A NORWEGIAN REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1917, Page 3

A NORWEGIAN REPORT

A Fearful Explosion at Dresden

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association)

Christiania, Feb 22

A Norwegian who has returned from Germany relates sn extraordinary story of the explosion of enormoas munition works at Dresden, hitherto suppressed,

Ho says it occurred on the 28th December.

Thirty thousand workers, including two thousand soldiers, and several thousand civilians, were killed.

The Kaiser visited the scene. the following day.

German Shortage

Rotterdam, Feb 22

Schorlinier, Prussian Minister of Agriculture, in a gloomy report to the Prussian Chamber, said he feared that potatoes and sugar planting would be still farther decreased. The supply of seed potatoes was reduced because much was used bb food.

Espionage.

New York, Feb 22

It is stated that more than fifty prominent men are concerned in a gigantic scheme of espionage.

The Federal authorities are investigating a report of food riots in New York and elsewhere engineered by one of the Central Powers.

Suffering Americans

[REUTER’S SEIIVICE.—COPYRIGHT.]

New York, Feb 22 A cable from John Martfield states - that a third of the American population have been massacred or starved sinoe the war began, and a third of the remainder are powerless and dying.

Intereeting Revelations-

New York, Feb 22

The examination of Count Bernatorff’a ship revealed that every member of the Germany party was plentifully supplied with cottOD. One Embassy secretary had several hundred Bnits of pyjamas, which will be confiscated,

The Germans had plenty of gold, which also is contraband.

Germany’s Reply.

Amsterdam, Feb 22 Berlin official—The Yarrowdale’s

• crew will be released, after Germany is officially informed that German ships in America have not been confiscated end the crews are not interned.

Wheat Prices

London Feb 22

The Daily Chronicle states Government has decided to guarantee minimum prices of home grown wheat and oats for three years after the war. Allegations are made ia some quarters of the existence of a widespread ■trike of farmers owing ta the fixing of maximum prices. It is suggested that Government ought forthwith to guarantee prices for at least five years. If this does not induce the farmers to utilise their land with .'reasonable efficiency, probably tfce 'existing order-in-council, notably the order cabled yesterday, will be suffi•cient to enable Government to compulsorily acquire the land. Potato Stocks '(Received Feb 23, at 11.20 a,m ) London, Feb 22

potato merchants assert iTtmt farmers are bolding stocks until the increased prices operate in March. They resolutioned their indignation. The Lord Mayor will appeal to Lord Devonport.