THE NEUTRAL POWERS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 8 February 1917, Page 5

THE NEUTRAL POWERS

AFRAIB OF GERMANY f CONCENTRATING, TROOPS OM DUTCH FHQMTIEB W 1 " 1 ■ 11 BRITISH SUCCESS IN THE WEST NEUTRAL NATIONS’ PRIVATIONS EXPLOSION AT OERTO FACTORY

ON THE WESTERN FRONT. FIGHTING IN ALSACB AND LORRAINE. ENEMY WORKS WRECKED LONDON, Feb. 6. A French communique states: — “ The enemy, after a violent bombardment, attached north-west of the forest of Parroy, in Lorraine. A detachment penetrated our first line, but was Immediately driven out. “Our reconnaissances after artillery preparation, penetrated the German trenches at three points in the region of Aspach, noivth-west of Altkirch, in Alsace, and wrecked the enemy works. ANOTHER BRITISH ADVANCE. LONDON, Feu c. Sir Douglas I-laig reports: We advanced our line in the neighbourhood of Grandecourt, where a thousand yards .of trench were occupied unopposed.

] GERMANY AND THE NEUi TSAL POWERS. i j GERMANY’S PERIOD OF GRACE i EXPIRED. I | Received 5.45. j LONDON. Feb. 7. | The present position is that Switzerland has negatived Wilson’s proposal Holland probably will not come in, : according to Wilson’s expectations, Spain has replied that the Govcrnj meat refused to suspend shipping in the j meantime. : Scandinavia is negotiating mutually. Brazil has sent a strong note to Germany j Chili and the Argentine stand firm--1 ly by Brazil. j It is pointed out here that Germany’s I period of grace expired to-night. GERMAN CONCENTRATION. ON DUTCH FRONTIER. Received 8.45. LONDON, Fob. 7. The Daily Telegraph’s Rotterdam cornespondent states that German concentration on the Dutch frontier continues, including cavlary. Many Dutch inhabitants have packed up in readiness to depart. NO RETRACTING OP SUBMARINING. Received 9.45. LONDON, Feb. 7. A semi-official Berlin message states that Germany”s enemies arc trying to spread the belief that Germany’s concession to Holland is a sign of weakness, Helfferich now states that the object of the new submarine campaign is to shorten the war. It must be remembered that any additional suffering by neutrals is small compared to the shfferings England has caused them. There is no question of retracting the ships Germany has taken. CONFERENCE ON SHIPPING QUESTION. Received 8.45. ROME, Feb. 7. The “Idea Nazionale” states that Germany has addressed a note to the neutral Powers inviting a conference' on the shipping question. PRIVATIONS OF NEUTRALS. Received 11.10. AMSTERDAM, Feb. 7. The sufferings of the poorer people are becoming ranch mone acute, and the severity of the weather aggravates their misery. The disturbances that have occurred at Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague have caused the gravest anxiety. There is a widespread protest against the Government not having suppressed food smuggling to Germany, and the frontier guards have been charged with complicity. The rumour that Germany hopes to import increased quantities of food in return for manufactures deepens the public alarm. GRAVE SITUATION IN SPAIN. Received 11.10. MADRID, Felt. 7. Spain’s economic position is increasingly grave. Barcelona and Valencia are threatened with ruin, and the Canaries are reported to be on ihc verge of starvation. Much unemployment ex- ■ ists in Spain, and outbursts are feared, j Geimianophilo and German-owned press • are exploiting the situation and attempting to coerce the Government to support Germany. MEETING OF REICHSTAG. 'AMSTERDAM, Feb. 6.

Eastward of Beaucourt aircraft bombed an enemy aerodrome, considerable damage being done. Two British aeroplanes were brought down. craft were downed and damaged. BRITISH WAR LOAN. A BISHOP’S PLAN. LONDON, Feb 6. The Bishop of Birmingham has arranged with bankers to advance him £IOOO. He offers to lend to poorer clergy between £5 and £lO for the War Loan, repayable in monthly instalments. He appeals to the clergy to exhort their congregations to subscribe to the War Loan. The War Loan will close to-morrow.

