QUITTING VIENNA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 1 December 1916, Page 5

QUITTING VIENNA.

K PEACE OVERTURES. THE AMERICAN MOVEMENT. DIRECTED BY PRO-GERMANS. EMPIRE’S STEEN DECISION. LONDON, Nov 29. The Times says that the latest American peace campaign is the most influential yet launched. Jacob Uxhieffy, head of the New York banking house of Kubin, Loeb and Company, and J. Speyer, brother of Sir Edward Speyer, the noted London banker, are pulling th e strings in common. They have immense political and financial resources, and are endeavouring to work up peace feeling sufficiently great to influence Congress The Times’ Washington correspondent says that although the active proGermanism behind the movement makes the great bulk of American opinion suspicious, there is an increasing section of American intellectuals convinced that the time has come' for peace. The Times, commenting on this, points out that German agents are enabled to use the. American Peace Leagues for their own ends, because nehtral countries think the British Government’s weakness and indecision reflects public opinion. They believe that a war-tired Empire acquiesces in tMh Cabinet’s weakness aud indecision. It concludes by emphasising that the whole of the Empire possesses a stern and unalterable decision to continue the war till the Prussian menace is utterly crushed; therefore American intorfereuce is unthinkable. COUNTERACTING INTRIGUE. IRISH MEMBER’S SUGGESTION. LONDON, Nov 29. In the House of Commons Mr Swift McNeil (Nationalist member for South Donegal) suggested that with the object of counteracting peace intrigues the Allies should publicly declare that they will not cease fighting while the Germans occupy any Allied territory. Mr Bonar Law said that the question was one fon the Allies in concert. The advisability of the suggested announcement was doubtful, because it might be taken to mean that that was all we asked

AFTER THE WAR

GERMANY’S TRADE PLANS NEW YORK, Nov 29. The New York Times’ Berlin correreports that financiers are making most elaborate plans to regain trade after the war. A far-reaching amalgamation of the largest shipping, iron and coal owners, including Krupps, Slices, the Norddeutscher Lloyd and the Hamburg-Amerika companies has been arranged. FEARED A BULLET. , i KAISER IN VIENNA WHY HE HURRIED AWAY. LONDON, Nov 29 It is not believed in Vienna that the Kaisen was suffering from a cold. It is believed that the real reason for hia hurried departure was that he feared assassination It is reported that only five people were allovred to see the Kaiser in Vienna. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. THE SUBJECT DISCUSSED. LONDON Nov 30. In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law stated that Mr Asquith and himself had discussed with the Prime Minof Canada, Australia and New Zealand the general principle, and the best method of procedure involved in an Imperial Conefrenee. It was impossible to make any further .statement on the subject

KAISER FEARS AUSTRIAN BULLET SUPREME EFFORTS FOR PEACE SIMULTANEOUS WITH ROUMANIAN THRUST GERMANS ADVANCING ON BUCHAREST ROUMANIANS STILL SEEM CONFIDENT HEADQUARTERS STAFF STAND FIRM

Hollweg added: “The death of Franz Josef only moans the passing of the sceptre to younger hands, which have the same firm determination. Austria will stand shoulder to shoulder with Germany in the common impulse that indicates her. Imperial destiny.

ASSISTANCE TO PORTUGAL. LONDON Nov 30. In the House of Commons, Hon. McKenna said the Government had undertaken to financially assist Portugal, but it was not desirable to state the precise form or amount at present COLOURED LABOUR. LONDON, Nov 30 The Parliamentary Labour Party passed a resolution emphatically protesting against the introduction of coloured labour, and warning the Government against its reported contemplated step. AUSTRIAN AFFAIRS. "THE UNCROWNED PRINCESS.” BERNE, Nov 30 The late Emperor Franz Josef’s will bequeathed a million kronen to the actress Madame Schpaat, who was closely connected with the Emperor for many years, and was known as the uncrowned empress.

