CRISIS PETERING OUT

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 10 February 1917, Page 5

CRISIS PETERING OUT

AMERICA AND GERMANY. GERMANY WILL STRIKE THROUGH MEXICO. * ______ i Received 9.45. NEW YORK, Feb. 9. The Providence Journal says Germany will strike at the United States through Mexico, and declares she has information that Bernstorff has smuggled three hundred officers, some of whom were formerly aboard the interned liners, to Mexico City. A filibustering party has shipped large quantities of arms and ammunition from New York.

GERMANY AND THE NEUTRAL POWERS.

LONDON, Feb. 9

NOT CAUGHT NAPPING.

GERARD'S MOVEMENTS. AVERTING WAR A FORLORN HOPE Received 9.35. NEW YORK, Feb 9. A Eerlin correspondent states that a special train will probably leave Berlin to-morrow for Berne, carrying Ambassador Gerard and staff, consuls, and other Americans. WASHINGTON, Feb 9. The State Department has not been advised whether Gerard has received "his passports, and has inquired from Berlin. are expressing a forlorn hope that war may be averted, when Bernstorff reaches Berlin, as he may assuage the Kaiser. Henry 7 Ford announces if there Is war he will loan one hundred million dollars to the Government without interest. CRISIS PETERING OUT. * Received 9.35. WASHINGTON, Feb 9. The United States will not fight unless an American ship is proved to be deliberately torpedoed under circumstances admitting of no extenuation. No American ships are now on the high seas. The crisis is petering out.

LONDON, Feb. 9

HOLLAND'S ATTITUDE

THE HAGUE. Feb. 8

SPAi:i'3 E2PL7

AUSTP-IA ANXIOUS TO AVSET RUPTURE. VIENNA, Feb. S. The conferences at the Foreign Office with the United States Ambassador continue in the hope of preventing a rupture. Thus far no definite result \ has been obtained. The effort to delay the Tupture is based on the fact that the submarine piracy is being carried on under the German flag, and moreover, that there is little American shipping in the Mediterranean. WASHINGTON, Feb. 8. Despite the California and other sidings, and the Gerard incident, it is believed that President Wilson, while of opinion that war is not far off, will await the clearest breach of international law, thus securing an indisputable issue. LONDON, Feb. 9. The American Embassy estimates that there are 2600 Americans residing in Germany. The Government continues to treat American journalists properly, but has announced that guarantees cannot be given in the future POLICE GUARDING THE CAPITOL. Received 11.15. WASHINGTON. Feo 9. Only the main doors of the Capitol will hereafter be open. Fifty extra police are guarding the building. WILSON FORESTALLED. Received 11.45. BUDAPEST, Feb 9. Count Tisza, the Hungarian Premier, informed the members of his party, before sending the Note regarding ruth less submarining, the Central Powers sounded all European neutrals regarding the possible attitude. As a result of their inquiries the Central Powers lefflit there was no danger of any European neutral undertaking warlike • action ar-ir-st Austro-Germany. It was then 6c. ,•..: to send the 'Szic.

CAMP

Received 9.55. LONDON, Feb 9

A BIG NAVAI BATTLE PHEWCT6D ^ 1 —» FURTHER BRITISH SUCCESS IMPORTANT GROUND WON AND RETAINED SUBMARINING IN FULL SWING 46 MERCHANTMEN SUNK IN'ONE WEEK

"Fairplay" says that by forcing the neutrals into the arena Germany will defeat her own ends. At the outbreak of war, 588 German steamers, with a tonnage of 2,408,450, refuged in neutral ports, of which seventy-two, with a tonnage of 553,859 arc in the United States. The entry of Portugal reduced the total by seventy-one ,with a tonnage of 231,799. If all or part of this tonnage is placed on the market it will to a considerable extent undo the work of the submarines.

A prominent trade union official connected with engineering and shipbuilding, said that Germany had not altogether caught us napping. If the Admiralty gave some evidence of the results of the measures already taken it would prove a great moral assurance to the public. While the information was not forthcoming the people must maintain quiet confidence.

The Premier, in the Second Chamber, defined Holland's attitude. The Government had; Vithjerfco moingained a fixed independent attitude, and there was no reason now to act otherwise, although they had lodged a strong protest against Germany's attitude, which could not be considered to be in conformity with the principles of international law. Holland desired to emphasise the principle of the freedom of the seas. The Government will certainly oppose by force of arms any violation of the neutrality of its territory, whichever side it; might come from.'

aiADBID, Fob. 8. Spain's reply to Berlin and Vienna ; t .'.a been published. It states that •paiv cannot agree to the maritime proceedings of the Central Powers and hopes they will be withdrawn. Failing this Spain will take all measures to safeguard her national dignity. It is announced in Madrid that all political leaders met and decided to support the Government. Parliament will authorise ample credit*.

