IN THE WEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1917, Page 2

IN THE WEST.

Wool Restrictions

King Replies to Allies.

For Long Service

Official Report

AV ELLINGTON. March 15

'i'ho High Comuussoner reports irom London on March 14th at 10.50 p.m., as follows: ■ f British Official. —North of tho aiicvo valley our lino advanced over a niilo and a half south-west and west of Bapaunie.

AVo further progressed in a front of over a thousand yards south of Aehict l/o Petit, and occupied a thousand yards of trench south-east of Essarts.

A raiding party north-east of Arras did not reach our lines, and last night a party of ours raided trenches cast of Armenticros.

We effectively bombarded the enemy’s positions north of tho Somme and ea#t of Arras.

In Mesopotamia. WELLINGTON, March 15. The High Commissioner reports n» follows: Mesopotamia Official.—Our advanced detachments arc 30 miles further upstream past Baghdad. Siteps arc being taken, to prevent the flooding of the city durinf the coming rise, of tho river. The gun s captured at Kut-ei-Amara were recovered at Baghdad. \

Unconfirmed Report (Australia & N.Z. Gable Assocvition) WASHINGTON March, IS. One of the Diplomatic offices states tliait it received information that the Turkish Army in Western Persia numbering 15,000 was captured by the .Russians. Tlio report is unconfirmed elsewhere.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

London, March 14

The Press Bureau states: The King, in acknowledging the congratulation a of the Allied Sovereigns and heads of State, ou the capture of Bagdad* exprefsea his confident belief that the success and the advance of the Allies are another stage on the sjare read to victory.

(Received March 16, at 10.10 a.m.)

London, Jen 15

The Army Conned is considering introducing a distinguishing mark for soldiers who have served for long periods in the firing-line.

Brusiloff in Command.

Stockholm, March 15

It is announced that General Brnsiloff has again taken command of the Southern Russian front.

Russian Report

(Australian & N.Z. Cable’ Association and Reuter.)

London, March 15

A wireless Russian official message elates that the enemy ui->hfc attacked ar.d occupied a portion of a .trench south-west of Brzeshan. Our counterattack drove them out with great losses.

We are pressing the retreating Turks in the direction of Sakkis, approaching Bann. We occupied Kermanehak after an obstinate two days’ battle. American Shipbuilding. (Received March 16, at 10.5 aim.) New Yoke, March 15

The New York Tribune’s Washington correspondent states that the Government Shipping Board is considering the expenditure of fi'ty million dollars on the construction of a fleet of two thousand tons wooden cargo Bhipa to standardised design to counteract submariningß. Representatives of nineteen shipyards are conferring with the Shipping Board as to the required to build one thousand ships. Indian Cotton Duties [REUTER’S SEE VICE.—COPYRIGHT.] London, March 14 The House of Commons debated a resolution authorising the acceptance of India’s war contribution of £100,000,000 and the Lancastrian Amendment offering an increase to India in cotton duties. Mr Asquith moved another amendment that the increase be reconsidered after the war in connection with the fiscal relations of the Empire, Mr Lloyd George accepted the amendment. Mr Asquith’s amendment was unanimously adopted after the Lancastrian amendment had been rejected by 205 votes to 125. The House of Lords debated the cotton duties- Lord Beauchamp withdrew his hostile amendment after Lord Ourzon had assured him that the question would he revised after the war. Hides and Leather.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.) London, March 14 As a result of Australian and other representations the Government will permit ibe importation of certain qualities of Australian and Now Zealand hides and Malher, under license. It is understoodibat the prohibition was originally imposed in order to prevent the importation of inferior foreign sorts.

Submarining. WASHINGTON, March 13. The Consul at Queenstown reports that the Cunard freighter. Folia has been sunk. AVASHINGTON, March 13. It has been ascertained that all ships will be armed, irrespective of whether they carry munitions or otherwise. Tho President considers the l’russiam treaties of 1829 and 1799 bind Germany hot to sink without warning American ships carrying contraband.

Dardanelles Report.

London, March 14

Replying to Mr Aequitb, Mr B mar Law said that he would give facility for a statement on the Dardanelles report. Ha suggested Monday or Tuesday. He geggeeted that he should make a statement on the motion of adjournment to enable a debate to follow.

The Rt Hon George Lambert asked whether the House could be given the purpose for the excisions from the report without being to the public detriment.

Mr Bonar Law said that he thought all possible information should be given. A small Cabinet committee might be appointed for that purpose. He would ask Mr Asquith to assist the committee, which would be glad of his help.

London, March 1.4

Sir Stanlby informed the wool trades deputation that less wool would be imported, owing to the scarcity of tonnage. With restreied imports it would be impossible to meet Britain’s ■wool demands. All imported wool was dow used for national purposes. Government were now establishing an advisory committee to consider the whole question.

Imperial Problems. London, March 14 Lord Milner presiding at a luncheon to Morris, Premier of Newfoundland, said the guidmg principle of the new era of construction after the war, was to promote a carefnl, systematic study of the Empire’s productive capacities, also to cc-ordicate industries, with a view to making the Empire independent*. With sufficient regards to th'e vital basic industries the Empire was quite capable thereof. A special War Council of the Empire was an event of great immediate importance as far as the conduct of the war was cnncsrned, but was of greater significance as regards the future. Imperial conferences would attend Cabinets entirely devotedJo war problems, and problems arising from the war. He hoped and believed that the time had come when the supreme direction of Imperial affairs should be vested in an authority directly responsible to the constituent portions of the Empire.

With Humble Prayer.

Paris, March 14

Tbe Petit correspondent at Zurich gays there were enormous crowds an Sunday in the Berlin churches with prayers for a happy issue cf the war. The Kaiser, Kaiserine and Crown Princess attended.

FALL OF BAGDAD. Affects War Loan. Amsterdam, March 14 German newspapers have huge advertisements of the sixth war loan. • Financial circles admit that the fall of Bagdad haß occurred inconveniently but they hope General Hindenburg will secure a victory, thereby making the loan a success. Breaking Off. Tientsin, March 14 It ia stated that the Foreign Office has instructed the Chinese Minister at Berlin to apply for hia passports, and that they aie preparing pasepoits for the German Minister and Consuls in China^ Reparation Promised. Athens, March 14 Government haa promised Admiral Guiilemin to punish the crew of the Greek patrol boat who tired ehots on French torpedoer at Patras, and also the civilian who molested the French Consul.

Kermanshah Captured

London March 14 The Ruesiaua have taken Kermanshah. Imperial Conference , London, March 14 In the Hougo of Commons Mr Bonar Law said that the representatives to the lmperia; Conference would b 9 able to bring up any subject for discussion. The exact date was not yet fixed but th 6 Conference would moot very soon. Week’s Shipping Returns. [REUTER’S SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT.] London, March 14 The Admiralty reports that arrivals for the week totalled 1985 vessels and sailings 1959. Ships sunk were as follow : 1600 tons and upwards, thirteen ; under 1600 tone, four ; unsuccessfully attacked, sixteen; fishing vessels sui.L three ; and one merchantman under 1600 tons reported lastweek as su:.k has since been towed in.