HOLLWEG’S GERMAN BLUFF. SUBTLE WRANGLING FOE PEACE MENTIONS MIGHTY MOBILISATION. BRINGING IN EVERY MAN. Received 8.55 NEW YORK, Nov 30. A Berlin correspondent interviewed Hollweg, who said: “Again we have declared our willingness to enter into negotiations for peace, but there was no response. Our attitude in some quarters is represented as being dictated by weakness So far, surely, as the events of the past year have demonstrated, we didn't speak out of weakness nor. fear, just as events of the coming year will demonstrate. If we adhere to our willingness to consider cessation of the struggle we arc obeying the simple dictates of humanity, and not with ally apprehension. I say this without concern for the ultimate issue The struggle will, however, be prolonged but under solemn consciousnes of the sanctity of the flame of life, which should not lightly be extinguished by any human misunderstandings which common counsel might dissipate The Chancellor, shrugging his shoulders, continued: “But, of course, our enemies are obdurate, and choose to continue in their hopeless endeavour, we shall only continue to make them pay the bitter, price for their folly. The German soul is resolute and undaunted Against our firm and far-reach-ing line the billows of attack break in vain. There is nothing to affright us in any quarter. To-morrow we embark on an enterprise of defence staggering in its magnitude. There has never been a mobilisation of national energy on so great a scale. An act for mobilisation fon non-military service will be introduced in the Reichstag tomorrow (Wednesday). Germany is absolutely determined to carry the war through and is summoning the whole power of a united people. Yet, while our will grows more determined to carry the struggle to any length accessary, to ensure our national integrity and destiny, it has ever been, and is now, our desire to resume amicable exertions for peace as soon as we are allowed. Hollweg quoted extracts from speeches by President Wilson, Mr Asquith, and his own speech in the Reichstag, and contended that all evidenced a desire for a world tribunal to enforce peace, and he commented on the similarity of sentiment in all the speech-

ON THE SEA.

THE CHANNEL RAID,

FURTHER SINKINGS. *

ZEEBRUGGE HARBOUR

DID COMBINATION

JOINED UP,

A RAPID RUNAWAY

“RUTHLESS MEN’’ WANTED.

LONDON, Nov 29

In the House of Commons today, answering Mr R. P. Houston, Unionist member for West Texteth, Mr Balfour said the vice-admiral commanding flit* Dover patrol reported on the night of Hie 2drd enemy destroyers attempted to pass south inside the Downs, but came into contact with the Ramsgate patrol in the dark. The enemy made off before our vessels could engage. The last enemy vessel fined twelve shots at two armed drifters,- hitting one and doing slight damage. The destroyers did not enter the Channel. He still entertained the idea that if the enemy entered the Channel it would not get out again without serious disaster.

Mr Houston: “Does the Admiralty forget that attack is one of the surest forms of defence, and we require ruthless fighting men in the Admiralty.”

Mr Balfour: “Those general principles are perfectly sound in the abstract, but if you mean that the Admiralty must use warships to attack batteries on shore ruthlessly it is not a policy I shall ever be responsible for. ’ ’ Mr Houston: “I spoke of submarines. ’ ’ Mr Balfour: W e have not spared submarines when there was a chance of destroying them. GENERALLY APPROVED. THE ADMIRALTY CHANGES. DECIDED ON WEEKS AGO. LONDON, Nov 29. Admiral Beatty’s promotion, and Admiral Jellicoe’s translation to the Admiralty is generally approved. Mr Balfour added that the decision was made some time ago, but the announcement was delayed for military reasons. SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN. MANY BEING BUILT. • TO ATTACK. FOOD ROUTES. LONDON, Nov 29. It is reliably reported that the German shipyards are concentrating on the construction of ocean-going super submarines. They arc turning out two weekly, similar to U 55, which operated on the American coast, in order to attack British food supply.

LONDON, Nov 30,

Eight sinkings by submarines are reported. They include the King Malcolm (3031 tons), Reapwell (3417), Moresby (1783). Referring to a German statement that the cruiser Newcastle was mined and sunk on the 15th inst, 27 of the crew being killed and 45 wounded, the Admiralty denies it as a fabrication, stating that no vessel was sunk in the North Sea between the 12th and 18th.

A NEST OF SMALL CRAFT

LONDON, Nov 30

In the House of oCramons, Mr Houston asked why no effective measures had been taken to destroy Zeebrugge when monitors and shallow water craft specially built for this work were available for operations against this nest of small craft. Mr Balfour'refused to answer. He said what the member termed a "nest of small craft” was a naval base defended by powerful shore batteries.

Mr Houston: Is it not a fact that monitors built for this work were gent on the futile Dardanelles venture?

Mr Balfour: I cannot discuss the Dardanelles,

ATTACK BY NAVAL AEROPLANES,

LONDON, Nov 30

The Admiralty reports that naval aeroplanes attacked Zeebrugge harbour on Tuesday afternoon. The results were not observed owing to the weather.

