MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1918, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION..— COI’YRIOnT.]; Till*'. BUKSLAU’S DEAD. BODIES WASiriCl) UP. ATHENS February 27. T!u' bodies of 17 of I-be Breslau’s officers have been washed up at Mount All K»S. MUNITIONS PROGRAMME. MODIFIED. LONDON February 28. In the? House of Commons, Mr F. G. Kellewnv (Undersecretary to the Ministry of Munitions) said that the modification of tre munitions programme would involve the partial closiinr of certain munitions works. The Government hoped to transfer the displaced workers to other suitable.

THE LOST HOSPITAL STO P. FURTHER. RESCUES UNLIKELY.! • AUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION^ LONDON February 28. The Glenart Castle was a complete blaze of light when she was torpedoed there not being the least excuse for this latest German brutality. Scores rushed on deck, mostly clad only in shirts, trousers and pyjamas. Those rescued had terrible experiences whilst they were afloat in the heavy sea. They* worked in relays to keep the boats afloat by baling. There is little hope of any further survivors. A search, discovered only an enemy lifeboat, which bore indications of having been occupied. THE LATE GENERAL MAUDE. (Reuter’s Telegrams.l LONDON February .28. In the House of Commons the Speaker read a message from his Mat josty paying a. tribute to the late General Maude’s services in Mesopotamia, and recommending the House of Commons, as a recognition thereof, to grant, Lady Maude £25,000. This statement was loudly applauded. A vote is to be moved on Monday.

AGREEMENT WITH SWEDEN. LONDON March 2 The “Morning Post’s” Stockholm correspondent says the tonnage agreement between Sweden and the Allie ( s is settled, whereby 72,000 tons of Swedish shipping is placed at the Allies disposal. Sweden is permitted to import 04,000 tons of necessaries. I > ROTECTING ZEEBRIJ G GE. INGENIOUS GERMAN DEVICES. AMSTERDAM March 1. The “Daily Teilegraaf’’ frontier correspondent states that the Germans are oonfinuohsly thinking put new methods for the defence of Zeelirugge from sea and air. They send up nightly unmanned captive balloons fastened to electi'ic steel wire forming a great danger to airmen, and contacting with New German aeroplanes fitted with three screws. One is so arranged that it keeps the machine stationary for some time permitting more accurate bomSing. Mn. t-ine nets are spread far seawards, and smaller submarines are now building.

anchor liner, torpedoed-. NEW YORK, March Ist. It is reported here that the Anchor liner Tiberia was submarined on 27th Feb. arrests”for espionage. ! PARIS, March 2. Five persons arrested on suspicion o' espionage include Sunzy Do pity, an actress, lately appearing with Sarah Bernhardt. Repliy occupied a. sumptuous flat. GOVERNMENT CONTROL. ' WASHINGTON, March 1. The Railroad Bill , passed by the House, empowers the Government lo control' fill two years after the war. PREMIER ASKED TO RECONSTRUCT MINISTRY. MADRID, March 1. Following the Cabinet’s resignation? King Alfonso has asked the Premier to remain in office and reconstruct the Ministry.

NEW SPANISH CABINET. MADRID, March 1. The l Alhucania’s Cabinet remains with two minor changes. THE ENGINEERS’ STRIKE. LONDON. March 1. The Press Bureau states that Lloyd George, Baines, Geddas and Roberts, are. conferring with the amalgamated engineers’ delegates. , LABOUR ELECTION CAMPAIGN. LONDON, March 2. Following the conference’s acceptance of the Labour Party’s new constitution a countrywide campaign in readiness for a general election is to be begun forthwith. Meetings are being held rn every constituency to form local Labour branches and associations.

The Executive have already, decided to fight every seat where a candidate is forthcoming. THE RACECOURSE DISASTER. HONGKONG, March 1. Five hundred and seventy three charred todies counted in the racecourse disaster txtdstly Chinese,

INDIA’S FINANCE. SOME REMARKABLE FIGURES. ./ DELHI, March 2. Sir William Meyer presented the annual Financial .Statement in the Council. The year closed with a surplus of 5,750 000. This was duo to favourable monsoons, and a record growth iu railway receipts ; but this is counter balanced by increased military charges now totalling nearly 29,000,000. It lias only been possible to meet the heavy demands on the resources of the Government in financing the war, by the success of the war loan, which brought in 35,000,000; and by Indian Treasury Bill issues, which are expected to total about 30.000,000 by the end of the year.

During 1917 the Government put 32,000,000 into. British Treasury Bills, making a- total since the beginning of the war, so invested, of 67,000,000. These figures are"' independent • of India’s special contribution of a 100,000,000 to the Imperial Government. The estimated revenue surplus for 1918-19 at is indicated. 11 was not intended to increase taxation. It is proposed to raise iCfurther loan of /Unlimited amount. It is claimed that the war has brought out India’s financial strength in a remarkable manner.

UNDER CONSIDER ATION. JASSY March 1. It is officially announced that developments on the East Front have ■ caused the Government to consider the possibility of entering peace negotiations, .which-will not be begun until assurances are received that the terms will be acceptable in every respect. Rumours of peace on any terms are unfounded. I- : _ AUSTRIA WITHIN. AFTER THE FOOD. ROME March 2. The “Daily Express’s” Amsterdam correspondent says the Vienna Government has announced that the change of policy, sanctioning Austro-Hungar-ian military intervention in the Ukraine was due to the demand of Vienna’s Burgomaster pleading tliat Anemia was starving and the only hope was bread and peace with tlie Ukraine.

Tlie correspondent now bears that the German troops are entering the Ukraine to seize the food. 1 The Austrian’s are there for going to prevent- the Germans, securing the food which Austria- considers hers. The text of a suppressed speech ol the Polish Deputy Glombinski in the Austrian Chamber, shows that be declared that Czernin forced Kholm on the unwilling Ukrainians without* previously consulting the Poles. He described Austria’s duplicity as rivalling Prussian brutality.

One of the Cracow newspapers states that the Germans killed and wounded many at Warsaw during a demonstration" against the annexation of Kholm to Ukraine.