CABLE SUMMARY.

Otaki Mail, 6 January 1919, Page 3

CABLE SUMMARY.

NEWS IN BRIEF. London, December 31. The Army, Navy and Air Force at (lie date of the armistice numbered six and a half millions, though Britain’s total war effort represented over ten millions.- Thus far 270,000 have been demobilised, 115,000 prisoner* have been repatriated, and 390,000 munition workers have been released, Railway and shipping facilities in France and England make it impossible to increase the rate of demobilisation. ' When all prisoners have been repatriated the speed of demobilisation will bo increased. New York, January 2. A report from Wierengen states thatthe ex-Crown Prince unsuccessfully attempted to escape from exile. London, January 1. Reports from Holland state that the Kaiser has a cold, and is in a high fever, and unable to leave his bed. Sydney, January 3. During the year, 490 S buildings were erected in Sydney, at a total cost of £3,72fi,596. Melbourne, January 3. • The maternity bonus claims to date represent. 99 per cent, of the total births since the Act became operative. It is . understood that the Ministry is con- . sidering the limitation of the bonus according to the salary of the bread-win-ner. London, January 1. The ‘‘Evening Standard” states authoritatively that Holland has agreed to Britain’s request to use the Scheldt for transmission of supplies to Allied troops in Germany under the commercial flag. The ‘‘Daily "Mail” states that affairs in Russia are causing deep anxiety to the Allies, and the Russian question is likely to be the first to be discussed at . the Peace Conference. Britain is opposed to a major expedition to Russia, preferring to see the establishment of a Russian Government. It is unable, however, to discover where the elements necessary to give stability to such a government exist. Marshal Foeli, in consultation with Sir Douglas Haig and other generals, has decided that the size of the Allied Army needed in France leaves a large margin for demobilisation on a selective basis. Ten thousand men can be discharged daily, and increased to 20,000 if on a non-scicefive basis- with the same transport facilities. Mr G. N. Barnes, M.P.. proposes that the armies of all nations should be. limited. National arsenals should be established .whence tlic nations might be rationed. Agressive warfare would 1 then cease.