Jan 16 The Federal Cabiuet has agreed to the appointment of a central authority to control repatriation. It is understood Mr Hughes intends to appoint a Director of Repatriation War Loan Appeal. Melbourne, Jan 16 The Treasurer in appealing for subscriptions to the war Iran, announced that Government requires eighteen millions for war purposes. The estimated private wealth of Australia is a thousand million.

Military Medal(Received Jan 16, at 10.15 a.m.) Sydney, Jan 16 Mrs Calverl Atkinson has been advised that her son, Sergeant T. Atkinson of the New Zealand Engineers, has been awarded a military medal. Escape to Holland. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association)

Paris, Jan 15 An extraordinary exploit of 103 inhabitants of Lic-ge, who escaped into Holland is reported. They got possession of an old tug and drifted during the night down tha swollen Meuse, despite ail sorts of obstacles including cables across the river. The pilot was protected by armour plating the passengers remaining below and they thus escaped the machine gun fire by German sentries.

Three ArrestsNew York, Jan 15 Three arrests have been made in connection with the Hoskill explosion. New Zealand’s Ministers London, Jan 18 At Han W. F. Massey’s instance Government have remitted the duty on jam, sugar and rations for New Zealand troops ; also the doty on tea and sugar for the hospital ships. Sir J. G. Wild addressed a large meeting at Bournemouth on the resources of New Zealand and the part she has played in the war. The decision for the War Conference to meet in February has given satisfaction in Colonial circles. There is reason to believe that General Botha will be able to attend, and it is still hoped that Australia will be suitably represented.

Interned. [REUTER’S SERVICE. COPYRIGHT.] Flushing, Jan 15 A Dutch warship brought in a German submarine found iD Dutch territorial waters. It will be interned.

carman Report.

(Australian & N.Z. CaV.e Association and Router.) (Admiralty Ptr Wireless Pies?.) (Received Jan 16, at 11.30 a.rnj * London, Jan 15 German official- Ye re pulsed strong Russo-Roumaniao attacks northward of Susita Valley. An Italian Report L;ND n, Jan 15 Italian official —There is increased enemv artillsrymg in Carso eastward of Goritzia. 400 Lost. [LONDON TIMES SERVICE.—COPYRIGHT.] London, Jan 15 The Japaneae battle cruiser Tsukuba blown up at Yokosuka, had 400 casualties.

Thß Czars View Paris, Jan 15 Admiral Fournier writing in the Matin regarding his visit to tbe RussoRoumaDian front says tbe Czar told him that in a few weeks, tbe Balkans would assume a different aspect. Fournier anticipates that the enemy will be mastered and his progress stopped by cold and exhaustion, while the increasingly heavy losses will paralyse bis efforts towards Salonika.

War Bounty (Received Jan 15, at 10.55 a.m.) London Jan 15 The Prize Ooart awarded £5,500 Rterling bounty to ships, including the New Zealand, participating in the ■inking of the Blucher.

Shipbuilding London, Jan 15 The Manchester Guardian states Mac Lay has ordered, on behalf of the State, thirty-six standardised merchant steamers of 9000 tons. In Greece. London, Jan 15 A Daily Telegraph message from Athena states with the acceptance of the Entente’s ultimatum there is high talk of collapse. Even the rabid newspapers are publishing laudatory pro-Entente articles. Their volte face insists that King Constantine’s policy will be to enuea7or to regain our good will in order to be in a better position to stab us if the opportunity aii&es.

Noteworthy Paris, Jan 15 Marcel Hutin points out that Austro-Hungarian communiques for the first time for six months refer to the fighting south of Okhrida. Ha suggests there has been a transference nndfr General Falkeahayn from the Roumanian front. An Apostla of Peace. (Received Jun 16, at 1.40 p.m.) London, Jan 15 The Nord Dsutscher Alggemeine Zsitnug states the Kaiser’s letter to Count Hollweg on October 31st proves an honest desire for peace. He wrote — It is clear our enemies’ peoples, caught by tbe war position, are supported by lies and deceit. They do not possess a man, able or firm enough to speak to liberate the world. The making of. peace proposals requires a ruler wit*?, a conscience, realising that he is> responsible towards God, with a heart. now strengthened for his owaand hostile peoples, a ruler inspirsd by a de--sire to deliver the world from its sufferings, unmindieg a possible wronginterpretation. I’ve the courage to do. it and will venture, relying upon God,,

Bavaria’s Opinion. London, ian l£T. The King of Bavaria sent a despatch* to the Kaiser wherein he declares that indignation which has been aroused in the Kaiser’s heart by the enemy’s arrogant reply to the Peace Note, is echoed in every Bavarian breast. Socialist Leader Sentenced. Zurich, Jan 15 Herr Liebknecht has now been sentenced to 4| years hard labour and. expulsion from the Berlin bar. Russian Politics. Petrograd, Jan Prince Nicholas Dimitrieveoh' Golitzino’a announcement of the programme in the Novoe Vremya,, stating he does not iutend to resist the introduction of responsible Government bßs caused surprise. The Russkoe Slovo etatea Anokrowsky Pokroweky Bark and Taniefi), chief of the Emperor’s own Cabinet who resigned with Trepoff declaring it was impossible to co-operate witls Propoff.

Lithuania’s Condition. Pkirograd Jan 15 Germans have introduced compulsory labour in Lithuania for trench digging. A protest meeting at Vilna resulted in a punishment levy of a million roubles, although many Lithuhnians are dying from starvation. The town is placarded with invitations to volunteer for the German Army.

BRITAIN’S WAR LDfIN-

Great Success Assured. Lois don, Jan 15 Subscriptions to the great war loan are pouring in. Although the Bank closed at the usaal hoar, the Bank of England’s loan offire was open yester* day until aix, There wao a steady stream of investors all day long, testi-

fying to the eagerness to help the country in its hour of crisis, tuna suggesting a widespread inspiration to secure a far larger number of individual subscribers, than was the case in preceding loans,

The newspapers emphasise that while Germany is unable to touoh us ia most things, she has certainly beaten us in the number of small subscribers to her various loans.

Happily the London Bank managers and clerks yesterday reported that they never knew a time when calls on their aptitude for rapid, concentrated business, were so numerous. There are oplendid reports from every part oE the Kingdom.

The Pope’s Attitude. (Received Jan 16, at 9.30 a.tn,) Rome Jan 15 Replying to thß Central News, a high official of the Vatican stated the Holy See’e attitude was unchanged. It continues to observe scrupulous neutrality but the Pope was unable to refrain from examining the belligerents war methods. It was impossible to avoid the conclusion that Germany’s and Austria’s unwarrantable atrocious acta far exceeded anything whereof the Entente wire guilty. The Pope felt he must show some consideration to Emperor Francis Joseph who deoarvsd well of the Church, but ho sees no reason to tolerate the crimes committed ia the new Emperor’s name. The Bafa Captures Wrllinoton, Jan 15 The High Commissioner reports JaD 14th at 6 p.m. — An Egyptian official report says the total captures at Rafa on Tuesday were 1602 prisoner?, four Krupp mountain guns, seven machine guns and a quantity of other material.