MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1918, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION. —CIPTBIOHf.] ARMISTICE ON THE SEA. LONDON, Oct. 31. The Press Bureau states: The Board of Trade has announced that war risks on cargo will be decreased by fifty percent. in cases where, vessels sail during an armistice between the belligerents. .

ENEMY’S -MAN-POWER. LONDON, Got 31. Whereas in March last, the enemy possessed 80 fresh reserve divisions, the number is now reduced to 50, where of only seven have had a fortnight’s rest, and none have had a month’s rest. Therefore the Germans have not a single division which can be called fresh. Cases have actually occurred in the i last- fortnight of enemy divisions re-ap-pearing in the line which have been unable to muster :i thousand rifles out of an establishment of 6,750 rifles, excluding machine gunners. In one instance a division - was reduced to roughly one battalion. During the last six months, 25 divisions have been disbanded, while in the last four weeks, five third-rate ill-equip ped divisions have been transferred from Russia to the West Front. The enemy's total shortage in rifles on the establishment, may safely be taken* as over 550,000. It is estimated that since January Ist tho enemy’s casualties have been 2,500000. whereof a million are permanent losses.

At the same time, the total reserves at tho German depots are estimated not to exceed 310.000 men, including the greater portion of tho 1920 class of recruits. Hitherto every effort has been made to postpone the employment of. the latter class, as it is the sole remaining reserve of enemy man-power. Its consumption involves serious consequences to Germany after the war. Tt. is estimated that, of 18,000 German guns, of all calibres on the Western front, in July fully 35 per cent have been lost in battle casualties alone.

The divisions from Russia thrown, into the battle provide no artillery or machine-guns. ... Decreasing enemy aircraft activity is a further sign of a deficiency in material resources, which is causing an increasingly serious effect on the enemy’s morale, 'though nothing like general demoralisation has occurred. It remains to be seen whether the Entente Armies’ pressure will he continued with sufficient vigor to cause a general collapse of the. enemy’s resistance.

AEROPLANE CONTRACT GRAFT'. NEW YORK, October 31. Mr Charles Hughes in a report- on his aircraft- investigations, reveals no glaring defalcations, lint he (recommends the criminal prosecution of three officers for having dealings with business concerns while acting ns Government officers, and also the courtmartial of an officer who is alleged to have acted as confidential adviser to former business, associates. ttgrpTcapturies. LONDON, October 31. Mesopotamia official message reports hard fighting on the T igris. It began on the 24th inst. The entire Turkish 'force thoi)e are now prisoners, their number being estimated at about j seven thousand. A large quantity of war material have boon taken. BRITISH POLITICS. LONDON, Oct. 31. The prevalent expectation now is that the Government will have a general election held on December 17th. TIM HEA.LV RESIGNS. LONDON, Oct. 31. Mr Tint Healy has resigned his seat in the House of Commons for North East Cork as a protest against the action of tho Government in connection with the imprisonment of a Sinn Feiner. The latter,- an actor, has received two years for sinking two Irish songs. Mr Healy, in resigning, expressed the hope that the imprisoned man will he elected his successor for the seat. WOMEN TN PART J AMENT. v LONDON, Oct. 31. Tn the House of Commons, Lord Cecil introduced the Parliamentary Qualifications of Women Bill. It was read a first time. JAPAN AND CHINA. NEW YORK, Oct. 30. The United Press Tokio correspondent states that Baron Sayashi, Japanese Minister to China, has resigned, and Totikichi will probably ho his successor.