HONORING GENERAL SMUTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1917, Page 2

HONORING GENERAL SMUTS.

Future of Africa. [REUTER’S SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT.) Capetown, Feb 12 General Smuts was accorded a civic reception on his return from East Africa. Business was suspended, and he received a magnificent welcome. Five thousand persons assembled at the city hall, including Hon R. Buxton and General Botha, members of the Cabinet and hundreds of wounded soldiers. Addresses were presented on behalf of the city, and also from British Indians. General Smuts, replying, emphasised that South Africa has secured a voice in the disposal cf the African Continent,

-South Africa has pegged out her claims, thereby establishing rights regarding the future development of the Continent.

He hinted that there was still a possibility of General Botha attending the War Council.

New York, Feb 12

The United Press Berlin correspondent at Berne states Germany is delaying permission for other Americans to leave, for fear of possible retaliatory measures in the event of America declaring w..r. Grave Disorders. Rome, Feb 12 Grave disorders have broken out in Leipzig. The city is isolated. Minor Successes. (Australian & N.Z, Cable Association and Reuter). London, Feb 12 A French communique records minor successes, including two coups de main in Argoune sector and Hill 304 respectively, wherein prisoners were takeD. A French air squadron bombed the railway stations at Venay, Dunßurmeusfi and Athies. German Attack Stopped. (Admiralty per Wireless Press) London Feb 12 Russian official—The enemy, under cover of a snow storm, attacked northward of Kiselin and penetrated our trenches, but were driven out, The enemy crossed the ice on the Dniester, and pressed back our field posts. We counter attacked, regaining the position.

Prisoners in Turkey.

[LONDON TIMES SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT.)

London Feb 12

In the Commons, Mr Hope, on behalf of Government, said Turkey had repeatedly refused to allow the American Ambassador to visit the camps in which British prisoners were interned. Government believed the condition of the officers were tolerable but the condition of th 9 men were deplorable. They were making efforts to obtain an improvement. Sunk. (Received Feb 13, at 10.10 a.m,) London, Feb 12 The British steamer Netherlee, of 4227 tone, has been sunk. Coal Shortage. Copenhagen, Feb 12 The coal famine throughout Denmark is severe, and the strictest economy is being enforced. Some cities have stopped supplies of gas and electricity. The situation is also acjute in Norway, but it is anticipated that the first loads will arrive in the spring from the Spitzbergen mines, which contain five million tons, An Austrian Attack. (Received Feb 13, 3t 11.35 p.m) Rome, Feb 12 The Maasagero Bays the Austrian attack began in brilliant moonlight at three in the morning on a five kilometer front between San Marco and Santa Caterine. The defenders evacuated th 6 front trenches and after half an hoar delivered a massed counter attack with the bayonet. The majority of the Austrians in the trenohes were killed in furious hand to hand fighting whieh lasted till dawn. The Austrians employed picked troops. The Italiaa ossea were comparatively slight. China’s Attitude (Received Feb 13, at 10.35 a.m.) Tokio, Feb 12 It is announced that Japan will not endeavor to prevent China from supporting United States. The Pekin correspondent of American papers says that China has beon anxious to enter the war ever since the outbreak, but has been prevented owing to BtroDg pressure from Japan. Submarined. (Received F ' 1 at 1.5 p.m.) i.oNDON, Feb 12 The Greek steamer, VasilissaoJga, of 1400 tons, has been suuk. The crew were landed,

German Report. (Australian &N,Z. Cable Association and Reuter), (Admiralty per Wireless Press). London, Feb 12 - German We repulsed English attacks eastward of Atmentieres and southward of La Bastes Cana 1 , We repulsed six night attacks between Serre and Ancre, the assailants wearing snow shirts, there being heavy lcsseß in a hand to hand fight. We evacuated the trenches southeast of Serre, before the English attacked. We advanced at Duena Kiselin. Turkish Report. Amsterdam, Feb 12 , Turkish offieia!—We repulsed British attacks at Kut on Saturday morning with heavy losses. Subsequently the enemy penetrated our trenches, but all the positions were retaken.

At three on Saturday afternoon we repulsed a strong British a'tack with heavy losses souih of Like Doiran. Note—The British Mesopotamia official, cabled on the 11th referred to Saturday's events.

Willing to Negotiate

(Received Feb 13, at 11.25 a m.)

