THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Per Uaifcad Press Association I

THE KING’S APPRECIATION.

Of NBw Zealand Troops (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) . London, May L Tbe Press Bureau suits (he K ng. in a message to B ig dier GerertJ Johnston, said it was a p'easure tj me to inspect th 9 training units of my New Zealand troops, and thus si.ow my appreciation of tbeir splendid fervicts in the great war. Ton i.to tbe representatives in the Mo'hetlacd of tbe comrade whose gionoua deeds at GallpJi, Egypt, Palestine and Flanders have helped irmucriali-e the name of Aozac. From the appe >r noe displayed by ail ranks on parade, 1 am satisfied you in your turn will n> hold the fame of the reg aunts to which you belong.

Official Report

Wellington,M <> 3 The High Comm sete*.er r*rorts 'Triflrion, May 2.jd, at 1.15 p. m.:— General Haig repo-'* li t be * <•en St QlCitin a.j'd Le e tlee .“as mutual aitilleryiog. At a number ot point,- during toe night in tbs neighborhojJ of F-U-fis-eait al! Gsnnaa reiidmg parties were repuLed, : Record Toll of the Air. (Received May 3, at 9,5 a.m.) London, May 2 The month of Apr,l ia easily the record mcDth for air activity. Figures compiled from communiques show that 714 machines were dowoed on tbe western front—366 German, 147 British and 201 French. Of the German victims the Brlti h downed 269, all with the exception of six by airmen.

..The previous highest totals were 165 daring laet July, 189 in 'August and 322 during SeDiember. Internal Germany. Amsterdam, May 2 There are sensational rumours of labour troubles at Cologne, and rioting resulting in heavy cisualties. The severity of the censorship prevents the confirmation.of thV rpmrur; An Italian Mission. [REUTEB’B SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT.j Rome, May 2 " The Italian mission goiDg to the United States 19 beaded by Piince Udena. v Germany and Chill Buenos Ayres, May 2 Tbe magazine “Reviata” saysf there is the strongest evideoer that Germany and Chili concluded a secr’ fc * treaty in 1912 whereby Chili guaranteed Germany a foothold in South America Germany gparmteei g aid to maintain Chili’s supremacy iu South America end the se zure cf

Patagonia, ; r The article concludes by saying that the troaty explains Chili's unwillingness to follow the American lead, fearing Germany wil. reveal the terms of tbe'treafcy, German Report London, May 1 a. German offioial report state b there was minor fighting near St Qaentia yesterday. The Cathedral received five hits. French attack between Prosnes and Anberive failed. A second attack oa a front southward of Naaroy also failed. We downed 25 aeroplanes and five balloons yesterday. German Aims. Washington, May 1" 'f’he German Peace Commission, interviewed, withheld their name, and asserted Germany would probably offer Alsace Lorraine to France, withdraw from Belgium, and relinquish French. territory. Germany’s real idea was to keep clear the route Turkey wards, in order to begin a new war against civil isatiou, when the opportunity was again ripe. Germany was unable to attack Suez; from outside, but hopes tojbe able ; to reach it through Turkey. - *

Russian Report. (Admiralty Per Wireless Press.) London, May 1 A Russian offioial report states near Armirda, south-westward of Van, a large party of Kurds heavily attacked our barrier guard, - Our cavalry restored the situation, Attacks by Kurds and looal inhabi-. tants onour rear, are more frequently Gallant Troops. London, May 1 The troops aboard the Ba'larat were rescued by destroyers and trawlers* The men behaved magnificently, recalling the heroism of the Birkenhead, New Zealand HonorsLondon, May 1 Captain C. N. Newman and two non-com New Zealanders have been p,warded'the Croix de Guerre and one New Zealander the Medailie Militaire,

HONORING VISITORS. Speech by General Smuts. LONDON, May 2nd. The Freedom of the City of London lias been conferred on five Empire representatives, General Smuts, Hon Sir E. P. Morris (Premier of Newfoundland) ; Hon. Sir J. S. Meston (Govern nor of United Provinces of Agra Oudh); The Mahraja of Bikaner; and Sir Satyennra Prasannd Sinha (member of the Viceroy’s! Council). ' 1 General Smuts in his speech said “Of the white inhabitants of the Empire, one quarter live beyond the seas, practically having ho interest in the struggles and feuds of old Europe. Yet see what they liavo done voluntarily. And why have they made this magnificent effort? It is not to help the mother country, but to help the cause which, is as much theirs as ours and the cause of . freedom. We shall never understand the mightiness of the effort of the British Empire, until we recognise the fight is' not for mere self interest, or mean or small issues, but for the greatest of all. It is because they all realise that the greatest essential and fundamental interest of humanity is at stake. The old cause for which millions have in all ages sacrificed their all is once again in danger. That is wliat you witness in tliiy spontaneous uprising, not only among, the nations of the British Empire, but of the world. The end of the war is approaching, but there are difficult, anxious, and dangerous weeks and months ahead. Let ns be neither to elated by victory, nor too depressed by ill-fortune. -Greater forces are fighting for uy.than our armies. The spirit of freedom is on the wing. That great creative spirit is once more moving" ambng the nations, in their unspeakable agonies. Let us gather inspiration ff'om our cause, and when the end comes, endeavour to build up a better world on the enduring foundations of liberty.”