DESPERATE PEACE EFFORTS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 209, 12 October 1916, Page 5

DESPERATE PEACE EFFORTS

OFFICIAL GERMAM PRESS INSISTENT AMERICANS HYPOCRITES AND COWARDS ONE SUPREME COMMAND WANTED FOR THE ALLIED FORGES HUNGARY STARVED INTO PEACE WAR VAIN WITHOUT ANY FOOD ALLIES' STRONG MEASURES IN GREECE

AMERICA WON'T FIGHT. SANCTION OF SUBMARINE CAM?y PAIGN. ELATION IN GERMANY. AMSTERDAM, Oct 10. Germany is elated at the exploits of [he submarines in America, believing that-the wholesale destruction of ship. ping will end the war before the close of the year. It is reported that the Imperial Chancellor, Dr. von B'ethmann Hollweg, made a concession renewing submarine activity conditional on its restriction to American waters. The view he held was that America was unwilling to declare war owing to the Presidential election. Meanwhile submarining in European aeutral waters is disallowed. THE GERMAN STORY. TA&B ROUMANIAN PRISONERS. LONDON, Oct 10. A German communique states: "There have been strong night attacks between the Ancre and the Som. me, .but all were fruitless. "North-west of Lutzk we drove out the Russians from their advanced position. We captured the exit from the Hargita Carola Mountains into the Upper and Lower Alt Valley. "As the result of a three days' battle -& Kronsstadt we took prisoner 1,175 and Captured a mountain west uf the Vulcan Pass. The enemy has achieved small results east of .Monastic on the Fiorina railway." JAPAN'S POLICY PRUDENCE AND CAUTION. WARLIKE ATTITUDE DIiSCLAi-.. NEW YORK, Oct li The Japanese Premier, in an interview, said Japan would not take a, aggressive step towards the Unitec States or any other country so long as Japan's vital interests and dignity were not infringed. Japan's progress among the world Powers, which wa_ inevitable, must be marked with prudence and caution. He did not see any likelihood of more active participation in jthe war. IRASCIBLE MR. GINNELL. DEFIES COURT OF APPEAL. HIS SENTENCE REDUCED. LONDON, Oct 10. The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Mr. J. Ginnell, Irish M.P., at the time of the Sinn Fein revolt, for a breach of the Defence of the Realm Act, in connection with an attempt to interview some .of the prisoners in gaol. The Court, however, reduced the fine by one-half. Mr. Ginnell declared that he would mot pay a penny, and said he would prefer to go to gaol. On the application of Mr. Healy, the Court reduced the term of imprisonment to one-half. HUGE COMMISSION. CONTRACT FOR ARMY HUTS. LONDON, Oct 11. The Blue Book reveals that Sir John Jackson, Ltd., made an offer to Lord Kitchener to erect the army huts without profit in August, 1914. The War Office accepted later, but Jackson requested five per cent, commission upon additional work. The contract finally amounted to £3,250,000, whereupon Jackson's commission was £l7O, 000. The 1 Public Accounts Committee Jiighly criticised the arrangements, the members suggesting it was a bogus offer to do something for mothing, in order to relieve Jackson's from competition later on.

