THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1917, Page 2

THE WAR.

(Per United Press Association] Torpedoed New York, May 17 The Hilouiaa has beeD torpedoed in the Mediterranean. Four of toe Ciew were drowned. She formerly t lied between Sm Francisco and HonoLla-Twenty-five American? w rj aboard. She was of the Harfgusfiore line end was torpedoed off Marseille?. Thore are no details.

Statement Approved. Washington, May 17 It is stated unofficially that Lord Robert Cecil's le statemeut of the Allies’ war aims is generally approved, particularly the remark that it i.-r not likely that German colonies wil be handed back, owing to the atrocities committed there.

Russian Agreement. [beuteb’s seevice.—oopyrightJ Petrograd, May 17 After all day. negotiations, an agreement was reached between the delegates End Governm nt whercunder three Democratic and three Nationalists Socialists enter the Cabinet. Generals Alexuff, Prgoniskoff and Gourks are coming to Petrograd to sonfer on the military situation.

On Riga Front Petrograd, May 17 The Northsud Agency reports on the R ? ga front in spite of German threats to overwhelm them with asphyxiating gas, Russian regiments are refusing to fraterniee, and everywhere have resolutely discontinued friendly meetings. The enemy is disappointed and the Germans have loosed an intense rifle and artillery fire.

Haig’s Report. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assoeia.ion and Keuter), Petrograd, May 17 General Haig reports at night there was fighting at Bulleoonrt. Wa further progressed through the village and reached the western edg3.

Raiders Beaten Off Weedington, May 19 The High Commissioner reports London, 18th May at 1.45 p.m, : General Haig reports 'hat northeast of Armenti6rea early n the night two hostile raiding parties were beaten off with loss. There was nothing farther of a special nature.

A Terrible Glimpse of War. London, May 15 Mr W. Beach Thomas sends Ih'.s dread glimpse of war to the Daiiy Mail:— “ Severe fighting has taken place at both ends of the line, bet more eloquent than any particulars of the engagement is the spectac’e of the ground deserted by the enemy. “He has left behind no papers, no stores, no material, but everywhere be has left behind the dead bodies of hie men, ancared for, uuburied, unregarded for days, for weeks for months. He was too thoroughly demoralised and ioo exposed to attempt even to remove the dead from the trodden paths. “No battlefields crossed by our men since July Ist are eo matted with human wreckage, or give ruch evidence of a broken spirit as the trench lines dismantled by the Germans in front of Bapaume, by the villages of Le Barque and Ligny-Thilloy. Soma of the dead were jaat drowned in the sunken roads from lack of mental and bodily power to wade through the marshes prepared by our shell fire.

A New Move. London, Government are taking over marine insurance, Allied Trade Conference. Rome, May 18 The Inter-Alli6d Commercial Conrerenoe has opened. Lord Gainsford, on behalf of the British delegatee* emphasised Britain’s desire that the resources of the Allies be co-ordi-nated, The Conference approved of resolutions relating to trade marks and the application of science industrially, the health of munition makers, employment of disabled soldier 3, system of police, and to protect trade after the war, a system of inter- Allied insurance union, measures to crush the German system of trade espionage and corruption. The Greek Muddle,

London, May 18 The Daily Telegraph’s Athena correspondent states King Constantine when conversing with an American, said Germany’s submarining would force the Allies to accept peace negotiations within three mouths. He had only to tide over that period. The correspondent saw a copy of a protocol signed by Army officers, engaging to forcibly reoint any of Premier Zaimis’ measures, of which they disapproved. The population lives under a regime of intimidation,

IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. Its Great Importance[bEUTEE’S SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT.] London, May 17 In the House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George said that ha desired to report to the House the very important decisions of the recent Imperial War Cabinet. It was desirable that Parliament should be officially acquainted with the event, which constituted a land-mark in the Constitutional history of the British Empire. He outlined the events that led up to the Conference and the proceedings of the meeting. A decision was reached which will enable us to prosecute the war with increased unity and vigour, and which will be of the greatest v«lae when negotiations for peace ara being discussed. Fresh minds and new viewpoints of the Government's colleagues were bmnght to bear upou the | roblem, and had been of immensi help for the Governments oonoerned. They could with confidence state that the experiment was a cample e success. The Imperial WarCabiuet was unanimous that it had been of such service not only to ire members but to the Empire that it ought not to be allowed to fall'destitute, They hoped that an annual meeting would be agreed upon aud that it would become an accepted convention of the British Constitution.”

After referring to the funolions Mr Lloyd George said that they had not attempted to settle what Constitutional developments might evolve. The question of perfecting the mechanism for the considering of Imperial and foreign affairs between the autonomous nations of the Imperial commonwealth had been reserved for a special conference which would be sammoned as eaon as possible after the war to readjust the Constitutional relatione of the Empire. He befiaved that the proposal to perpetuate the Imperial Cabinet, including India, would commend itself to all the nations,of the Empire.

in Mexico. Washington, May 18 The Embassy Btates Carranza has caused a sensation by stating that those opposed to the revolution had not the rrght to return to private life, as Mexico might reluctantly be drawn into the world conflict.

China’s Fear. Washington, May 18 Official advices state the Chintsa Government has telegraphed to the Chinese Governors urging the advisability of a declaration of war, not to jam in the actual warfare, but to give facilities for supplies and mattrial. Otherwise they would lose the Entente’s confidence.

Austrian Conditions. [reutee’s SEE VICE.—COP rKIGHT.] New York, May 18 - Mr Pcnfield has re'urned from Vienna where he was American Ambassador. Interviewed by the New York Times he said that the distress in Austria was terrible, bat they must not assume that the country was at the end of its resources. Tbe masses know nothing of the events in the outer world. They are fed on newspapers’ lies about the strength of tbe Central Powers, while the Allies are described as on the verge of a co'Upse. Hs was surprised that Swi ! z9rland, although not participating, was spending a billion francs on army mobilisation.

_ Russian Approval. Pbtrograd, May 18 Generals Alexieff, Dragomiroff, Gurko and BrnsilofE declare that the Coalition Ministry will restore discipline in the Army, which is enthusiastic over the appointment of Kereniki as Minister of War. ABDICATION FABLEAn Officer's Letter. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.) (Received May Id, at 9.20 a.m,) London, May 18 Lord Esher states he has seen a letter, written in Berlin by an officer, stating tbe Kaiser’s abdication was mentioned at a recent meeting of Em. perors. Tbs reconstruction of the Empire was openly disoussed in Government circles as an alternative to the erection of a Republic. The writer added that if the Kaiser’s successor was *-lcCted by the people of Germany, even Prussia would not choos9 the Crown Prince. Labor Outlook. Sydney, May 19 The Labor Department report shows that practically all the men idled, as the result of the curtailment of public works, have been absorbed in other directions. The continued slump in the building trades was responsible fora eonsiderable unemployment, otherwise tbe labor outlook had improved.