Washington, Feb 12

The State Department admits that Germany is willing to negotiate with United Siatep, if the commercial blockade of Britain is not interrupted. United States in reply, states she will willingly disousa any question if Germany withdraws her U boat decrees. Official Report Wellington, Feb 13 The High Commissioner reports, London lltb, at 815 p,m.:— From Mesopotamia—Daring the night of the 9th we repulsed four Turkish attacks on our right.

Oq our left our position has been further improved.

On the tenth our hold of enemy trenches was rapidly extended by a heavy bombardment and aisaulfc. We captured 500 yards of trenches and the liquorice factory at Kut. To the right we steadily progressed.

We have a new line over a frontage of more than 6000 yards, the enemy being pushed back 800 to 1,200 yards.

There have been heavy Turkish casualties.

Courts of Blood

London, Feb 8

A Pole who has arrived in Holland says that tyranny, blocdshed, horror, fines, espionage, and imprisonment exist in Warsaw. German “Courts of Blood” are trying and condemning civilians on the slightest pretext. Firing parties are always busy. Many innocsut peoplo are olain. There are wholesale labor deportations towards Germany. Officers seize the prettiest girls and women as concubines, The utmost misery and hunger prevail throughout Poland. The poorest people are eating dogs. The country has been stripped bars of.metals and cloth stuffs. Even furniture has been taken. Epidemics are raging, but nevertheless the spirit of the people is unbroken. They are determined to resist the brutal invader to the uttermost. Aiming the BlowLondon, Feb 8 General Groner, Chief of the German War Department, has ordered that munition works be driven at maximum speed, He has closed other industries, and is mercilessly refusing to hear protests, declaring that the army has no time to argue, that it must have Blielle.

In Paris experts are divided in their opinions as to the praotioabilifcy of a German offensive in the west, especially against the British line, which is extremely deep. The former editor of the Temps, who is now attached to General Foch’s staff, predicts an early German offensive, owing to Germany’s internal condition.

The Germans boasted that they wero not going to spend the winter in Rumania, and they have removed their troops from Romania westward. Despite ice, buow. and fog, ihe German Staff is feverishly preparing, Hindenburg has no intention of not using hi 3 forces whilßt the grip of famine increases.

Petrograd is confident that Hrodenburg’s attempt to outflank and roll up the Russc-Roumanians has collapsed. Hiudenburg’a main gains from the Balkan offensive are the security of the road to Constantinople',*and saving Hungary from invasion. London commentators think that Hindenburg will attempt one enormous offensive, endeavoring to hold fast eisewhdre. Whether this is coming in Russia, Italy, the Balkans, or France it is impossible to suggest, but Germany’s past policy has beau to attaok the least prepared enemy. Protesting | Copenhagen, Feb 12 The Scandinavian Governments have agreed on the terms of a joint reply to Germany protesting at the submarine blockade being againßt international law.

Earning a VC It

(Australian & N Z. Cable Association and Reuter,) Amsterdam, Feb 12 The Press Bureau states that a Victoria Croes has been awarded Sergeant Thomas Mottershead of the Flying Corps, who was attacked at an altitude of 9000 feet, his tank was pierced and the aeroplane enveloped in flames. Though suffering extreme torture from burns he showed conspicuous bravery and presence of mind and skill in selecting a landing place. He brought his machine back to the lines with wonderful enduiance and fortitude (hus saving his observer’s life. Mottershead subsequently succumbed to bis iDjaries. Comparisons [jBEUTEa’S SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT.] Amsterdam, Feb 12 In view of the submarine blockade the Board of Trade figures show that the import of foreign aud colonial corn to the United Kingdom last week are particularly interesting, namely—wheat 2,706,200 cwt, maize 1,069,300 cwt, compared with 1.111,800 cwt, and 495,830 cwt respectively for the same wetk last year. Hard to PleaseAmsterdam, Feb 12 The Berliner Lokal Arzsiger attacks Ambassador Gbrard for not placing Germany's difficulties fairly before America and adds if he had been less friendly to the Entente the America-German relations would not have been broken off. Of Heal Importance. Paris, Feb 82 The newspapers are paying attention to the British advance, characterising it as of real importance. They suggest British should definitely ascertain whether the German retirement is wholly forced or repre- i sente some new tactical device. <

An Appointment

[LONDON TIMES SERVICE. COPYRIGHT.]

Paris, Feb 12

The Times states that the Duke of Connaught hes been appointed Inspec-tor-Genera! of Oversea Troops.

War News in Brief.

