IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 14 May 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

ZEEBRUGGE ATTACKED

AMSTERDAM, May 12.

There was an extensive aerial bombardment of Zeebrugge at throe o 'clock on Saturday morning. Subsequently there was a heavy naval bombardmeat lasting for 90 minutes. Terrific explosions shook the surrounding country. LORD DERBY'S OPINION. WE ARE BOUND TO WIN. IF EVERYONE DOES HIS UTMOST. Received 10.20. LONDON, May 12. Lord Derby, speaking at Liverpool, said that nobody could say that any nation had complete air supremacy, but without fear of contradiction he could say that on essential days in the Somme and Arras battles, the supremacy was absolutely ours. Without it it was impossible to do what we | had done. H£ believed that during ' the present mSnth we had better brains at work in this country improving aeroplanes than any .other countrv in the world. He had every reason to be optimistic in regard to the general outlook of the war. We were bound to win if all done their best. There was no place in this country for anyone not working with all his power for the war.

IN EGYPT. GOOD WORK BY TROOPS Received 9.50 a.m. CAIRO, May 133. The Australian Light Horse and Mounted Yeomanry constantly harry the enemy at Gaza, gaining prisoners al most daily, 429 being taken in minor encounters in 'April. Our aircraft is also active, reconnoitring and bombing troops and lines of communication. The British artillery is most effective, scoring direct hits on enemy guns ,blov."ing up munition dumps and ammuntion stores, the latter exploding with vast detonations, which are heard for miles. CHINA REFUSES WAR. OPPOSED IN THE LOWER HOUSE. PEKING, May 11. After athrough Thursday night the House of Representatives refused to pass a resolrtion to declare war on Germany. Parliament was surrounded y a mob which demanded war. The Premier addressed the House, urging the declaration of war, but was denounced by members opposed to the Avar party. GERMANY'S INTERNAL TROUBLES. THE GERMAN CHANCELLORSHIP. IF BETHMANN lIOLLWEG RESIGNS. Received 9.15 a.m. NEW YORK, May 12. The Times' Hague correspondent quotes Count Reventlow in the Tages Zeitung as saying: "I learn that Hollweg has s + "ted if he resigns Count Bernstorff will succeed him. Bornstorff has recently had a lengthy conference with the Kaiser. It is Hollweg's intention to threaten the junkers

and reactionaries "it> the possibility of petting a more democratic Chancellor. '' BELGIANS NOT TO FIGHT FOR GERMANY Received 10.15 a.m. AMSTERDAM, May 133. In reply to Herr Kuknes, a Socialist has stated in the Reichstag that the War O'nce had instructed commanders to dismiss any Belgian illegally incorporated in the German army. POLAND'S FUTURE. CONFERENCE AT STOCKHOLM. Received 10.15 a.m. STOCKHOLM, May 13. M. Birgens Nyhetcr states a Polish Nation's Conference is assembling at Stockholm. There will be present many representatives from various parts of Poland, including members of the new Government established by Germany and Austria in the occupied territory. The questions for discussion include: Shall New Poland join Russia or the Central Powers? Shall it be a republic or monarchy? Also the economic conditions, especially in regard to the ownership of property in the occupied territory and financing Poland. It is proposed to obtain money from neutrals, as the belligerents are likely to be financially exhausted after the war.