EXHORTATIONS TO SUBSCRIBE TO LOAN. ia Received 11.10. LONDON, Feb 7. The War Savings Committee has caused the obliteration of the frontages of buildings on three sides of Trafalgar Square with exhortations to subscribe to the War Loan. The buildings include the National Gallery. BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM. ENGLAND SHORT OF BUTTER. LONDON, Feb 6. Owing to the stoppage of shipments Scandinavian and Dutch butter and margarine, the prices of Colonial butter have been raised about eight shillings. Quotations are nominal. Supplies are practically exhxausted, pendthe arrival of several due steamers.

THE POISON TRIAL. « LONDON, Feb. 6. The accused in the conspiracy case at Denby pleaded not and remitted to to-morrow's assizes, served their defence. They were comEXPLOSION NEAR COLOGNE. Deceived 11.10. AMSTERDAM.. Feb. 7. An explosion at Nobel’s works at Silsbaugb, near Cologne, killed two hundred, mostly women, and destroyed the worics. RUSSIAN POLITICS. PARRIS, Feb. 6. <£ Lc Petit correspondent states that an agreement has been reached between the parties for the formation of a non-political Ministry. & GERMAN EXPORTS. THE HAGUE, Feb. 6. It is reported from Germany that all exports from Germany to Hollfjad have been prohibited from the IGth.inst.

The Reichstag will meet on the 22nd inst. Count von Bethmann-Holhveg will make a declaration regarding submarine policy

AMERICA AND GERMANY

ON THE SEA. THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN. Received 8.45. LOIN DON, Feb. 7. The British steamers Cliftouian (4643 tons), Palm Leaf, and a Norwegian sailer Thonescond (2215 tons)' have been torpedoed. Further sinkings include the Swedish steamer Bcavalla (1511) tons), Norwegian sailers Wasdali (1850 tons) and Uongdal (2089 tons). AMERICAN STEAMER FIRED AT. LONDON, Feb 6. Another Admiralty report states that the captain of the American steamer Westwcgo reports that on January 31 a submarine in effectively fired five shots west of Fastnet (south, west of Ireland) and demanded oil, threatening to sink the steamer if she refused.

GERMANY IS HUNGRY

“WILSON THE WICKED LAND

LORD.”

AMSTERDAM, Feb. 7.

A most interesting comment is made by “ Vonwacrts, ” which says: Germany cannot give ill. Germany is hungry. President Wilson seems to us like a rich landlord interfering with a poor hungry devil who gets into trouble with the police for trying to get food required for his life.

MS GERARD SHEDS RESPONSIBILITIES

THE HAGUE, Feb C

Mr Gerard visited the Dutch Minister and handed over the protection of British interests and prisoners. He also visited the Spanish Ambassador, who takes over the protection of other foreigners formerly under . America’s protection.

LONDON, Feb. 7. The Chilian press supports President Wilson’s attitude.

GERMAN SHIPS iT HONOLULU MACH IN Ei? V WRECKED. HONOLULU, Feb. G. The machine y of nine German merchantmen in tin h u hour has been disabled. The crows have now been sent to the immigration station, WILSON’S NOTE TO NEUTRALS. Received 9.45. COPENHAGEN, Feb. 7 The Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Governments received Wilson's note yesterday, and arc negotiating a joint reply. BERNE, Fob. 7 Switzerland’s reply to 'Wilson’s note remarks that the geographical position prevents her examining the position in the same light as America.

SCANDINAVIA ’ S REPLY. Received 11.10. COPENHAGEN, Fob. 7. It is understood that Denmark’s reply to the United States claims that tiie positions are so different that comparisons are impossible. The three Scandinavian Governments are discussing their attitude towards Germany’s blockade. Probably Sweden and Norway’s replies will be identical.

GERARD NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE BERLIN. Received il.lo.

