WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1917, Page 1

WAR NEWS.

appeal by eomar law.

Per Press Association. — Copyright.

For Support of Loan(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, Jan. lb. Hon Bonar .Daw, addressing a meeting of four thousand people at Glasgow made a stirring appeal to Scotchmen .o support the war loan. He had an enthusiastic reception at a huge overflow meeting. Ho referred to the great revolution in industrial life due to the necessity for increased production in consequence of the war. Old machinery and old customs were spent aw ay, and new conditions will now he in full play and rife in the country. After the war the greatest social problem of the Empire will be to secure a fail distribution of wealth without drying up the springs of wealth of the greatest nation. It depends on the conditions under which men do the work. We have not much time to think of these things now, while the house is afire, and we are fully employed in quelling the flames. Now that victory is approaching we must occasionally consider the problems of reconstruction. “I am convinced,’ said Mr Bonar Law, “that the whole future of tbs Empire depends on the establishment of good relations between the representatives af labour and capital, who were more or'less antagonistic in the old times. The gylf between classes has been lessened by the war. Every section of society, particularly the great trade unions, has sent its best to serve the country.’” Referring to his statement in Guildhall that there were other ways of obtaining money if the loan was not fully successful, lie said it evident that if the State was prepared to call citizens to risk their lives it must not hesitate to make other calls. If such steps aie necessary the amount of levy to be made upon individuals and institutions would be ou the basis of contributions already made voluntarily.

Mora Investments. LONDON, Jan.- 18. Harry Lauder has taken £50,0U0 in the war loan. LONDON, Jan. 18. Tho General Federation of Trades’ Unions has invested £60,000 new money in thejvar loan. The "Alliance Assurance company are investing £5,000,000 including conversions; 11. It. Merton £250,000; tho Manchester City Corporation £1,000,000; aud Lysaghts of Bristol £500,000, of which £300,000 is new money.

Mr Massey. LONDON, Jan. 19. Mr Massey, speaking at a dinner at the Junior Constitutional Club, saTd the war had taught the British Empire to think Imperially. If the statesmen of the United Kingdom did their duty and were -guided by tlie lessons of the past the British Empire in .fifty years would be strong enough to hold her own against any combination of nations in tho world. Now Zealand spared nothing in support of the Mother Country t and had sent more trained soldiers than the Duke of Wellington commanded at Waterloo. There never was a time when there was more justification for optimism than at present, He believed the end of the war would come soon, but whatever happened the Empire must set its teeth and go on till the enemy was broken and tho Kaiser’s armies driven back on its frontiers.

Russian War Minister

PETROGRAD, Jan. 18. General Beliareff, ex-Chief of me General Staff, has been appointed Minister of War in succession to General Sclioenvaieff.

A Oenial. LONDON, Jan. 18. The Foreign Office categorically denies the assertion in tho German Now* to neutrals that Britain in 1887 did not oppose the German claim to a rignv or way through Belgium, provided that independence was guaranteed and compensation paid for military damage. Demand for Belgium.

(Australian *fc NW, Cable Association). AMSTERDAM, Jan. 18. The leaders of the German People’s Party have demanded t-lio total annexation of Belgium, und the immediate administrative separation of the Flemish and Wallion regions. Haig’s Report LODON, Jan. 19. Sir Douglas Haig reports that we progressed at- night time northwards of Beaucourt. We bombarded tlie trenches eastward of Boisnieriner, and eastward of Ploems dert. * Tlie enemy’s artillery was active southward of Sailly-Sailliscl and eastward of Bcthuns. Artillery Activa. LONDON, Jan. 19. A French communique reports an artillery duel of considerable intensity in the Vosges, Lorraine and Soissons sectors. The rest of the front is quiet. On Swiss Border. PARIS, Jan. 18. Marcel Hut-iu says that when the peace manoeuvres failed, the enemy concentrated large forces in tlie direction of the Swiss frontier. Switzerland's mobilisation of the Second Division aims at guarding against every eventuality.

Troop Train LossesPARIS, Jan. 18. The latest casualties in tli® troop train disaster are ten killed and forty injured. The search of tlie debris continues.

The train was topping a hill when the coupling broke, and tlie momentum carried the second half over the summit. It then gathered way and dashed into the first half of the train. Many of the fifty coaches were considerably smashed.

Bulgaria’s Prisoners. ROTTERDAM, Jan. 18. The “Rotterdamsclie Courant’s” Balkans’ correspondent says that Bulgaria holds ninety thousand prisoners, including all the Allies, some Australians and Canadians. He considers the food allowances sufficient, but the Anglo-French complain of the scarceness of the diet and that the clothing is inadequate. -Prisoners are depending on the Legations for charitable commons and homo parcels.

German ColoniesLONDON, Jan. 18. There are strong comments in South Africa- at no reference being made to the German colinics in the Allies’ reply to President Wilson. It is understood the question is to be decided at the Imperial Conference. The “Cape Times” says if the omission is due to British disinterestedness and self-effacement it is mere . unetious balderdash. The Diminions will consent to restoration only if the war situation 1 cares them practically no alternative, and'even then will consent reluctantly. The war was thrust upon us, and it would he folly to gratuitously re-establish the German menace, when the war has enabled us to destroy it.

German DifficultiesAMSTERDAM, Jan. 18. German war correspondents in Roumania enlarge on the difficult conditions, especially the frost, snow and fog. All supplies in the Carpathians must be man-handled. Sinkings. LONDON, Jan. 18. The British steamer Garfield, 3838 tons has been sunk. LONDON, Jan 18 The sinkings include the Solving (2970 tons), Auchencray (3816 tons), the Danish steamer Onslr (1754 tons), and the British sailer Kiupurney (1914 tons). LONDON, Jan. 19The British steamers Manchester In. ventor of 4,47 tons and Wragby of 3641 tons have been sunk.

Postponed till MarchLONDON, Jan. 18. Mr Massey states that any permanent consultative body arising out of the Imperial Conference will be distinct rrom the High Commissioners, because tlie Dominion Parliaments would desire to have direct responsibility. Mr Massey has consented to tlie postponement of the Conference to the middle of March, at tlie request of Canada and South Africa. CASUALTY LIST.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. The Defence Department have received the following: KILLED IN ACTION. Howe, G., Second Lieut. The following previously reported missing, now declared by Court of Enquiry killed in action : Gurney, D. A., Rifleman. w DIED OF WOUNDS Rope, C. M., Corporal. Curtis, M. J-, Sergt., Murray, G. W., Trooper, Reed, R. A., Private, DIED OF DISEASE. Harvey, G. A.„ Gunner, Bills, H. T., Private. / CORRECTION: the following previously reported being sent t-o England disabled: Shocbridge, J., Corporal.