WIN THE WAR FIRST. THEN IMPROVE CONDITIONS. SIR J. G. WARD INTERVIEWED. LONDON, Oct 10. Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed, said that the first thing necessary was to win the war outright, then to bring in improved conditions, especially trade organisation against unscrupulous competitors. Our business is to gain powerful defensive and commercial supremacy, preventing a recurrence of wars similar to the present. ONE OR TWO RAIDERS? GREEK CAPTAIN SAYS HE MET TWO. NEW YORK, Oct 10. The captain of the Greek steamer Patris, reports that his ship was stopped at six on Monday morning 200 miles out by a submarine, which fired three shots. After signals were exchanged the ship was allowed to proceed. She was again stopped at four in the afternoon sixty miles out. The captain is certain the scecond was a different submarine. There is much speculation at present as to the whereabouts of the raider, but the consensus of opinion is that the craft is hiding submerged on the Nantucket shoals. WASHINGTON, Oct 10. America refuses to accept the Allies' contention that neutrals should deny the use of harbours to all submarines. A FORCED ADMISSION. HUNGARY STARVED TO PEACE. COST OF LIVING INCREASE. 95 PER CENT. IN GERMANY. 218 PER CENT. IN HUNGARY. VAIN TO CONQUER PROVINCES. IF THERE IS NO FOOD. Received 10.30. AMSTERDAM, Oct 11. Karolyi, in the Hungarian Diet, pointed out that the cost of living for a family of five in Germany had increased during the war period only 95 per cent, as compared with 218 per cent, in Hungary. We shall probabiy be forced to peace through lack of nourishment It is vain to conquer provinces and obtain military advantage if the population has nothing to eat. If famine forces us to peace it will be shameful and disastrous. NORWAY PROTESTS. AGAINST GERMAN SUBMARINING. Received 10.30. COPENHAGEN Oct 11. The Norwegian Government is protesting against German destruction of Norwegian shipping; ignoring international law and abandoning sailors in open boats in the Arctic. The Government declares it cannot allow torpedoing of vessels not carrying contraband. Germany must guarantee that submarines will not enter Norwegian waters voyaging- northwards. FRENCH NEARING CHAULNES. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ADVANCE. LONDON, October 11 ; A French official report states that south of the Somme we attacked on a front of five kilometres between Berny en Santerre and Chaulnes. I Our infantry carried the position and got past at certain points near; Bovent. The outskirts northwards and westwards of Ablaincourt and the greater part of Chaulnes Wood were conquered, the enemy sustaining considerable loss. 1250 prisoners were taken.

SHORTAGE OF FOOD. THEEE PRIME DIFFICULTIES. SCARCITY OF OIL. LONDON, October 11. Mr. Curtin, the American journalist, writing on the food situation, says the Germans are without butter for war bread and acorn coffee sweetened with saccharine forms a nauseating breakfast. There is no visible deficiency of food for the army ana navy on active service, but the reserves and Landsturmers go very short. An eminent German chemist told Mr Curtin the three prime difficulties were the necessity of propping up the wretched Austrians with stiffening Prussians and Bavarians and the absence of heavy Chilian nitrates, which are essential for the productivity of farms. The nitrates extracted from the air served well in 1916 because it was a damn year, but the absence of imported f«rtiliseia means a steady decrease in 5r av orid oil- >r staples. Lastly the **] difficulty, which is almost insuperable. Many thousands of acres have been sown with sunflowers and poppies, but with small results, v Mr Curtin adds that personally he has lost ten pounds weight during the last three months. The theatres and music halls are well attended, and hors e racing is steadily maintained. Munition workers are squandering their money on diamonds and pearls, which were never bought so freely. SUBMARINE STATIONS FIXED AMSTERDAM, October, 11. The Tyd learns from a German source that German submarine transports are stationed at a fixed time and place in the Atlantic. The new submarine campaign is the result of a compromise with Hollweg and his opponents. ON THE WEST FRONT INCREASED ENEMY ARTILLERY. Received 10.30. LONDON, October 11. General Haig reports increased enemy artillery activity north of Neuvilie St Vaast. We raided trenches south of Hullueh, _•_ DEFINITE APPEAL. FOR PEACE. BY BERNSTORFF'S ORGAN. AMERCAN HYPOCRITES AND COWARDS. NEW YORK, October 11. The Gorman peace move is seen in the demand in the New York Staats \ Zeitung, which is practically Berntstorff's organ, for America to immediately appeal to belligerents to end the war. The Staats Zeitung bitterly complains of American peace organisations and individual peace advocates, who< the newspaper says, "Desire only their particular brand of peace. So long as Great Britain wins none of them care who is beaten. So long as Germany is defeated none of them care who wins." The newspaper calls Americans hypocrites and cowards for this attitude, and declares "The time to talk peace, if we mean and believe in peace, is now, otherwise w<» should for ever after, -hold our peace." Much significance is attributed to the article, as it is believed it would not have been printed without the express approval of the German Government. ONE SUPREME COMMAND URGED FOR ALLIED TROOPS Received 11.20. ROME, October 11. ! The Giornale d'ltalia suggests one supreme command for the Allied troops from one front, and a united staff with power to transfer troops from one front to another according to strategic needs. ——___— DRIVINGS THE BULGARS. OUT OF MACEDONIA. z LONDON, Oct 11. The War Office, reporting from Salonika, states: We occupied Topolova and Prosenik. Mounteds drove back the enemy cavalry two miles south of Seres. THE ROUMANIANS. A CHANGE OF COMMAND. BUCHAREST, Oct 11. General Averesen has been appointed to command the 2nd Army. Christiesco takes over the Dobrudja command. ..RUSSIANS IN THE CAUCASUS... DRIVING OUT THE TURKS. LONDON, Oct 11. A Russian communique states that in the coastal region of the Caucasus we dislodged Turks from mountain slopes at Soga and Oinardjik, and gained the right bank of the Karshutdarasi as far as the mouth.