LONDON, Fob. 7,

The Daily Telegraph’s Copenhagen correspondent reports that it is officially stated that Mr Gerard will not be allowed to leave Berlin until Germany is satisfied with Count Bcrnstorff’s treatment in America.

AUSTRIA’S ATTITUDE

SUPPORTS SUBMARINING

Received 11.20, AMSTERDAM, Feb T. tlio first pronouncement of Aus a’s attitude in the new submarin

hig was made by Count Tisza in the Hungarian Parliament. He said they were justified in the use ,of a new weapon on the ground of their adversaries’ army of merchantmen laying new minefields. Moreover, the successful employment of submarines was the best means of securing peace. Even to-day we are still prepared to negotiate peace if we receive a guarantee that our enemies are willing to negotiate, but so long as our enemies desire to take our life w r e are determined to employ every means to gain victory.

Counts Apponyi and Andrassy supported Tisza, but Count Karalzi denounced unrestricted submarinings, and pointed out that two million Hungarians are living in America, and their fate might be serious in the event of war.

AMERICA’S EIGHT TO THE HIGH SEAS. Received 11.10. WASHINGTON, Feb. 7. The State Department has decided that America has an inalienable right to the high seas. RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON. Feb. 0. Russian communique.-—We repulsed an attack near Rissolon, midway between Vladimir Volynski and Lutsk; also enemy attempts south-west of Bmdy. THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. SURPRISE ATTACKS REPULSED. LONDON, Feb. 6. Italian official. —Enemy surprise attacks in the darkness and fog against advanced positions in the Garda, Travignolo and San Pellegrino valleys, also south-east of Gorizia wore repulsed with heavv losses.

LATEST SINKINGS. Latest sinkings include the following ; —British vessels Martinfels ana Llordian (sixteen were saved); and the Norwegian vessel Samara. A Dutch steamer disembarked at Vigo 167 of the crews and passengers of vessels recently sunk on the Brazilian coast, including 89 of the crew and seven passengers of the Port Adelaide. The British sailer Bedford was a:so sunk. The steamer Fort Adelaide (late Indiapura) was sunk. The captain ' was made prisoner. A Dutch steamer rescued the crew and passengers. The Central News states that a neutral ambassador will immediately make representations to Germany regarding the Larskruse. It is pointed out that Germany declared in January that she would not interfere with Belgian relief work. ANOTHER CONCESSION. LONDON, Feb 6. The German Admiralty has informed Holland and Spain that ships which are journeying to England will be allowed to reach British ports, but must not leave.

INSURANCE OF NEUTRAL CARGOES, LONDON, Feb 7. The Underwriters are initiating a new insurance for neutral cargoes, far below previous rates, viz., for foodstuffs, munitions and coal, no brokerage, no commission, 50/; to French Atlantic ports; 70/ to Mediterranean. AMERICAN PRISONERS. Received 11.20. AMSTERDAM, Feb 7. The Vossiche Zeitung states' that seventy-two Americans are prisoners aboard the Yarrowdale. They declared they were unaware when they joined the vessel that armed merchantmen were regarded by Germany as warships. A TIMELY WARNING. Received 11.25. LONDON, Feb 7. Tuesday’s sinkings totalled thirtyseven thousand tons. The “Times” warns the nation to expect continued serious shipping losses. Everybody must rigidly adhere to the rations scale. European neutrals are unlikely to rupture diplomatic relations, as their peoples are depressed, anci generally favour continued neutrality. INSURANCE OF NEUTRAL VESSELS. Received 11.10. LONDON, Feb 7. The new scheme of war insurance of neutral vessels begins to-day. SOUTH AMERICA PROTESTS.