PROBABLE SPLIT IN ENEMY

A wireless Italian semi-official message states there is increasingly active opposition in the- Bulgarian Sobranje, with a view of reducing Bulgarian activities in the war. Troops have recently been withdrawn from Bucharest. They only remain in the Dobrudja. German pressure to combat this attitude has been without result. Austria also desired the Bulgarians to participate on the Italian front, but the proposition produced tumult in the Sobranje, the session ending in an indescribable scuffle.

BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM. SUGAR RESTRICTIONS. LONDON, Feb S. The Press B'ureau reports that the Food Controller prohibits dealings in sugar without a permit outside the United Kingdom, and requires returns of stocks, brewers' stocks, stocks In warehouses, and new arrivals. BRITISH WAR CREDITS. LONDON. Feb. 0. Monday's credit vote will be for £550,000,000. whereof £200.000,000 are needed for war purposes till the end of March, making the financial year's total £1,950,000,000, which is £850,000, OCO in cscess of Mr McKcnna 's estimate.

ON THE SEA. : SUBMARINE SINKINGS. Received 9.55. LONDON, Feb. 9. The Norwegian sailer Songcly (2003 tons) has been sunk. The survivors state that a German submarine captured an unknown Italian vessel. A prize crew was put on board, the name painted out, and the vessel navigated until she Efink the Turino, Kollingside and Songcly, transferring the crews to the Italian, who were later transferred to the British steamer Penmount, and landed. SUBMARINE FRIGHTFULNESS . BRITAIN'S .DEFENSIVE MEASURES. SUCCESSFUL NEW SCHEMES. LONDON, Feb. 9. Naval circles are reticent regarding the submarine position, though they state that the latest methods have proved highly effective. Though many losses must be expected, wc have now in our possession means for destroying submarines or rendering them ineffective, which will ultimately solve the problem. The public must not expect a speedy collapse of the menace, on which Germany has staked all. The Admiralty Board has dealt with several new schemes for destroying submarines recently, including one of which the details are a closely guarded secret, though it is announced that experiments have shown the invention to be capable of performing all the inventor claims.

AMERICAN STEAMERS SAIL. Received 11.15. NEW YORK, Feb 9. The first American vessels bound io Europe since the new submarine zone was proclaimed started to-day. They are: Oil tanker, Goldshell, for Rouen; freighter, Orlean, for Bordeaux. BIG NAVAL BATTLE PREDICTED. GERMAN FLEET WILL SHORTLY COME OUT. Received 9.55. i WASHINGTON, Feb 9. Officials close to the British Embassy believe there is no question but that the German fleet will shortly come out, and a great battle occur in the North Sea. RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN. RECENT RUSSIAN SUCCESSES.' CAUSE GERMAN WITHDRAWALS. Received 9.55. PETROGRAD, Feb. 9. The Nord Sud Agency states that the recent Russian successes are resulting in the enemy's withdrawal from Braila and Focsani, placing Galatz out of danger. One of Germany's latest ruses is to leave candles in abandoned trenches which explode when half burnt. Many unsuspecting Russians have suffered therefrom. BRITISH POLITICS. LONDON, Feb 8. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law announced that a credit vote would be asked for on Monday. He moved to confine the session to Government Bills.

FURTHER VICTIMS. LONDON, Feb 8. Sixteen vessels were reported submarined to-day, including the Swedish Varing (2107 tons), the British Vedamore (G 330 tons), and the Saxonian (4855 tons), the American schooner Charles Ksohull (884 tons left the gulf port for Rotterdam and was sunk west of Tortugas on Sunday. The other sinkings were small trawlers. GERMANY'S DISAPPOINTMENT. BERNE, Feb 8. Statements in the German press indicate that the results of the first week's submarine frightfulness were below expectations. Captain Persius, in an article, emphasised the British Navy's powers of defence against the submarines. The "Berliner Zeitung" says Brit-

ish cruisers or destroyers are escorting all ships 'entering the danger zone. The "Vossiche Zeitung" says elaborate British patrols have been established.

HOW THE CALIFORNIA WAS CAUGHT.

LONDON, Feb S

The second officer of the California states there were thirty-two passengers and 173 in the crew. After a terrific shock the boats were lowered. The passengers behaved splendidly. Members of the crew assert that a submarine appeared on each side of the liner and escape was .impossible.

They received no warning, and the

vessel foundered in seven minutes. The captain remained aboard till she sunk, but was subsequently rescued. The missing include the chief engineer, third officer and engineer. Survivors state that four passengers and twenty of the crew were killed. Thirteen passengers and twenty-eight of the crew are missing.