GERMAN CASUALTIES. ACCORDNG TO GERMAN LISTS. LONDON, Oct 10. Tke German official lists of casualties reported to September, total 3, 556,000, including 817,000 killed, 249, 967 missing, 178,860 prisonered; but not including naval and colonial casualties. THE BREMEN. SUPPLIED BY AN AMERICAN TENDER. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF DUPLICITY. NEW YORK, Oct 10. The "Tribune" advances the theory that when Berlin recently celebrated the arrival of the Bremen in America., the submarine .had' actually arrived. She entered no port, but got oil and other supplies from a tender which was daily going to sea ostensibly looking for the Bremen, but which was ac: ing as mother ship to U 53 and other submarines. It is officially stated that there is no evidence of a German submarine base in American waters. GERMANY'S FOOD PROBLEM. NATION GROWING THINNER. AN AMERICAN STORY. LONDON, Oct 10. Mr. Curtin, the American correspondent, writes: The German food problem is not serious, but extremely uncomfortable. Some importations are plentiful, particularly chocolate Dutc:; cheese, and Scotch whisky. There are plenty of sardines and Baltic fish, also fresh foods such as seal meat and Polar bear. The lack of fat and oil is the greatest problem. Despite various substitutes, such as sunflower and sardine oils, the whole nation :s growing thinner. Food gifts are now the best presents between friends. The increasing theft of food tickets indicates the growing acuteness of the food problem. GERMAN PRESS CAMPAIGN. IN WAR .PROPAGANDATEN MILLIONS SPENT. Received 1.1.20. BERNE, October 11. The German Foreign Office Budget shows that ton millions sterling were spent on foreign press propaganda during two years of the war; two millions in America, one million in Greece, and £1,200,000 in Anstro-Hungarian newspapers. .. BRITAIN'S WHEAT SCHEME .. BOMBSHELL TO GRAN MERCHANTS VIEW OF VANISHING ■ PROFITS Received 9.30. LONDON, October 11. The Times says that the Government wheat scheme has come as o bombshell to the trade, and merchants frankly recognise that the3 r cannot expect to repeat the profits earned hitherto, but expect the Government to conduct trade through existing channels. They add that consumers, who expect a fall in prices, will be disappointed. AMERICA'S ATTITUDE DEFINED. PRINCIPLE OF NEUTRALITY MAINTAINED. ADVICE TO ELLIGERENTS. WASHINGTON, Oct 10. The American Note says the Allies urge neutrals to prevent belligerent submarines using neutral waters. Owing to the facility the submarines have to avoid supervision and surveillance, the Allies therefore hold the submarine must be excluded from the benefit of the rules of international law regarding the rights of war vessels in neutral waters, and warn neutrals of the great danger of neutral submarines navigating water wherein belligerent submarines are operating.