London, Feb 7 The Government ha 3 requisitioned the Automobile Club. During January Denmark lost nine steamers, valued at 10,000,000 kroner (about £500,000). Darin" the war 82 vessels, worth 70,000,000 kroner (nearly £4,000,000) have been lost. The leading Geiraan newspapers publish an article by Dr Manes, apparently issued from the Berlin publicity bureau, analysing the Australian referendum, and saying :—“ Australia has produced some strange things during peace, but nothing ftranger thßn these statistics of war-weariness, for what can the figures mean except that Australia is against the continuance of the war.” Reuter’s correspondent at Amsterdam states that after a visit to German headquarters, Karl of Austria visited the King of Bulgaria, and handed him the baton of an Austrian field-marshal, after which ha continued his, journey to Vienna. Mr Henderson, one of the members of the War Cabins’, in a speech at Norwich, said that the drawn war theory was unwarranted, becauee there was no time limit when an offensive could be leunebed. Tbe nation would find its faith in the Briiis’a Army’s skill, courage and determination abundantly justified. Glasgow Demagogue Doties Law. London, Feb 7 The Minister of Munitions states that Kirkwood (a Glasgow demagogue) carried cut bis threat to return to Glasgow in defiance of the law. His re-arrest ha 3 bean ordered. The department adds, regarding tha arrest of ten ringleaders of several Strikes deliberately calculated to delay the output of heavy guns that were nrgently needed, that a full civil and military invastigatiou waa held. Nine of the men were deported, as they refused quietly to return to work. Four have since returned, givieg promise of future good conduct. “Kirkwood,” the Ministry says, “ was given u oimilar opportunity, but ha refused. He can return to Glasgow at aay time on giving the required undertaking.” The Ministry concludes Clyde workers are patriotic and lawabiding, while these men deliberately fostered discontent.” (Kirkwood waa deported from the Clyde. He appeared at the recant •Labor Congress, and in an iDfluama* tory address attacked Mr Henderson, and declared that every man who objected to Mr Lloyd George’s policy was deported from Glasgow.” New Zealand Share of Cost of War. Wellington, Feb 13

New Zealand’s expenditure on the war to the end of December was £14,627,752, including £6,687,288 pay allowances ; £3,111,754 for transport of troops ; £1,722,003 for equipment.

Britain’s Supreme Effort.

1 London, Feb 8 The schemes of the Government foi overcoming the crucial difficulty oi finding enough labor for shipbuilding! k tbe army, monition making, and agriculture have been announced. They 1 are based on voluntary offers of men 1 of all ages to place themselves at the 1 disposal of the nation. Every man will be soon asked to filll up a lettercard stating bis present employment his capacity and his desires. Commissioners presiding over seven recruiting areaß will distribute the volunteers paying a subsistence allow-

ance of 17/5 per week while absent from home, thus securing the maximum output and releasing junior's for the army. Colonel Sir Neville Chamberlain (Director-General of National Service) intends later to call upon womeD. Meanwhile a section of the press denounces the scheme as “ playing with voluntaryism.” It is pointed out that the German compulsory civil mobilisation is already in operation. The position is most rerious in the shipbuilding trade, where the maximum effort is essential in ordsr to make up our losses through submarines. German commentarers have la:ely agreed that Germany’s hope of victory is an eleventh-hour triumph snatched by cutting British sea communications. The Government's policy includes the scientific distribution of labour, whereby shipbuilding and agriculture will be enormously increased. Experts point out that 2,000,C00 tons of new steamers can be turned out in a year. After fulfilling its pledge to try voluntaryism the Government is not likely to stop short of placing all men at the disposal of Sir Neville Chamberlain whilst sendmg ail fit mea to the front, in a great effirt to win the war this year.

France’s Efforts

London, Feb 8

Messages from Paris refer to the feverish preparations of the Allied countries. They declare that France’s last man is ready, while Italy has brought up her arm to the maximum whilst the pooling of all resources, which was arranged at the Remo conference, enabled a general reduction of importations and the economical use of shipping. Meanwhile raids on a large Hoale on the west front are securing tactical advantages and shaking the enemy’s Derve. The French particularly appreciate the sporting character of the British Raid, Lord Sydenham, in tbe Sunday Times, says that a simultaneous offensive by the Allies may be unattainable, owing to the varying degrees of readiness of the various armies and th 9 differences of local conditions.

The Observer emphasises that the speeding of tbe production of munitions and ships is as important as military success.