Receive'# 11.10. RIO JANEIRO, Feb 7. Brazil’s protest against submarining has been sent to Berlin, The Bolivian Minister says that Bolivia also protests. It is conceded that the Argentine and Chili will co-operate with the United States. IN THE AIR. DUNKIRK BOMBED. LONDON, Feb 8. German official. —A naval seaplane on the 3rd inst. bombed Dunkirk harbour works and started a fire at t-he sheds. DYE WORKS BLOWN UP. Received 11.20. AMSTERDAM, Feb 7. The B'ayers Company’s great anilini works at Levers Krasen has been blown nn. Two streets were destroyed and many people killed.

NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME PREPARING BIG BLOW FOR GERMANY, LONDON, Fob 7. Mr. Lloyd George addressed a public meeting at Westminster to inaugurate Sir Neville chamberlain s national service scheme. Many Mp. London Mayers, and prominent citizens were prese ;t, including representatives of the leading employers and trade unions.

Mr. Arthur Henderson, who presided, said we needed to make a swift answer to Germany’s latest challenge. Military exigencies and national honour rendered it imperative that drafts for the troops abroad should be supplied with unfailing regularity. Sir Neville Chambeflain said the army must be supplied with drafts of young, physically fit men, who alone could stand the terrific strain of modern trench warfare. His problem was to find substitutes, who would prevent the ’essential industries of the country languishing. He had arranged a scheme with the bishops, whereby the work of the clergy might be utilised for other work. Doctors must be mobilised and distributed amongst the civil population. Men already engaged in work of national importance would be asked to enrol, as they might he wanted for similar work in other parts of the country. It was proposed to utilise local authorities and employment exchanges for the enrolment, control and distribution of labour. A minimum wage of 25/ weekly would be established; this included agriculture. The question was —Where could the labour bo found? Wo could not suddenly destroy non-essential trades. Such destruction would interfere with our credit. The least essential trades must fall first. “Germany,” said Sir Neville, “means to starve us out before she herself is starved. National service will deal the enemy a straight blow between the eyes, and bring him to his senses.”

Mr. Lloyd George said B’ritain had sent fewer men to the army and navy,

in proportion to population, than any of the Western Powers. France had provided one in six. We were not shirking our contribution. We were making a larger contribution in other respects. The Navy meant an enormous drain on our man power. If the present voluntary system failed, the nation must have recourse to compulsion. “The community,” he continued, “is entitled to the utmost and best help of every member who participates in its life. If we fail to get the necessary staff by voluntary means, the Government will be guilty of the grossest dereliction of duty if it does not resort to legislation. The submarine campaign is Germany’s set policy. It has been thought out for years, and taught in their schools. We must build ships to protect our merchantmen, in order to demonstrate that murder on the high seas is futile. We can do it, but the nation must be organised.” Mr. Lloyd George concluded: Our patriotism must not be less than Germany’s. Our country is equally worth fighting for. It has been a rich land in the past and is so at present. What riches the future holds depends on the people of to-day. (Cheers). No man who shares this inheritance has a right to pass on its defence to his neighbour. Mr. Chamberlain said the scheme provides for a subsistence allowance of 2/6 per day for volunteers out of a work grant of 3/6 daily for four weeks. The rate of pay for national volunteers is the rate for their job. It might be higher or lower than the'one they have been accustomed. Mr. Chamberlain added that each must take his luck, as the soldiers did. It was impossible to indicate at present the lines on which national industries would proceed. There would certainly be some restrictions in the less essential occupations, but the sharing of machinery plants and labour should enable trades to maintain prosperity after the war.

POLISH AUTONOMY. A CONFERENCE SUMMONED. Received 9.30. PETROGRAD, Feb. 7. The Czar has summoned a conference to discuss Poland, her future organisation and relations with the Russian Empire. Some newspapers draw attention to the concluding phrase, and say that it suggests a free Poland, with personal or political union with Russia. Sazanoff, who drafted the Scheme of Polish autonomy before his retirement will be a member of the conference. DARDANELLES COMMISSION. LONDON, Feb. (i. All the members, except one, signed the Dardanelles Commission’s interim report. Mr. Fisher and Bir Thomas Mackenzie signed They also presented a separate minute.