MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1917, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[PEK PEESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] BUTTER SHORTAGE. (Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. 27. Butter in s tock has been cleared. The Controller has promised, the protribution on the Bth January, the proportion being dependent on the arrivals. A MOZAMBIQUE FIGHT. PORTUGUESE DEFEATED. (Received this day at 1.20 a.m.,) LISBON, Dec. 27 Official.—At Mozambique two thousand Germans, with ten machine guns and two cannon, attacked a position on Mount Nikula, held by 250 Portuguese, and five machine guns. The enemy assaulted, after three days fighting, prisoncring nine officers and seventeen men. There were forty Portuguese casualties. The Germans liberated the prisoners. We damaged the mactnne guns before they fell into the enemy’s hands.

ADMIRALTY CHANGES

(United Service Telegrams)

LONDON December 27. The “Manchester Guardian’s” London correspondent says the changes do not mean the reversal of Admiral Jellicoe’s policy regarding the attacks on the German Fleet in harbour, wherein Admiral Jellicoe considered it sound but developments in handling con-' voys and anti-submarini&m may be expected. Vice-Admiral Wemyss’s friends are confident that he will be able to improve the sea control whereby the country lives or dies. The “Westminster Gazette,” after eom.menlt.ing favourably on Admiral Jellicoe’s methods says: With the on. trance of America the time ■■ may be ripe for now methods; but the simultaneous demand for greater and absolute security is unlikely to be .satisfied if we do not adopt a more energetic and aggressive naval policy. We must accept greater losses without demanding the head ofthe Admiral a charger.

THE INSIDIOUS GERMAN. LONDON ,Doc. 27th. Newspapers are paying attention to the increased development of German propaganda in Spain. The “Espana” states: “Do we Spaniards realise that the Germans are building a State within the Spanish State, possessing more journals than other bodies, national or foreign ;also counting the secret- cooperation of politicians, including Ministers? Next election they will spend twenty-five million pesetas in purchasing votes.

ANARCHIST PLOT DISCOVERED LONDON, Dec. 27. The Swiss Police have discovered a foreign anarchist’s plot to assassinate ex-King Constantine. BELGIAN SCHOOLS CLOSED. AMSTERDAM, Deo. 27. Ttfe schools in Ghent are closed for lack of coal. Scholars over fifteen are given the choice of following the course at tho Flemish German University at Ghent, or military service in Flanders, for five marks daily. If they refuse they are sent to Franco to work in the trenches without any pay.

JAPAN’S ASSISTANCE. (Received, This Daw at 8.50. a.m.) TOKIO, December 28. The Emperor in a speech from the Throne, said the European war was becoming more important and it becomes us to hasten our efforts for more effective co-operation with the Allies. Wo expect the Alliance to secure a victory and obtain the objects wherewith we heartily sympathise. We are prepared to co-operate to the fullest extent, while maintaining, peace in the Orient.

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & BYUTER.] (Received, This Day at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON Deember 28. A Gazette published the names of 170 New Zealanders mentioned in General Haig’s despatch on 7th Nov. OIL AND FAT CONTROL. (Received, This Day at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON December 28. The Food Controller takes possession of all oils and fats in or arriving in United Kingdom on and after Ist. January.

VOTE OF CONFIMENCE. (Received This Day at 10.15. a.m.) PARIS December 28. The Chamber unanimously voted confidence in Government following on M. Piohon’s reply to Socialist Interpellations, charging the Allies with aims and practising secret diplomacy at the expense of the people. •M. Picon said, after tho soldiers miseries and suffering, and the destruction of towns, it as impossible to accept Germany’s latest hvpocritioal proposals for a lying peace based on .the status quo including prewar econnomie regime. Prance demanded an in demnjty and reparation. 'f]he Allies were in complete agreement regarding their aims. Alsace Lorraine was for France the very symbol of right.

NEW YEAR HONOURS. LONDON December 28. It is undertood the New Year honhonours include several girl telephone op orators who remained at their posts heroically during the London air raids.