THE WAR

Levin Daily Chronicle, 8 February 1917, Page 3

THE WAR

(Australia-New Zealand Cable Serviced EUROPES IRELAND. Petrograd, February 7. The Clzar has summoned a conference to discuss- Poland's future organisation and her relations to the Russian Empire. Some newspapers draw attention to the concluding phrase, and say it suggests a free Poland with personal or political union with Russia. Sazanoff, who drafted a scheme for Polish autonomy before his retirement, will be a member of the conference. VESSELS TORPEDOED. ■London, February 7. The British steamers Ciliftonian and Palm Leaf, the sailing ship Bedford, and! also the Norwegian sailer Thorescond, have been 'torpedoed. Hie Cliftonian is of 4303 tons and the Thorescond .2144 tons. , THE DUTCH FRONTIER. The London DaTly Telegraph's Itottsrdam correspondent states that German concentrations on the frontier of illoilarid {continue, (including cavalry. Many Dutch inhabitants have packed up in readiness to depart. A semi-official Berlin message states that Germany's enemies are trying to spread a belief that Germany:'s concession to Holland is . a sign of weakness. SUBMARINE WAR, Count iHeJjffeiiich now fctatps that the new submarine war has for its object a shortening of the war. It must be remembered that any additional suffering by neutrals will- •be small compared with the tsuflferings England has caused them. There can be no question of retracing steps. FRANCE IN ARMS. Paris, February 7. The Government shortly will be introducing a bill to economise the work of mobilising the entire nation. PRESIDENT WILSON'S NOTE. London, February. 7. The present position is that Switzerland has negatived President Wilson's proposal; Holland probably will not come up to President iWilson's expectations; Spain has replied that in the meantime her Government has refused to suspend shipping; Scandinavia is negotiating mutually; Brazil has sent a strong note to Germany; Chile and the Argentine stand! firmly by Brazil. It is pointed out here that Germany's period of grace expired to-night. Further submarinings include the Swedish steamer Beavalla (1519 tons) and the Norwegian sailev3 Wasdale {1856 tons) and Hongdal (2089 tons). I

CONFERENCE SUGGESTED Rome, February 7. The Idea Nazionale states that Germany lias addressed a Note to neutrals inviting a conference on shipping questions. THE PRESIDENT'S PROBLEM. Copenhagen, Feb. 7. The Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Governments received President "Wilson's 'Note yesterday, and are negotiating for a joint reply. Berne, February 7. Switzerland, in reply to President Wilson, remarks that her geographical position prevents her from examining the problem in the same light as America.

THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN. (Received This Day l'l a.m. ) Washington, Feb. 7. The State Department has decided that American liners are not to be converted (to be?), contending that America has an inalienable right to the high seas. Rio Janiero, Feb. 7. Brazil's protest against submarining has been sent to Berlin. The Bolivian -Minister says that Bolivia also protests. San Diego, Feb. 7. It is considered unlikely that Argentina or Chile will co-operate with the United States.

U.S. WHEAT. Chicago, February 7. The visible wheat supply is 6.053,000 bushels.

STEAMERS SUNK. ("Times" Service.) London, February 7. Steamers recorded on Tuesday as having been sunk totalled 37,000 tons. FOOD ~SOAROITY. The London Times warns the nation to 1 expect continued serious shipping losses, and that everybody must rigidly adhere to the rations scale. European neutrals are unlikely to rupture diplomatic relations. Their people are depressed, and generally favor continued neutrality. GERMAN SHIPS TOTALLY DISABLED. New York, Feb. 5. -Machinery to the value of £6,000.000 lias been destroyed on German liners at this port alone. The vessels have been totally disabled. The crews had a code message from .Washington to do the wrecking. DYE FACTORY BLOWN UP. (Router Telegram). - Amsterdam, 7. Bayie/r Company's great Analino Factory at Leverskrusen has been blown up. Two streets were destroyed and many people killed. PRISONERS RELEASE®. The Vossisclie Zeitung states that 72 American prisoners aboard the Yarrowdale are being released. The paper that the Authorities are

not aware of when the Americans joined the vessel, and states that armed merchantmen are regarded by Germany as warships. AMBASSADORS. London, Feb. 7. The iDaiJyi Telegraph's Copenhagen, correspondent reports that it is officially stated that Mr Gerard, the U.S. Ambassador, will not be allowed to leave Berlin until Germany is satisfied as to Count Bernstorff's treats ment in the United States. BRITISH WAR LOAN. The War Savings Committee has caused a temporary obliteration of the frontages of buildings on three sides of Trafalgar Square, with exhortations to the people to subscribe to the loan. The buildings include the IN ational Art Gallery.

INSURANCE OF NEUTRAL VESSELS. The new scheme of war insurance of neutral vessels begins to-day. COMPULSORY TRAINING. 'Bombay, Feb. 7. The Indian Government has ordered compulsory training of Europeans in India. . THE BLOCKADE. Copenhagen, Feb. 7. It is understood that Denmark's reply states that Denmark's and the United States' positions are so different that comparison'is impossible; also that the Scandinavian Governments are discussing their attitude towards the German blockade. Probably their replies will too identical. ANOTHER EXPLOSION. Amsterdam, Feb. 7. An explosion at Nobel's works at Selsbough (near Cologne) killed 200 people, mostly women, and destroyed the works. DISTRESS IN HOLLAND. The sufferings of poorer people are becoming much more acute. The severity of the weather aggravates the misery, and disturbances have occurred in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Gravest anxiety exists, and there is *a widespread protest against the Government not having suppressed food smuggling to Germany. The frontier guard is charged- with complicity. Rumours that Germany hopes to import increased quantities of food in return for manufactures deepens the public alarm. SPAIN EMBARRASSED. Madrid, Feb. 7. Spain's economic position is increasingly grave. Barcelona and Valencia are threatened with ruin. The Canary Island are reported to be on the verge of starvation. There is much unemployment in Spain and outbursts are feared. The Germanophile and German-owned press is exploiting the situation and attempting to coerce the Government to support Germany. BREAK WITH GERMANY. Washington, Feb. 7.. The Senate, voting 78 to 5, endorsed President Wilson's break with Germany. AMERICAN LINER SUNK. The American Consul at Queeustown repoirts the sinking of the Anchor liner California. One passenger is dead and thirty are in hospital.