MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1917, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

GERMANY’S PEACE KITE. AMSTERDAM December 14. A German toffiidial erpLaination regarding Mr. (Balfour's statement m the House of Commons on the 11th. December says:—Germany received a communication so couched as to warrant a belief that it was made with the knowledge in Britain that Germany wa s ready to answer an enquiry, and con sidered a direct verbal reply through a neutral as the best course; but Germany’s opponents did nothing to facilitate such a direct reply. Mr. Balfour’s statement was the first news received in Germany that the Allies were ready to receive a communication from Germany and no further steps were taken by Germany.

! HAVANA DECLARES WAR. j i HAVANA December 15.. j Congress have resolved to declare war j on Austria. ' . | GENERAL LIMAN RELEASED. { fAUSTRALIAN & N.yZ. CABLE ASSOCIATION <fc REUTER.] I BERNE- December 14. i Prisoners from Germany state that I General Liman the hero of Liege lias 1 been released and arrives in Switzer- > land to-morrow, i | AFRICAN GENERAL HONOURED. LONDON December 15. ! Official—General Vanderventer has been created a Knight Commander of the Bath. lEX-PRESIDHNT EXILED. LISBON December' 15. A decree exiles ex-President Machado indefinitely. BANKS AMALGAMATE. LONDON December 15. ( The amalgamation is announced of the National Provincial Bank, the Union Bank of London, and S m ith’s Bank, under the title of the National Provincial and Union Bank of Engj land. Shaseholder’s confirmation is I necessary. The combined deposits are about a hundred and fifty millions. LONDON DOCK CHARGES^ LONDON December 14! The Port of London authorities tare asking (the Gov'emment’s permission to increase the additionto the tariffs to 50 per cent w in order to the dock labourers’ war bonus to eighteen .Shillings -per week, and to make a proportionate increase to other employees’ wages. FUNCHAL BOMBARDED. LONDON December ’l4. An enemy submarine bombarded Funchal for twenty minutes firing, shells, causing casualties, and destroying houses ant} a church. ALLIED NAVAL COUNCIL. LONDON December 15. The Admiralty announces tjhat a •I Naval Allied Council has been created to watch and report on the respective Governments’ general conduct of the naval war, and ensure co-ordination of effort. It consists of the Ministers of Marine. Chiefs of Naval staffs and ad<i that America and Japan will he represented,. . a . The various admiralties will furnish the Council with information necessary for it s -work. FOOD PROBLEM ACUTE. LONDON December 14. Mr. Yapp speaking to a London shipping man, said power problems were solvable; but- the food problem was most acute. Lord Rbonnda announces arrangements arc complete for instant rationing wlien necessary. A VALUABLE GIFT. LONDON. Dee. loth. < Tho Duchess of Norfolk has given Norfolk house for use as a Club for the wives and relatives of oversea officers. One thousand members are daily in tho Club which will be opened on the 20th.