LONDON, Feb 8

Details of the sinking of the California are still conflicting. The latest reports show that there were 170 aboard, including thirty-two passengers. The survivors were an Jipur in the boats before being rescued and were almost destitute of clothes. THE FATE OF THE LARSKRUSE. LONDON, Feb S. The chief engineer of the Larskruse has arrived at Copenhagen. He is the sole survivor of a crew of eighteen. He says they were not warned and were sunk in a rough sea. The captain not knowing of Germany's decree, entered the danger zone. The "Journal of Commerce" estimates that a maximum of a hundred submarines are now attacking the Allied shipping. Germany commenced the war with fifty and has since built two hundred, while a hundred have been destroyed and fifty must always be refitting and restoring in home ports. A WEEK'S UNRESTRICTED SINKINGS. Received 11.45. LONDON, Feb 9. The Manchester Guardian says the approximate sinkings for the first week of unrestricted submarining are forty-three merchantmen, of one hundred thousand tonnage, in addition to trawlers, smacks, and vessels" known to have been mined.

Several members protested and urged the consideration of women's franchise and the state of Ireland, which they alleged was becoming optical. Mr. Bonar Law replied that in this very acute crisis they must noc occupy the Commons with controversial subjects. The motion was carried without a division. Mr. Bonar Law announced his intention of introducing a Bill to deprive enemy princes of British titles. On the resumption of the debate on the Address-in-Reply, Mr. Leslie Scott moved to express regret that the Speech omitted reference to the necessity for stimulating the country's food production, coupled with a comprehensive agricultural policy. The condition of agriculture, he said, was appalling. Two hundred thousand workers were required immediately. The fixing of the prices of products without fixing the prices to farmers had of necessity resulted in chacs.

BIG BUILDING PROGRAMME ARRANGED. LONDON, Feb 8. In the House of Commons, Sir Lcc Ciozza Money, for the Shipping Controller, stated that arrangements were progressing for a large new construction of standardised merchantmen. They were not sparing their efforts to utilise to the utmost compatible with the needs of the Admiralty. INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. FRENCH DETERMINATION. PARIS, Feb 8. The Minister of Commerce has introduced a Bill in the Senate mobilising males from sixteen to seventy, who will be called on for military or civil duties unless they are incurable. It is understood that the workers will only be fully called up in the event of volunteers being insufficient. ATHENS SHORT OF BREAD. ATHENS, Feb S. Disorder and some rioting has been occasioned by the lack of flour, due to the blockade. The bread ration has been reduced to 160 grammes per head daily. ALSACE HUNGER STRICKEN. LONDON, Feb 9. The population of Alsace are hunger stricken. All foodstuffs have been removed to the interior of Germany. ARMY RUGBY. NEW ZEALAND V. A.S.C. Received 9.55. LONDON, Feb 9. The greatest interest attaches to the forthcoming Rugby match on the 17th February at Richmond, when a New Zealand team from France will play the unbeaten Army Service Corps team. The New Zealand team has been given a few days' leave.

ON THE WESTERN FRONT. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH OPERATIONS. LONDON, Feb. 9. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We attacked important positions on the highest point at Sailly-Saillisel hill and gained the whole of our objectives. We followed up the capture of Grandecourt vigorously, on both banks of th e Ancre and made considerable further progress. We captured Baillcscourt Farm on the Beaucourt-Miraumont road, also a trench between Grandecourt and 'Our old front line, with further prisoners. Our gain on the Ancre since, the New Year represents an average of three-quarters of a mile on a three-mile front. We [raided trenches of Bouehavesncs, killing a number in the dug-outs. We bombed and repulsed two attempted raids in the 'neighbourhoods! iof Guedeeourt and La Bassee. There has been considerable reciprocal tiitillerying near Armentiercs and Ypres. and a large explosion was caused in the enemy's lines. ENEMY MAKING READY. AMSTERDAM, Feb. 8. Frontier correspondents report that the Germans are concenthating an enormous amount of artillery in Northern France. Fresh contingents of troops are arriving in Flanders, mostly infantry of the old reserve classes, FRENCH REPORT LIVELY ARTILLERY WORK. LONDON, Feb. 9. A French communique says: There was lively artillerying at Hill 304 and Avocourt Wood. French aeroplanes bombed military establishments at Lahr, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, and an aerodrome at Mariankere. A GERMAN REPORT. LONDON, Feb. 9. A wireless German official report says: The British attacked northwards of Bouehavesncs. Their initial success was equalised by our counterattack.

