GENERAL WAR NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 36, 12 February 1916, Page 6

GENERAL WAR NEWS.

EAST AFRICAN FORCES.

GENERAL SMUTS' PROMOTION,

LONDON, February 10.

It is officially announced that General Smuts was offered the command in November, but was unable to accept. The difficulties have been removed, and he now succeeds. He has "been promoted to Lieutc/nant-General. LIENTENANT BERG. RAPID EISE TO FAME. LONDON, February 10. A Berlin wireless states that Lieut. Berg is aged 39. H e joined the Navy as an A.B. at the commencement of the war, and was promoted to be a lieutenant half a year ago. When he left his wife last year he said . she ■would not hear from him for a long time, but she was to have no fear. She had not heard until Berg reached the United States. AMERICA AND GERMANY. LUSITANIA TEOUBLE REPORTED SETTLED. GERMANY TO OFFER AN INDEMNITY. LONDON, February 9. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent in Washington says despatces take v it for granted that Germany's proposals for the settlement of the Lusitania controversy are considered satisfactory. Count Bernstorff will be shortly received, declaring the controversy closed. It is understood that Berlin admits full responsibility and offers an indemnity and guarantees for the future. It is stated that President Wilson will be satisfied if Berlin's present assurances are put in legal' form. It is clear that Germany desire's to keep on friendly terms , with America. Washington is conscious of Count Bernstorff's bluff and recognises that in so far as Germany has forgone systematic submarine warfare this, however, is due more to t-he increasing preventive power of the British Navy than to change of policy. When ' a settlement is reached, Count Bernstorff ■will urge President Wilson s to fulfil his pledge to prod Britain regarding her naval blockade, which, he said, interfered with the trading rights of neutrals. A few Irish carpet-baggers 'will urge President Wilson to prod directly, but the great majority of Americans realise that Britain will refuse to relax her restrictions. THE SKODA EXPLOSION. DUE TO ENEMY DESIGNS. PARIS, February 9. Vienna information confirms the partial destruction of Skoda in addition to the destruction of a gun workshop, and technical bureau with .records and plans. The explosion was caused by a melirfite bomb, 'and was undoubtedly due to criminal hands. Over three hundred were killed and several hundred injured. i