BRITISH NAVAL CHANGES

JELLICOE AND BEATTY A SPLEN

LONDON, Nov 30

The Times, in a leader, says: Ho living sailor could bring to Whitehall the prestige enjoyed by Adnriral Jcllicoe. He is clear of all cliques, and possesses the temperament necessary for the head of a'great organisation. Admiral Beatty is the embodiment of the aggressive spirit of the navy, and possesses the confidence of subordinated. Such a combination cannot do everything. It would be sheer blindness to expect everything to bo well henceforth. The weakness is not in the soldiers and sailors The real reforms are still to come. Sir John Jcllicoe has already assumed his position at Whitehall. Admiral Jackson will bo invested with larger administrative powers at Grccuwich >( particularly the educational aspect. The changes will obviate the necessity for a secret session.

THE ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN.

MACKENSEN AND FALKENHAYN

AMSTERDAM, Nov 29

Advices from Sofia state that von Falkenhayn has joined up with von Mackonscn at Salatina, SO miles east of Bucharest,, the Bulgarian cavalry first crossing near Gambia in the Alt valley. The enemy is advancing in a solid front, comparable with the invasion of Servia. ‘ GERMAN STORY OF FIGHTING. THE ROUMANIAN ADVANCE. RETREAT OF DEFENDERS. LONDON, Nov 29. A German official message says that Russian attacks at many points in the wooded Carpathians and eastern Transylvania gained the usual local advantages. General von Falkenhayn is advancing victoriously on the whole Wallachian front, the enemy retiring eastward in disorder. The movements of the Danube army correspond with those forces operating farther north. ROUMANIANS STILL RETREATING GERMANS OCCUPY FOUR TOWNS. CONDON, Nov 30.

A Russian communique says: In Western Wallachia the Roumanians are falling back eastward, under enemy pressure. The enemy has occupied four towns on the AlexandriaZemnita roads, and advanced in the direction of Koulongoureki. A German communique claims the capture of Petesci, an important railroad junction in Roumania. A Roumanian communique says: An enemy attack in the Prahova Valley was repulsed. There was intense ar tillerying elsewhere, but otherwise the position is unchanged. RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE. ON ROUMANIAN FRONTIER. PROGRESS AT KIRLIBABA. LONDON, Nov 29. A Russian communique'indicates that a Russian offensive has commenced on the wooded Carpathians on the Moldavian frontier. It says: “We captured ridges on the heights east and south of Kirlibaba Pass, which crosses the Carpathians close to the junction of the Roumanian and Bukovvina frontiers. i

RUSSO-BRITISH CO-OPERA-TION. AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT. LONDON Nov 30. Count Benskemlorflf presided at the Chamber of Commerce. He, read the Czar’s message reciprocating the promoters’ endeavour to develop trade relations between the two countries which would lead to further strengthening of the existing bond of mutual friendship and understanding. The King sent a letter approving of the Chamber’s efforts, and hoping for a drawing closer of the bonds of sympathy and friendship, and assisting in the developing of trade relationship. Lord Robert Cecil said it was essential, if commercial intercourse was to be ’close and permanent, that existing differences regarding language, coinage and credit must be overcome. It was of the greatest importance that British firms should have representatives in Russia. SAFE CONDUCT REFUSED. TO AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR. LONDON, Nov 30. Reuter has been informed that the British refusal of safe conduct for M. Tarnowski (the Austrian Ambassador) is due to the illegitimate activities of Austro-German embassies in the United States.

WASHINGTON. Nov 30

The United States has forwarded notes to Britain and France requesting x’econsideration of the refusal to grant sefe conduct to Tarnowski. It is scmi-ofiicially stated that the Government points out the inalienable right of sovereign nations to exchange ambassadors and insist that a third nation, even in war time, is unjustified in denying that right. The representations are based on international right, not international courtesy, making it clear that the United States is not asking a favour. Diplomatic circles are surprised at Britain’s refusal of safe conduct, to tne new Austrian Ambassador. The Administration resents Britain's decision. POLISH AUTONOM.Y. POLAND'S FUTU.RU LONDON, Nov 30. Cracow reports that German efforts to form a Provisional National Council failed, prominent Poles refusing to join

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE

LONDON, Nov 29

General Sir Douglas Haig reports in termittent enemy shelling from Guede court to the south of Arras, and con sidorable trench-mortar activity at Ma quissart anj Ncuve Chapelle.

LEAGUE TO ENFORCE PEACI

WASHINGTON Nov 30

Mr Taft, Preidcnt of the League to Enforce Peace, has made a statement that the league does not seek to end the war for the sole purpose of a postwar league of nations. The statement is regarded as a snub to pro-German members, who are advocating a movement to end the war. NEW YORK. Nov 30

Air Taft states that Jacob Schieff, who advocated tuition-wide peace meetings, voiced liis personal views, not the opinions ■of the League tp Enforce Peace. The league passed a resolution repudiating .Schieff’s movement.