THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Per United Press Association BERMAN ADMIRAL'S CLAIM. of Submarine Work. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Associ Cod anti Renter-) Amsterdam, May 10 Admiral Capelle, in a speech on the Navy Estimates in the Reichstag, asserted that the booty for the last three months, was 1,325 ships of 2,800,000 tons. He expected that submarines, which were heavily striking the vital c- ntre of their fiercest enemy, would gtv.ren* tee Germany holding cut. He admitted that losses bai occurred, as their enemies defercts were increasing in quantity and qcali‘y, but they had found no radical enemy against the submarine.

British Operations Wellington, May 11 The High Commissioner reports, London, May 10th, at 2,20 p.m : General Haig reports in the neighbourhood of Ballecourt, tbs figh ing yesterday eveuing was continuous. We progressed in spita of repeated, costly enemy efforts to ehuke our hold on his positions, none being successful.

At Dight onr line was advanced eastwards of Fricourt, southwards of Sonebez river, where we captured portion of the enemy front and support lines, a number being prisonered. North-east of Lievin and southwards of Hulloch we drove off hostile raiders, North of Givenchy and Lahasse we carried oat a successful raid.

Invitation Refused. [LONDON TIMES SEEVIOE. OOVYBIGHT.] (Received May 11, at 9.5 a,m.) London, May 10 The National Executive of the British Labour Party refused the Dutch International Soiialists invitation to attend the Stockholm Conference, and decided to arrange an Allied Labour Socialist Conference in London in June 1918.

Russian Refusal. [EEUTEB’s SEBVICE.—COPYRIGHT.] Petrogkad, May 10 A Conference of Socialists and Extremists resolved not to participate in the Stockholm Congress, attended by Bargbjerg and Scheidemann, as the former was aoting in agreement with the latter and other German Socialists who side with tba German Government.

Ship Building. Washington, May 10 The President had a conference with representatives of both Houses and also the Shipping Board, An agreement was reached whereby a hundred million sterling will be made available through Congressional aotion, for the building and purohase of ships.

THE BERMAN VIEW. Of America’s Entry. (Received May 11, at 9 50 a.m,) New Yokk, May 10 A Berlin correspondent has received from the Foreign Office a Bt&temenfc of the German view of America’s entrance into the war. Germany refuses to forego the present nee of submarines, although sbe does not desire to take offensive measures against United States. Government regards the submarine as a valuable weapon, and will strictly coniine it to an announced zone. Sho does not see any hostility in such action, as all countries were warned beforehand. The statement indicates that Americans in Germany are obliged to report regularly to the police.

RUSSIAN CONSUL’S CIAIM That Russia can he Trusted Sydney, May II The Russian Consul, speaking at the Millions Club luncheon celebrating the emancipation of Russia, said the man.in the street believed Russia cannot be trusted, because be does not know Russia. I am a Russian and I know my country. 1 had doubts about her recently, but now I am sure, though there has been a lot of pacifist talk, it is only bubbling froth. After centuries of oppression Russians threw off their fetters, because they thought the Czar oligarchy was intriguing for a separate peace. Do you think the nation which did thiß is likely now to cooolude a separate peace ? Russia will remain true to herself and the honor of the Allies. Trust Russia and she will not tail you. Army Bill Agreement. (Received May 11 at noon). Washington, May 10 The House and Senate Conference reported they had reached au agreement on the Army Bit), eliminating Mr Roosevelt’s volunteer army, with an amendment making the age limp, for selective draft put poses 21 to 31 years, inclusive.

naval honors. For Commander Evans and Stoker Williams. (Australian &N.Z. Cable Association and Renter). London May 10 ' Among the honors of the naval action described on 25th April, the Distinguished Service Order and promotion to Captain has been conferred on Commander Evans. Also a Distinguished Service Medal to Stoker Charles Williams of the New Zealand Naval Reserve. Russian Operations (Admiralty—per Wireless Press) London, May 10 Russian official—There was intense enemy artillerying at Lake Miatiziol and Smorgon. The enemy attacked in the wooded Carpathians, westward of Kapul mountain. Our machine gunfire compelled them to retreat.

New York FireWashington, May 10 A fire damaged the dome of New York City Hall, which was decorated in honour of the French men. The ontbreak was threatening, bnt was suppressed. There was a huge crowd present. Labor’s Kelp. Washington, May 10 As the result of conferences of British and American labour heads, organised labour throughout United States has offered to abrogate the eight hour rule and other rights whenever emergencies demand. The fullest cooperation with Government, without surrendering their rights of striking, was promised.

