LLOYD GEORGE’S CABINET

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 11 December 1916, Page 5

LLOYD GEORGE’S CABINET

RADICAL CHARGES IN CONSTITUTION SONAR LAW Tl LEAD THE COMMONS (Critical situation in greege CREEK TROOPS FLOCKING TO ATHENS RUSSG-ROUMANIANS STILL RETIRING HUGE CAPTURES CLAIMED BY HUNS

Belgian deportations. A VIGOROUS PROTEST. FROM THE UNITED STATES. i WASHINGON, Dec 8. The text of America’s protest concerning the deportation of Belgians is follows: — The Government of the United States has learned with the greatest concern and regret the policy of the German Government in deporting from Belgium a portion of the civilian population for the purpose of forcing them to labour in Germany. The United States is constrained to protest in a friendly spirit, but in the most solemn manner, against this action, which is in contravention of all precedents and principles of international practice of civilised nations iu the treatment of non-combatants in conquered territory. Furthermore, the Government of the United States is convinced that the effect of this policy, if pursued, will in all probability be fatal to Belgian relief work, which would be generally deplored, and which would assuredly seriously embarrass the German Government.” A GERMAN SOP. 'fel Received 10.15. LONDON, Dec 10. German and Dutch Socialist delegates meet at The Hague on December 7, to discuss the Belgian deportations, the Germans affecting condemnation, and a promise to endeavour to secure repatriation. The visit is regarded as a German sop to neutral opinion, as it was impossible to undertake the mission -without the permission of the Government. ALLIES’ NOTE TO NEUTRALS Received 11.20. PARIS, Dec 10. The Allies’ Note to neutrals protests against the deportation of Belgians as contrary to the principles of international law, to conventions previous to the war signed by Germany, and assurances given on the establishment of a neutral committee for feeding the Belgians. POLISH AUTONOMY. A TIMELY SUGGESTION. Received 9.15. ZURICH, Dec 10. "A prominent Pole suggests as the best means of counter-acting the Aus-tro-German efforts to raise a Polish army, that a proclamation should be issued, giving a solemn guarantee of Polish national autonomy, signed by the Czar and counter-signed by France, England, and Italy. I A LEAGUE OF THE POLISH STATE Received 9.15. ZURICH, Dec 10. Newspapers at Cracow disclose the fact that a league of the Polish State has been organised at Lublin with consent of the authorities and compos, ed of elements supposed to be favourable to Austria’s demands. The Diet is based on universal suffrage, with full legislative guarantees, liberty of discussion and decisions; also a State Council constituted by the diet, such Council to be the diet’s diplomatic organ, its responsible executive, and sole head. ON THE WESTE3RN FRONT." A FRENCH REPORT. Received 10.2 5 LONDON, Dec. 10. tFA French communiq?ae states that nothing of importance has occurred. Our aeroplanes heavily bombed military establishments and railway stations at Martigny and St. Amuorsen.

| AFFAIRS IN FRANCE. I NOT SUFFICIENTLY ACTIVE., MODIFICATION OF HIGH COMMAND Received 8.55 LONDON, Dee. 10. The Daily Graphic publishes a report of the debate in the French Chamber of Deputies, which has passed the censor. It indicates the popular complaint that France is insufficiently active. PARIS, Dec. 10. Lc Matin announces a modification in. the high command of the army, j Henceforth the Government assumes the direction of the war, with two agents for the execution of general strategy —the generalissimo on the Western front and the commander-in-chief in Macedonia; also new men, ‘ whose talents assure them high position. GERMANY TO HOLD CAPTURED TERRITORY. Received 9.15 AMSTERDAM, Dec. 10. Since Mackeusen’s successes in Roumania, the German newspapers are growing averse to any ultimate relinquishment of captured territory. Herr Spalin, leader of the Conbio, in a speech in the Reichtag, said Germans want guarantees of peace, including the extension of territory. The 1 ‘ Leipsigcr Zeitung” says it is essential to Germany’s existence that neither Belgium nor Servia lie reconstructed. HINDENBURG’S VICTIMS. Received 10.15 AMSTERDAM, Dec. 10. Baron von Soden. Bavarian Minister for the interior, and von Kussenstein, War Minister, have resigned, .being .ictims of the Hind cubing regime. ON THE SEA. GERMAN CAPTURES Received 9.5 BERLIN, Dec. 10. An official statement says: Our Flemish naval forces on the night of Decera- • ber 8, captured and brought to harbour the steamer Caledonia, and the Dutch steamer Riepaarts, from Brazil bound for England, cotton-laden. ARRIVAL OF THE DEUTSCHLAND. Received 10.15 NEW YORK, Dec. 10. A Berlin report via Sayville states that the Deutschland arrived off the Wcser mouth. GERMANY’S FOOD PROBLEM NATIONALISING SUPPLIES. Received 9.5 LONDON, Dec 10. An inspired article in the Tageblatt argues that Battocke’s food dictatorship has been a complete failure, as he is not compelling agriculturists to surrender producq. It advocates early legislation to provide for the rationing of the whole Empire, both during and after the war, inasmuch as food difficulties will long outlast hostilities. FOOD OR PEACE. Received 10.15 AMSTERDAM, Dec. 10. Further disclosures of the food posi- | tion have been made in the Prussian j Diet by Socialists, Stroehel urging increased wages for minor State officials, and declared that the mass of the people were starving, especially the railway employees, whose w r ages were insufficient to buy even the allotted food. Stroehel condemned those making war profits, and said that shells were not the only things required. We want food, and if the Finance Minister cannot increase wages let him endeavour to shorten the war. We long for peace.