A GERMAN WHINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1918, Page 3

A GERMAN WHINE.

OVER ARMISTICE TERMS.

f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

(Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) NEW YORK November 27. Dr Dosch Flourot in a message from Berlin, via Copenhagen, states lio interviewed Horr Erzobergor, who sffid —“I signed the armistice because thero was not anything else to do since. We had reached a political crisis and we could not continue the war without disaster, but oven while I signed it, I believed it would not be possiblo to conform to the agreement, and I protested to Marshal Foeh who did not believe in my sincerity, and the urgency of our protest. He thought it was a German ruse ,designed to gain time for the preparation of a new attack, and did not seem to realise that we were forced to sign any conditions, because Germany must have peace. I do not see how we can meet our obligations without weakening the country seriously and causing grave political results. The evacuation of France and Belgium by the troops in the time allowed, is impossible. Common sense will dictate a further extension of time- ! hut even so, we aro leaving behind the army’s provisions which were larger than (the food reserves in Germany. Wo fear the Gorman troops furtherest from the Rhine will become panicky fearing they will not reached the Rhino in time, and thus will bo interned. This may result in disorder which would have had consequences on the young German democracy. Germany has about nine hundred thousand railroad ears of which 250,000 are 'now in Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Roumania. These are useless and the remainder are not enough even if put to their maximum of use. The surrender of one hundred and fifty thousand ears within the armistice period will make the car situation in the interior of Germany most difficult. Our railroad equipment is sadly war worn. We are required bv the armistice fo deliver only good material and the demand for several thousand locomotives when one third of our locomotives are unworkable is enormous. The armistice provided for food to be sent to Germany during the armistice, but there is not yet any sign of such food, and wo need ill. , miscellaneous news.

rAUSTRALIAN &-N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

A PECULIAR MESSAGE.

SYDNEY, Nov. 17,

Some doubt has been caused by an extraordinary message from London stating that some German ships are to lie sunk. The message distinctly says, “Battleships” but it is suggested that it refers to merchantmen, ns lino is no quesion of establishing the ownership of battleships.

The cable. is a Reuter message, via Vancouver, from London, and it states:

—“Captured German battleships will be sunk when their ownership is established, the Entente not desiring to risk controversies.”

DISASTROUS EXPLOSION

(Reuter’s Telegram.)

LONDON,

Nov. 26

Damage was done at Silvortown by an explosion to the value ot a million and three quarter pounds sterling.

BIG SHIPPING DEAL.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26

, It is offieailly announced that the United States Government will purchase 83 vessels, totalling approximately 1,000,000 deadweight tons from the International Mercantile Marine. This aenon by America prevents the ownership of the vessels passing into British hands, as an English syndicate was negotiating for the purchase of the vessels.

NEW ZEALAND AIR SQUADRON. A BRILLIANT RECORD.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 27

Some interesting information is now available concerning the part which New Zealanders have played in the air fighting against the enemy on the Western Front. A famous lighting squadron was the 74th, and during the last seven months of the war, it was composed entirely of New Zealanders. Previous to that time it was commanded by Captain A. Ball, V.C., D.S. 0., M. 0., who was accounted the best single air fighter in the British Service. He was killed, and Major Caldwell, a New Zealander, succeeded to the command. Some of the officers with him were Major Callender, Captain Cooke, Lieuts. (filer and Gray, all of whom were decorated, with the exception of Lieut. Gray, who was captured by the Germans.

It may bo added that an air squadron consists of IS machines —-three flights of six machines each —and that all the New Zealanders comprising the 74th Squadron received 'their initial training in air work in New Zealand.

SOLDIERS’ SERVICE

LONDON, Nov. 26

The War Office announces that with a view to providing men for overseas garrisons and for necessary reserves at Home, soldiers may extend their periods. of service for two, three or four years, this entitling them to bounties £'2o, £4O. and £SO respectively.

AMERICA’S DANGER

NEW YORK, Nov. 26

Some hundreds of soldiers attacked a mass meeting of International Socialists in the Madison Square garden, New York.

Bolshevik doctrines were being expounded at the mooting. Many arrests were made afterwards of those attending the meeting, their offence being that of waving red flags.

SIBERIAN CAMPAIGN,

NEW YORK, Nov. 26

Dispatches from V ladivostock say that General Semonoff, the Cossack leader, lias interrupted telegraphic communieatipu between Omsk and Vladivostock, and bos asserted his jurisdiction over the Amur, Ussuri, and transBaikal districts, and has established his headquarters at Chita,