THE WAR

Levin Daily Chronicle, 22 February 1917, Page 3

THE WAR

(Australia-New gealanc. Cable Service)

MAMMOTH AEROPLANES. London, February 22. The journal '"Aeroplane" states that the new giant British machines recently testgd attained a height of 7000 feet, carrying 20 passengers and a pilot. ATLANTIC HAIDER AT LARGE. New York, Feb. 21. A iMallory liner's wireless operator declares that a German raider still roves the mid-Atlantic. She was last sighted a thousand miles west of Gibralter.]

(Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) aaetk-.... -i. ■■ '--I gjsagaaJft GERMANS IN HONOLULU. .Washington, Feb. 21. Honolulu advices indicate that the German population there fully expected a rupture with the United States of America. Eight Gefinan vessels are interned. According to statements, officers of the vessels had a f'iot arranged to 'blow them up. A • wireless signal was agreed upon, involving not only the vessels in Honolulu but those along the Pacific coast. The message, apparently harmless, read "Do you wji.nt stores?" but to the Germans it meant "Diplomatic relations are ruptured; destroy ships." Tho order was promptly executed in Honolulu. Six merchant vessels and the gunboat Geier quickly were in flames, but in each case the fires were overcome, though the vessels were more or less damaged. The machinery also was smashed. The Honolulu State police, under official instructions, assumed control of all the vessels.

THE WESTERN FRONT. The German press is speculating on the position on the western front, and admit the thoroughness and far-reach-ing nature of the .British preparation, but assert that the British cannot break through, and express a hope that open fighting will replace trench warfare. They iare confident of repeating the Rumanian successes. They say that the British armies have stood the testj but lack certain qualities that .the Germans possess.

THE AMERICAN FLEET "Major Moraht, a German military critic, neers at the American fleet, and says it will only supply a broader target for the U boats.

LORD FISHER. London, Feb. 21. Sir Edward Care on Announces that Lord Fisher has joined the Admiralty in the capacity of President of the Inventions "'Board.

BRITISH AGRICULTURAL POLICY. London, February 21. The Central News Agency says that the Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George on Thursday next will unfold a definite agricultural policy, which will be much more than a war-time expedient. It is expected to assure farmers reasonable prices for a fairly' long period. LONDON CHRONICLE VIEWS. "The Daily Chronicle say 6 that no one iniitl disagree with the Ball-four Committee's first resolution as to the necessity for stimulating production. An agreement upon dominions' preference may not be difficult. The third resolution, in favor of wider duties, wlvich will be reducible upon dominion

products, is distinctly controversial and involves a direct plunge into Chamberlain's Imperial preference. Chamberlain's gloomy prophecies have not been fulfilled, despite adherence to free trade, but the Chronicle would be glad to see the question carefully re-examined. . The Allies must not hold a post-war threat against neutrals ; if barred against Germany as a post-war condition they would be driven.to trade with neutrals.

ESPIONAGE. - Washington, Feb. 21. Tlie Senate has passed an 'Espionage Bill. (Reuter's Message). The Espionage, Bfll authorizes the President to use armed forces to /enforce neutrality. The regulations provide that tlie selling of' codes, signal books, or models of aeroplanes to. any foreign government in peace time will be punishable with twenty years' imprisonment; in war time to imprisonjiieir for life. Persons communicating to the enemy prohibited news or movements of forces will be punishable with death or five and thirty years' imprisonment. The regulations also authorize the seizure of munitions ships destined to the enemy of any nation wherewith America is at peace. IMPERIAL UNITY. London, February 21. The Leader newspaper says that the Burleigh committee's report is a great step towards imperial unity. Tlie

resolutions are based on true grounds for the whole .Empire's benefit. Pre- , i'erence is essential to the future safety j and closer union of the Empire. Post- . war economic alliance must be indc- j pendent of the enemy's raw materials - and manufactures. j | j TURiKS YIELD EX MASSE. j From a place in Mesopotamia, Mr Candler writes that our attack j on Dntraloop was followed by a 1.-ig ' northward drive which pushed .back the Turks to their last Tigris strong- j hold. Resistance was of .the slightest, j the Turks surrendering to the advan- j cing infantry waves en masse, tlie i whole line waving white rags. The J gunners tried to prevent this by shoot- j ing down the surrenderers, but prisoners informed the British "You too many guns; we don't wish to counterattack." There were similar scenes ! during the second attack on the right i flank, in the afternoon, the Turks throwing away rifles and leaving tho trenches as soon as the infantry advanced. The prisoners almost out. j numbering them doubled past the attackers, running the gauntlet of their own guns and flapping white rags till they, reached the British trenches, surrendering writli laugMng, cheeriul gestures and i