THE WAR

Levin Daily Chronicle, 20 February 1917, Page 3

THE WAR

(AustraLa-New Sealant Cable Servicel

PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS. Washington, Eeb. 17

Ecuador has replied to Mexico's proposal for joint neutral action that in view of the ending of the European war Ecuador suggests a panAmerican Congress be held in Uruguay, in order to obtain a concerted expression of the views of the American Republics.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. Ottawa, February 18. The Premier of Newfoundland has sailed, to attend the Imperial conference in Great Britain. A member of the Newfoundland Ministry states that ■the questions to be dispensed probably will include the unification of Australia and New Zealand with other Pacific possessions, including the former 'German possession, extension of South Africa to include the former Gorman poe. sessions, and the absorption of Newfoundland by Canada.

SPANISH MERCHANT FLEET. Madrid, February 17. Senor Romanones, in the Chamber, said that the entire Spanish merchant fleet had been paralysed since January, but the Government continued to negotiate in the hope of improving the situation, and he believed it soon would obtain the desired result.

CHANGE' IN ENEMY COMMAND

(Times Service). Vienna, February 17. Vice .Admiral Njegovar ha® been appointed to the command of the Austro--H ungarian fleet.

AEROPLANE POSTAL SERVTCFS. Madrid, February 17. The Postmaster-General is inaugurating' an aeroplane postal service. He claims that after the war thousands of naval and military aeroplanes will be available for this purpose.

"AJV UNCONSCIOUS TQOL." ' Berne, February 17. The press urge the recall of the Minister at Washington if it ibe proved that he initiated the negotiations between Germany and America. It is believed that he was the unconscious too] of Count Bernstorff.

('Received This Day 9.45 a.m.) THE YARROW!)AT/E MEN. Washington, iFeb. 17. The State Department announces that a demand was sent on Saturday to Berlin for the release of the Yarrowdale prisoners, and that a message received from the German Government last night say® the prisoners will be released shortly. It is not iknown if this is an answer to the previous enquiry or to Saturday's demand.

BRITISH GAIN'S. London, Feb. 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— -By a successful operation on both banks of the Ancre this morning we progressed considerably. We attacked southward of the river and captured position on a front of 1| miles. Opposite Miraumont and Petit Miraumont we penetrated over a thousand yards and advanced our zone within a few hundred yards of Petit Miraumont.

We captured northward of tlio river an important position on the upper elope of a spur northwards of Bailiescourt Farm on a thousand yards' front. We successfully repulsed a Counter-attack. The enemy's losses were heavy. A'MERIOANI ENGINEER'S STORY.

(Router Service). Baltimore, Feb. 17. An engineer on the American steam, er Mongolia has arrived here. He sta.tes that while in Plymouth he counted 187 captured submarines, including the Deutcshland. Captain Koenig and the crew of the (Deutsdhland are in gaol. VICTORY WAR LOAN. London, Feb. 17. The great eleventh-hour rush on the Victory) War Loan on the Stock Exchange is described as the greatest financial triumph in the world's history. Eager crowds surrounded the banks throughout the day. A feature was the considerable' amount of gold disclosed', apparently hidden in stockings. Hundreds of women sent the Lord Mayor jewellery to sell as gifts for the Exchequer, including valuable necklases, diamond. rings, and watches. Most of the gifts were anonymous.

AUSTRALIA'S WAR MINISTRY. Melbourne, 'Feb. 19. After further 'Jfengthy conf-ererieds with Mr Cook and his own Ministerial colleagues, Mr Hughes has announced the following Ministry, consisting of six Liberals and five Hugliesites, to be known as the Commonwealth War Ministry.— William M. Hughes, ; Prime Minister and Attorney-General. Joseph Cook, Naval Minister. Sir John Forrest, Treasurer. Senator Pearce, Defence Minister. Senator Millen, Vice-president of the Executive Council. AY. A. Watt, Public Works and Railways.

P. Grlyim, Home Affairs and Territories J. A. Jensen, Customs. W. Webster, Postmaster-General. iL. E. Groom, Honorary Minister. Senator E. J. Russell, Honorary Minister.

iM. P€<P OFF'S iLEGISIaATION. London, February 18. The Dailyi Mails Petrograd coi-res-pondent says that M. Protopoff's legislation will remove restrictions on Jews entering commerce, contracting for railways, and forming limited companies. Ho has instructed the „ Governments of the provinces to cease disturbing the Jews.

GERMAN SUBMARINES. Paris, February 18. 'Experts state that German submarine® after a fortnight at sea must be dry docked and have their engines overhauled. They are sent out in

squads, the first of which left port on February 19. There are _fewer than 200 submarines and it takes months to build submarines, train crews and replace losses.

German papers state that the Deutschland now is carrying petrol for other submarines.

(Received This Bay 11.50 a.m.) THE "VICTORY LOAN." London, Eeb. 19. The Rt. Hon. A. Bonar 'Law, in the House of Commons, said the floating of the "Victory Loan" would yield money amounting at least to £700,000,000 without the banks' contribution!.

THE D A RiT>ANFLLiBS BLUNDER. The Dardanelles report will be published in a few days' time. MARIINE LOSSES.. Eleven of the Homedale's crew are missing. The British steamer 11010, 3902 tons, has been sunk. CONFERENCE OF ALLIES. The Petit Parisien's correspondent at iPJetrograd has interviewed ;Lord : Milner, who is in Russia to take part in a conference. He told an inter* I viewer that one of the immediate results of the conference would be the appointment of military and naval committees for regulating and provisioning Russia's armies and securing the 00-operation of British and French specialists. This would be of immense importance in the coming campaign.

GREECE IN TROUBLE. Athens, Feb. 19. Great- British artillery and aerial activity is reported from Salonika. DAYLIGHT SAYING. Rome, Feb. 19. Italy readopte Daylight Saving oil March 25.

FRENCH COMMUNIQUE. CA.-N.Z. and Reuter Service. - * "London, Feb. 19. A French communique states that a Zeppelin on the night of February 17th flew over the Frcnch coast from the Straits of Dover to the suburbs of Boulogne and dropped several bombs without result.

NEW ZEALANDERS HONORED Nine New , Zealanders have ibeen awarded the Military Medal.