MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1918, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

TAUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] COLONIES QUESTION. BERLIN, Nov. 7. Government circles declare whether an understanding as regards the colonies depends principally on England.

The colonies cannot remain in Entente possession of colonies including those in the South Seas. Germany, however, accepts .co-operation of other nations in the development of common roads and combating sleping sickness. demobilisation. LONDON November 7. The Press Bureau states the Government has created a civil department of demobilisation and resettlement to deal with all questions of re-employment of sailors and soldiers and war workers. CALI KORNEV WET. NEW YORK, Nov. 7. An overwhelming vote against prohibition in San Francisco has probably saved California for the “wets”. • SHIPPING FIGURES. LONDON November 7. Hon. McNamara stated 8,946,000 tons of merchantmen were lost by enemy action and marine risks, of which 5,443GOO were replaced by new construction, enemy tonnage and purchase abroad. THE SEAMEN’S BOYCOTT. LONDON, Nov. 6. The Seamen’s Union has withdrawn the embargo which it had enforced for some time against the Labour leader, Mr Henderson. He shortly will make a fresh start for the Continent-. 1 Mr Havelock Wilson, M.P., Secretary of the Seamen’s Union, in consequence of the Trade Union"'Congress taking action in the matter, has promised that there will be no further interference with Mr Henderson or other Labour leaders previously held up by the seamen. WOMEN AND PARLIAMENT. LONDON, Nov. 6. When the Bill to enable women to sit in the House of Commons has reached the. Lords they will raise the question of enabling peeresses in their own right! to sit in the Upper Houbo. Those peeresses number twenty. "military awards. (AUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & IIVUTKIt.j LONDON, Nov. 7. A Distinguished Service Order has been awarded Major T. Farr of New Zealand Field Artillery and G. Ilarges of Otago. COMPENSATION FOR SINKINGS. LONDON November 7. Neutral countries have been informed by tlie Allies that as the. Allies have a claim against the shipping of the Central Powers, in view of the submarine campaign, therefore, any transfer of German sliip3 to neutral owneri ship cannot be recognised by the Allies. AMERICAN ELECTIONS. WASHINGTON, Nov. 7. Returns so far show a Republican ma joritv in the House of forty-one but i this is not final . : The Senate figures are still doubtI fill. The present figures give the Republicans forty-seven seats and the ; Democrats forty-six. i i SPANISH CABINET RESIGNS. I MADRID, Nov. 7. j Tho Cabinet has resigned j after a v •■> big carried in tho Bud gel ; debate c: >. using disapproval of tile Govern::;/:in s foreign policy. | A WARNING. i fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. UABI.K ASSOCIATION ; REUTER.] t (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) LONDON November 7. The Press Bureau reports that the Blockade Minister announces that re minders have been sent to Neutrals, thai Britain und the Allies declined to re cognise transfers of enemy tonnnge be fore the final conclusion of peace. Hi: ) Majesty’s Government holds that tin - Allies have a claim against tho Centra - Powers for shipping in new of the il s legal submarine campaign and does no ■- intend to allow her'claim to be defeat ed by such a transfer .

• OCTOBER SHIP-BUILDING. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 7. The New York Times commenting on Mr. Wilson’s principle of freedom of the seas, says: “It is fortunate the Allied Governments stated their inability to accept it in all its various interpretations, and told Mr Wilson that they have reserved complete freedom on this subject when they enter the Peace Conference, because the subject has long been controvorsied. The principles involved should be made clear and discussed until agreed to by all nations, so that ■ they may become part of the universally accepted body of international law. The American doctrine of freedom of the seas briefly is that private property, which is not contraband of war, should he exempted from seizure by any belligerents at sea. The American doctrine is consonant with the modern spirit which tends to restrict belligerent rights to acts undoubtedly essential to tho prosecution of a war, while safeguarding neutral rights. What Germany means by freedom of the seas is the right to replenish her stores by unrestricted trade with all nations during war.” a coalition: COPENHAGEN, Nov.. 7. The Croatian National Council has decided to seek a union with Serbia.