THE DECISIVE STAGE. ACTIVITY IN THE WEST. LONDON, Jan. 2. In a most interesting article in the "Paris Journal" "Colonel X" states that the adversaries on the West front have been continually testing their respective strengths along the whole line, and especially in the regions of former battles of the Somme, Meusc, Champagne and Argonne, while the Vosges, Wocvre and Aisne fronts are also waking up. The writer: points out that similar trials of strength preceded the battle of the Xomme,, the British having executed no fewer than 70 raids on the front between Ypres and the Somme between June 24 and July 1. The present situation is greatly similar.

Router's .VmsteTdpm correspondent says that Berlin papers print a report of a speech by Dr Helfferieh, German Minister for the Interior, at a dinner hi Berlin to the presidents of enemy Parliaments. '' Our enemies,'' he said, "must learn that we have not a military caste, but merely a great national army which will be victorious by virtue of our Divine right to existence. 7 '

The President of the Austrian Lower House stated that the peace message spnang "from the principle that the strong man must yield." The coining and final fight, he said, would be the hardest of the war, and most bloody sacrifices would be demanded. Mr Frederick Palmer, the American war correspondent, in a speech in New York, said that the summer would be the decisive period of the war, and Germany would be forced to yield to the Allies' terms.

IN GERMANY. KRUPP'S PROFITS DOWN". SECOND WAR DIVIDEND FALLS BY HALF. AMSTERDAM, Dee. 1. German newspapers to-day publish the statement that hi the second year; of the war Krupp's arc "losing'' money. The great cannon firm at Essen distributed a- dividend of 24 per cent, last year. This year only 12 per cent, is to be handed to the shareholders. This year's gross profit was close on £5,000,000, and last year it was £6.000, 000, while the net profit is £2,500.000 instead of £4.300,000 last year. The publication of these figures will cause great surprise throughout Germany, where it is believed that the .more cannon and ammunition Krupp's made the more money they earned. The reason assigned for this remarkable decline in profits is the increasing dearth of raw stuffs and the purchase of new plants, especially in Bavaria, whero Krupp's are now erecting branches. Another reason is the enforced increase in wages, without which Krupp's would undoubtedly have been tin scene of many labour riots. Krupp's balance-sheet., while not impoverishing Fran Bertha Krupp nor her shareholders, among whom are the Kaiser, the Crown Prince, and many, other war princes in Germany and Austria, may be taken as an excellent object lesson. It is recorded that 31,000 of Krupp's staif are now with the colours, of whom 2000 have received the Iron Cross.

LOST GROUND ADMITTED. Received 11.45. LONDON, Fet> 9. A German official message states: We repulsed an English attack near Serre. We lost ground near Bailiescourt. The English attacked north of St. Pierre Avaast Wood, which was retained on a small front. During January we lost 34 aeroplanes and the English, French, and Russian 54. FOOD SHORTAGE. DISTURBANCES IN AMSTERDAM. Received 9.55. ROTTERDAM, Feb. 9. Disturbances continue in Amsterdam. Fuel is practically exhausted, and potatoes are most scarce. Greengrocers' shops are plundered, and the police are guarding the docks and warehouses. OUR MINISTERS AT HOME. THE WEAK POINTS IN EMPIRE'S ARMOUR REVEALED. Received 11.45. LONDON, FeD 8.

A PE&VERSION 0? PACTS,

MR WILSON'S "IMPERTINENCES

Mr. Massey, in an article in the Pall Mall Gazette, said one of the most valuable lessons of the war teaches how wise is the utilisation of women-power in a certain sphere, which will release a vast amount of man-power for development of the resources of the Empire and secure its future progress and prosperity . Men will demand and receive a larger measure of the product of their toil, while the stress of competition will be lessened by the opening of broader fields of opportunity. There is dawning a new era of industrial prosperity, based on co-operation. The very forces which the enemy have set in motion have enabled the Empire to realise its common perils, its powers, and possibilities, and revealed the weak points in the Empire's armour.

That wonderful journal, the Rhein-isch-Westfalischc Zeitung, printed an ingenious version of the recent incident off the 'American coast, when the submarine liner Deutsehland sank one of her OAvn tugs, drowned seven men, and was detained until she had given securities to make good the £17,400 damages she had done. The Krupp organ says:—

"If the arming of merchant ships for which they are crying out in Kngland be really intended only as a means of defence, the dastardly attempt to destroy the Deutsehland in American waters by a British motor boat shows the more conclusively that this great merchant ship, which the fleets of five groat nations have been chasing is more than ever entitled to bo fully armed. What do the Americans say to this fresh attempt of the British to sink without warning and under their very eyes a German ship of commerce Is America determined to add one more to Iter long list of impertinences by allowing German seamen in her waters to be treated as outlaws? This we shall never allow. On the contrary we will employ every means at our disposal to prevent it.''