THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Per United Press Association)

AMERICANS TO WITHDRAW

No Faith in Germany’s Word

Washington, March 25

The State DepartmaE announces that it has instructed Whitlock aud all diplomatic Consular ogenvs to withdraw from Belgium and reei !e in Havre; also all American relief workers.

Government appreciates the seriousness of the step taken afti r the fullest consideration following Germany’s Bioking of a relief ship which was a flagrant violation of the pr< raises made to America,

It adds that although a verbal promise has been made to tbe Relief Commission that it could leave when it desired, Germany's observati n of other undertakings is not such as to justify America to leave her citlz ns in the ocoupied territory.

America’s Shortage

Washington, Marcb 23

In view of the rerious ahorttg of the personnel, the Navy Department has recalled available retired officers for service but thousands of sa*lers are lacking. Cadets ia tbe Naval Academy are graduating before completirg tbeir course.

The Department is seeking to speed up destroyer construction, bat it is admitted that a year or fifteeu months is required before much can bo accomplished.

A Bad Harvest

Rome, March 23

Herr Helfferiob privately told tbe Ministerialists that the 1917 harvest was very bad, but the war would be decided before August. Meat Resources. (Received March 26, at 9 40 p.m) London, March 25 Government has appointed a Committee under Lord Devonport, to coordinate and organise home and imported meat resources for the Army and civil population,

A German Move

Berne, March 25

Despite Anglo-French warning?', Germany is enforcing threats of reprisals. A large number ot prisoners have been sent to the wft zone. The International Red Crops ia endeavoring to induce Germany to cancel the movement.

A Wounded Prince(Received March 26, at 8.40 a,m.) Paris, March 25 King Alfonso telegraphed to Leopold, of Prussia, that Prince Friederich Carl received a serious bullet wound in the stomach during his recent aerial flight. Wanton Destruction. Petrogkad, March 25 Germans pillaged ami ignited many Roumanian villiges and parts of the towns of K&lawaacb, Djardgino and Orsova. Children were murdered, women outraged and churches profaued. German ThreatZurich, March 25 Several German papers affirm that on the firing of a shot on a submarine from an American steamer, Germany will declare war.

Unable to Exist Zurich, March 25 The Vorwaerts dealing with the food situation, says it is impossible to exist on the bread allowance, which is now reduoed to two hundred grammes. War Risk. New York, March 25 T6n million dollars insorance has been placed at Lloyds against damage to buildings by air craft and naval bombardments, should America go to war. The premiums are one half to one per oent. Danger Zone Extended. [REUTER’S SEBVICE.—COPYRIGHT.] Christiania March 25 Germany has notified Norway that the danger zone now includes tbe waters between the northern coast of Norway and Spitsbergen. Obviously this ia aimed at the Archangel routes. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.) Washington, March 25 Ambassador Page has cabled that apparently the Hermans have extended the limits of the dangerous area to include practically all European waters, starting oa Ist April. The danger area will comprise all with the exception of Danish and Netherland territorial waters.

Canadian Railways

Ottawa March 25 A Board of expert commissioners recommended the nationalisation of Canada's trans-Con»inental lines, excepting the Canadian-Pacific. They propose building up a great system to compete with tho Canadian* Pacific.

Envor Pasha.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

and Reuter)

(Received March 26, at 10 25 a.m.) London, March 25

An official report from Berlin states Enver Paßba has arrived at German headquarters aEd conferred with the Kaiser and General Hiudenburg.

Suffering Macedonia. Corfu March 25 A correspondent forwards an authoritative statement of tbe investigation of conditions in liberated Macedonia which reveal ghastly Bulgarian atrocities. Police powers were placed in tbe hands of iooal authorities, who proceeded to massacre over a wide area. Mayors, school teachers and nunurcus others were killed with bayonets. One was burned alive. The committees blackmailed and plundered all Glasses.

Russian Exiles

Melbourne, March 26

The Russian Consul General has received instructions to render tbe fullest assistance to Russian political exiles desirous of returning, to the extra*; of raising a loan to pay tbeir passages.

hrench Report

London, March 25

A French communique states there is little change north of So’ssons, which German long range gun 3 are bombarding.

Thera was lively artillery at Berry Au Bao, Rheims aud Alsace*

Change of Commander.

[REUTER’S SERVICE. COPYRIGHT.]

Petrograd, March 25

It is officially confirmed that Grand Duke Nicholas has retired from the Cotnmander-in-Chiefahip and General Alexieff, Chief of the General Staff officiates temporarily.

In China.

Pekin, March 25

The Chinese Minister at Vienna has been instructed to ask if Austria approves of the submarine policy.

If tbe reply is unsatisfactory, relations will be eevered. The German Minister aud staff leave Pekin on Saturday via San Francisco. Safe conducts have beßn granted to Europe.

German Fears(Received March 26, at 11.5 a.m) Paris, March 25 The Echo de Paris’ Geneva correspondent states the German Government, fearing a revolution, has provided the police with machine guns. Scbeidmann, leader of tbe Social Democratic Party is traversing Germany, urging a vigorous continuation of tbe war.

Germany has requisitioned all alumiuam for military purposes.

The Red Flag. Rome, March 25 The Giornale d’ Italia’s Petrograd correspondent states the old Russian flag has been abolished and all regiments have adopted the red flag. To Protest. Paris, March 25 President Poincaire, accompanied by the Ministers of War, Interior and Labour, with Senators and Deputies visited Noyan, Guiscatds, Ham, Nesle and Roye. M. Ribot, Premier, announced that Government was collecting evidence in order to protest to neutrals against Germans barbarous acts in the evacuated territsry.

French Official News(Australian & N.Z. Oable Association and Reuter.) London, Maroh 25 A French communique states we progressed north of Grand de Rancourt and Saint Quentin, We advanced appreciably north of Thauny and on the east bank of the Ailetfce we consolidated our positions there and in the region north of Soissons. We Beized portions of trenches east of Melanconrt Wood and West Mease. Yeaterday’d prisoners belonged to seven different regiments. There is great mutual activity in aerial bombing. Tbe Germans bombed Dunkirk causing small damage. President Wilson Getting Serious (Received March 26 at 1.50 p.m.) New York, March 25 President WiLon has called out fourteen regiments of the National Guard to protect munition plants and bridges. Casualty ListWellington, March 23 Reported killed in action—N.Z. Engineers—el. W. Wright. Reported missing—Wellington Infantry Battalion —E. C, Coles.

ROTORUA TGRPELOkD

One Life Lost

Christchurch. March 2G The manager of th« New Zealand Shipping Company has received a oable slating the Rotorua bad landsd all her passengers at Plymouth and when proceeding up the Channel was torpedoed. Capt Sutcliffe and all the were saved, with the exception of one'' ccok.