MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1918, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ABSO* V tTIO] SHIPPING SHORTAGE. LONDON, Dec. 18. 1 lie Press Bureau states: Jn view the general shipping situation and tl repatriation of tho various expeditio; ary forces and their dependents, litt or no shipipng will lie available for em grant traffic before next autumn i the earliest. INDEMNITY QUESTION. I LONDON, Doe. 18. The “Times” says: German financier are busy .juggling with their estimate of German indemnities, with a view t proving that tho Allies must be me derate in their claims. They admi that the damage done in Belgium air Northern France and the tonnage dot troyed by the' submarines must res tored, but make counter claims. Thes are minutely, and in some instances hu morously, detailed. They include: Pay meat for the destruction of Germany' oversea trade, her colonial interests and her merchant ships seized; tin cost of feeding war prisoners; cost o compulsory business liquidations; tb* damage to the bombed towns, the value of tho abandoned food in France, and the value of the surrendered guns, aero, planes and warships and the AlsaceLorraine railways. MEXICAN OIL RIGHTS. WASHINGTON, Dec. 18. The Washington Press Service learns that it is expected that Britain will ask the United States to settle unstable conditions in Mexico. The .British have been undergoing great difficulties in obtaining rights in Mexico regarding the exportation of oil, and it is felt jus certain that the proposed League of Nations will require tho United States to cause requisite order for the recognition of foreign rights in Mexico. QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT. WASHINGTON December Li. A resolution lias been introduced in the House of Representatives favour- ! ing the punishment of tile Kaiser and his associates. PATHETIC INCIDENTS. i AUSTRALIANS DESTROY THEIR HORSES. 'aUSTBALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION'! LONDON December 17. Owing to tlie cost and difficulty of transportation it has been decided to destroy the Australian Light Horse horses over twelve years of age and to dispose of the remainder locally. The decision has occasioned some pathetic scenes. The men dreading that thenfavourites should pass into slavery aie shooting them. Jinny are finding excuses for so doing, insisting that they arc over age or arranging that the horses meet with accidents. One Brigade shot seven hundred irses in one. night. There is a hope that the best anials will be taken to Central Europe. SOUTI-I AFRICA’S WOOL. tUSTRALTAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] A CAPETOWN, Dec. ]7. In connection with the negotiations iat have been in progress for the purlase of the South African wool slip, le Imperial Government states that le Army Council is no longer interred in securing wool. The"lmperial Government is prepared, jwever, to take 150,000 bales, as tbe suit of a strong desire to place South friea in an equally favourable position i that of the other dominions. If this offer is not acceptable to South friea, the Imperial Government piers to withdraw tlie negotiations, which •(v now quite superfluous from a mili,ry standpoint. NEW BOLIVIAN CABINET. LA PAZ (Bolivia), Dec. 16. A new Bolivian Cabinet has been irmed in order to strengthen the Goirnment in view of the differences beveen Chili and Peru. Tlie Cabinet imprises: Minister of Foreign affaiis, enor A. Cutiorrez, Minister of the itc-rior, Senor Tejada; Minister of Eduction, ’ Senor Bustameli, Minister_ of inance, Senor Dario Gutierrez; Mini;er of Works Senor Vargos; Minister : War Senor Quinteros. A LONG TRIP. (Received This Day at 10.35'. a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19. A Handley Page machine, with Major Jeneral Salmond aboard, landed at Jaleutta from London. PEACE CONFERENCE. (■Received This Dnv a tin 1 5. h -j' » NEW YORK, Dec. 19. The United Press Paris corespondent tates the first conference of American } eace delegation with the President (Coins to-day. Mr Hurley, after a conerence with the President, expressed he hope that the entire American Army vould be brought home by December 919. GREAT RECEPTION TO HAIG. LONDON, Dec. 18. Sir Douglas Haig was given a tremendous reception on arrival in London. EBERT GOVERNMENT RETIRING. WELLINGTON, This Day The High Commission reports fron London, under date Dec. 18tli. at 11.0 a.m. . . . Tlie Ebert Government is retiring.