German Canals > Amsterdam, May 10 Leading Hamburg merchants discussed the improvement of the canal schemes in order to restore Hamburg’s lost trade. Doctor Mathes, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated the main Danube Canal scheme was over expensive and would- merely benefit Rotterdam and Antwerp, which would never be German. The meeting passed a resolution urging Government to construct an Elbe-Danube Canal es speedily as possible.

French Report (Australian &N.Z. Cable Association) and Renter.) (Received May li,at 11.10 a.m.) London, May 10 A French communique says the enemy at night attempted infantry actions at various points at Chemin des Dames, all of which broke down. A minor operation enabled us to extend our gains on the northern slopes of Yauclerc Plateau, where-we took prisoners belonging to fresh divi-. sions that had recently arrived. The artillery duel continued fairly lively ou all these sectors.

German Report. (Australian & N,Z. Gable Association and Reuter), (Admiralty Per Wireless Press.) London, May 10 German official—Artillerymg at Arras continues?, with increasing violence. Fresnoy remains ours, despite repeated attacks. The fighting for possession of Bullecourt fluctuates. Between Soissone and Rheims we repulsed, after bitter hand to hand fighting, French attacks,, on WinterJberg St Marie. From Cormioy, enemy advances north-westwards of Prosnc-s failed. We downed ten engmy aeroplanes. The battle was continued with the greatest bitterness and violence in Macedonia. Enemy attacks northeast of Monastir were repulsad and Franoo-Russian battalion massad attack on a 16 kilometres front in Oerna salient, was heavily repulsed. We drove back the Serbians, who were attacking northward of Vodena. Copra Prices. London, May 10 The Ministry of Munitions has fixed the price of copra at 46/ ex-ship, or warehoused since February. Clergy Volunteers. s ' . London, May 10 The Bishops have released 666 clergy, the majority of whom bad volunteered for chaplaincies. There were 2,012 offered for national service, Neutral Conference. ■ Stockholm, May 10 i The newspapers unanimously wsl* j come the Premiers and Foreign Minis- i ters of Norway, Denmark and Sweden i meeting at the Fnoyal Palace, It is the third meeting for the war period. American Relief. Washington, May 10 S. America has cgrsed to land the French rH Belgian Governments-seveaty-iive million dollars to cover the cost of relief work in Belgium and France.

DESTROYERS CHASE.

No Definite Result

Wellington, May 11 The High Commissionar reports Loudon, 10th May, at 5 15 p.m. The Admiralty reports scouting light cruisers and destroyers from Harwich when cruising between the Eaglish and Dutch coasts this morning, sighted eleven German destroyers to the south, in a parallel line. They immediately closed and opened fire. The enemy made off southwsrds at full speed, under cover of a dense smoke screen. Our vessels ohased them for eighty M minutes, and engaged them at long range, but were unable to overtake them. Four of our destroyed chafed eleven of the Germans to within range of the guns at Zsebruggd. Our casualty was one man sligh ly wounded. The enemy’s destroyers were Been tc.be hit.

THE GERMAN NAVY Wanting a Fightj Amsterdam, May 10 In the Reichstag, a Conservative declared the fleet were longing to meet the British who, despite their denial, knew the Skager Rack battle .. was the first defeat the British Navy had suffered for centuries. A National Liberal member said Britain’s domination of the seas was now shaken for ever, The fleet dare net come act.

Reichstag Statement, Amsterdam, May 10 During the dieenssiou on the Colonial vote, Noske, an official . Socialisfr, said peace without annexation implies restitution of the Colonies or compensation ip the event of portions being abandoned. Dr Solf, Colonial Secretary declared the entire Reichstag, except the Socialist Labourites, firmly demanded the restitution of the Colonies.

The King's Pleasure. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) London, May 10 The Press Bureau states the King has sent a message saying he had much pleasure in approving of the awards iu recognition of the splendid action of the Swift and Broke with the German destroyers. The officers and men did more than uphold the grand traditions of the British Navy,

Canadian Casualties. Ottawa, May 10 Canadian casualties since the war totol 89,800. Expectations Exceeded. / Amsterdam, May 10 Vcn Oipelle, speaking on the Nival Estimates in the Ricb-tag, said the Admiralty had expected to sink six hundred thousand tons of merchanters monthly, but over 1,100,000 tons were destroyed m April, The loises of submarines were unexpectedly small. The crews were greatly increasing their experience.

AN INVENTION Great Results Claimed New York, May 10 The Sun’s Washington jorrespondent states Elmar Sperry, the inventor of the gyroscope, has invented an ’ anti-submarine device which has amezed naval experts. Early teats have been arranged. The invention is designed for offensive operations. Investigation will be made to see whether favorable results caa be repeated on a broad scale in deep eea.