IN THE BALTIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1917, Page 2

IN THE BALTIC.

German Navy Active. Stockholm, May 23 The Dagblad states, there is increasing German naval activity in the Baltic. Many destroyer flotillas, in squadrons of forty war ships, have been sighted proceeding north. Torpedoed. Christiania, May 23 The Norwegian sa ; ler Maauva was torpedoed, two aboard being killed. The Norwegian steamers Nermann and Assild were submarined. Some of the Normann’a crew were lost. An Italian Report. (Australian & N.Z, Gable Association and Reuter), London, May 23 Italian official—After severe fighting in Travijnolo Valley, the enemy, penetrated our positions at Piccotto and Colbricoc, but the whole were recaptured.

SOUTH AFRICA.

General Smuts’ Forecast A Great Future. (Australian & M.2L, Cabla Association). (Reeeived May 24, at* 12.15 p.m.) London, May 23 At a banquet in honor of General Smuts, there was a distinguished gathering of notables connected with South Africa. General Smuts contended that a policy of national unity, consistent with the preservation of traditions, would be in the best interests of South Africa, and would build up a race more powerful and stronger than if it had remained apart. The policy of keeping the two races distinct was arrant nonsense. Dealing with the difficulties of the native problem he said they were trying to solve the system of self-govern-ment for the native races, similar to the white man’s system. The.experiment might take a century to achieve gcod results, but Mr Beit could initiate it with the present mixture of white and black. The war had opened his eyes to the enormous military material in East Africa. The great German plan of building a Central Afrioan Empire would have embraced one of the most valuable parts of the world, whereiD it would be possible to train one of the most powerful armies the world had ever eeeD.

The possibility of training black armies would present a problem of great importance, not only to the Empire, but to civilisation. He suggested as a remedy to prevent the menace of a Sonth Central Africa would be to forbid military training of natives in aDy peace settlement.

His proposals pointed out that our possession of East Africa, net ohly gave ns through land communication from one end of Africa to the o.h«r, but it assured the safety of Cape and Red Sea routes.

Arrived in England.

(Received M°>y 24, at noon.) London, May 23 The first detachment of United States engineers have arrived in England. Austrian Cabinet Resigns. London, May 23 The Daily Chronicle’s Amsterdam correspondent states Count Tieza, the Hungarian Premier, and the entire Cabinet have resigned

ITALSANS’ HEAVY FIGHTING Lost Positions Recovered Wellington, May 24 The High Commissioner reports London, May 23rd, at 4,25 p.m. Rome official reports state in the Trivignola Valley there was very severe fighting on Monday nigh’. After a violent bombardment, destroying our positions on 'the Massif Piocolo Coldricon, an enemy attacking force penetrated part of our line despite stubborn resistance. The arrival of our support led to violent fighting, lasting until yesterday afternoon, and resulted in the recaptnre of the whole position. . One hundred dead were iefi on the field aid there is other considerable evidence of the enemy’s heavy reverse.

FRENCH PROGRESS

Success at Ailette

London, May 23 Freach official report—Yestereve we began at three points a lively attack with good remits on the plateau Vauolero and plateau California. „ We continue the conquest of the final observatories commanding the Ailette Valley, improving our position on the slopes to the uorthward. In the region eastward of Chevreux we captured three lines of trenches during the night. An enemy counter attack on the Californie plateau was broken by fire, with heavy lo?ses to ;he aßaeilants and 350 prisoners were taken. An enemy attempt westward of Eparges failed.

MARCONI VISITING, Submarine Plans. [rEUTEB’6 SEE VICE.—COPYRIGHT.] (Received May 24, at 1 p.m.) Washington, May 23 - “Count Marconi has arrived with the ’ Italian Mission. He intends to show the United States authorities his plans for poping with submarines. He stated that Italy has sunk thirteen submarines within a week. German Report. (Ausirahan & N.Z Cable Association aud Reuter.) 7~-' J (Admiralty—per Wireless Press) London, May 23\ German official—We repulsed sev- ( eral English advances at Hallaohand Bnllecourt. Strong French attacks at Lavilleau Boos failed. Rush to Colors [seuxeb’s service.—COPYRIGHT.! A Ottawa, May 24 There is a rush to join the colors in anticipation of compulsion. ANTI-TGRPEDG~ INVENTION Hudson Msxim’s Claim New York, May 23 Hudson Maxim announces an inveu- | tion which, when placed around ehipß, causes torpedoes to explode harmlessly. It is applicable cheaply to existing ships. SOUTH SEA COLONIES. German Claims For Them. (Received May 24, at 1,20 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 23 A Doctor Irmer, a well known Colonial ™ authority, in an article in the press, asks the German Government its intention abont the colonies in the South Seas. He declares there must be no yielding of the colonies in return for concessions in Europe. German dip* lomacy may be relied on to secure a good position in Europe, but not at the expense of the South Sea colonies* the loss whereof would be a severe blow. He admits there is not much hope of Germany getting back her possessions. ? Baron von Retcbenburg, another colonial expert, thinks the South Sea possessions may be exchanged for British East Africa and Uganda, if Britain desires. Admiral von Galow declares that unless we get back the South Sea possessions, Germany's entire trade in' M the Far East will Hb crippled. She ™ must insist'on Germany getting Caledonia and French Oceania. The Ger~ man Empire wants naval bases, and must establish a world route for Ger--man Bhips, to make her independents ol England, America and Japan.