In reply the United States expresses surprise at what appears to be the endeavour of the Allies to determine the rule of action governing what they regard as a novel situation, and contends that the Allies have not supplied reasons why the rules of international law are inapplicable to submarines. America therefore reserves liberty of action in all respects, and will treat submarines as becomes a Power which for more than a century maintained the principles of neutrality with a high sense of impartiality. The Note concludes that in order, however that there should be no misunderstanding the United States' attitude, the Government holds it a duty for belligerents to distinguish neutral and belligerent submarines, and the responsibility for any neutral submarine, .owing to the neglect of the belligerent to distinguish it must rest entirely with the negligent Power.

NORWAY'S LOSSES. SINCE THE WAR STARTED. Received 9.30. CHRISTIANIA, Oct. 11 Norway's shipping losses since the wan started is 171 vessels, of a tonnage of 235,000; 140 sailors have perished. GERMAN SUBMARINE PROBLEM. SUBMARINES ON U.S. COAST. LLOYDS' WAR RISKS RAISED. LONDON, Oct 10. Hoyds has raised transj-Atlantlc war risks from 30s to 40s. ENGLISH SHIPOWNERS NOT ALARMED. LONDON, Oct 11. The secretary of the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association stated that the submarines in American waters are not alarming. The fact that operations were not bemg conducted on both sides of the Atlantic showed that the Germans had insufficient submarines. We imported nine hundred millions worth of stuff during the jyear ended July. AMERICAN LIE FACTORY. CLOSED BY BRITISH PRESS BUREAU. LONDON, Oct 10. The Press Bureau reports: Certain American newspapers have published an alleged cable from a London correspondent of the International News Service relating to the Jutland battle, whereas such a message was not transmitted. There have been previous instances where messages have been altered out of recognition. On each occasion the New York manager has categorically promised that tl< cident would not recur, but on September 3 published full statements of an air raid allegedly cabled from London. In view of this continued garbling and breach of faith, the International News Service has been excluded by the Press Bureau and debarred from all transmission facilities till further notice. The Press Bureau message adds unofficially: The International News Service belongs to Hearst.

SUCCESSFUL SERVIANS. ATTACKING MONASTIC Received 11.45. LONDON, Oct 11. At Salonika the Allies prisonered 2,616 between the first and tenth. The "Daily Chronicle's" Athens correspondent states: The Serbians report attacks along the whole front before Monastir. They were especially successful on the left bank of the Cerna. SUCCESSFUL FRENCH OPERATIONS. IN THE VOSGES SECTOR. Received 11.50 a.m. LONDON, Oct 11. A French communique states: Organised positions were capturec south of the Somme. Prisoners now total 1377. The enemy violently attacked Synoeholz, in the Vosges and some parties reached our trenches, but were driven back with heavy losses. There were numerous air fights. > CALLING UP OLD MEN. SIXTY TO SIXTY-FIVE. Received 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Oct 11. The "Berliner Tageblatt" announces that Brandenburgers, between 60 anc 65, previously classed as unfit, are to be re-examined. VENIZELOS AT SALONIKA. REVIEWS REVOLUTIONxVRY ARMY Received .11.-15. ROME, October 11. Venizelos visited the Entente representatives at Salonika, and reviewed 20,000 Greek revolutionaries. CONSTANTINE AND MINISTERS A NIGHT LONG CONFERENCE. CHIEF OF STAFF PRESENT. NO DECISION REACHED. Received 11.45. ATHENS. October 11. The Premier admitted that the situation was serious, but declared that do decision had been reached. Cabinet sat all night. There was a lengthy conference between Constar.tine, Lambros, and the Foreign and Marine Ministers. It is noteworthy that the Acting-Chief of the General Staff was present.

TAMING THE GREEK. TIGHTENING ON CONSTANTLNE. Received 11.45. LONDON., October 11: French newspapers hint that the Allies are taking a strong line with Greece. BRITISH POLITICS. 'A SURPRISING ALLIANCE. NATIONALISTS AND SIMONITES Received 17.45. LONDON, October 11. The Manchester Guardian states, the resumption of Parliament will witness an informal alliance between Nationalists and Simonites. It is known the Civil Liberty Group is 120 strong, with a growing number of Liberal sympathisers.