IN THE BALKANS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 July 1917, Page 5

IN THE BALKANS.

NOT INTERESTED. AMERICA AND THE BALKANS. ' WASHINGTON, July 19 The United States has declined the invitation to participate in the Allied Conference at Paris, a s the principal matter for discussion is the new Balkan policy owing to Greece's entry into the war.

Officials explain that the United , States is not directly interested in the j Balkans. SOUTH AFRICA. . MORTALITY AMONG NATIVE CARRIERsJ M , INQUIRY AS. TO ... CAUSES. Received 8.30. ;. LONDON, July 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Molteno asked the causes of sickness and casualties among native carriers in East Africa, which is stated to reach a monthly average of ten to fifteen per thousand. Mr. MacPherson replied the causes were principally malaria, pneumonia, cerebro-spinal fevar and dysentry. Fifty-two medicals have been 'posted to temporary hospitals, and additional help for South Africa is being obtained. FURTHER BRITISH PROGRESS. LONDON, July 19. East African official—We continued our encircling movement, southward and south-westward of Kilwa, reaching within 11 miles of Mount Sharama after cutting roads through dense bush. We drove out the enemy from strongly-defended positions on the Ruina river. Columns are no.iv moving towards Fakaras, Operos and Mahenge. The entire enemy force in the Scogea area .has been driven towards Mahenge. In co-opration with the Portuguese, we occupied Coemle and pursued the enemy thirty miles north-eastward. GENERAL CABLES REST ROOMS FOR ANZACS. Received 5.40. LONDON, July 20. An Australasian bureau has been established at the Place d'Europa, Paris, to help the Anzacs to provide rest rooms, tea, and guides. PRICES FOR BRITISH SOLDIERS AND SAILORS NEEDS. Received' '9.10. LONDON, July 20. The Federation of Trades Unions is inviting members of both Houses of Parliament to confer with trades

unions at the House of Commons on ugust Ist to consider soldiers' and sailors' pay. It. states the prices for men's needs are enormously increasing, and where the British battalions are brigaded alongside" Colonials the Britisher can only look at the commodities and curse the parsimony which gives him one-sixth of the pay of the Australian and New Zealauder. ft. was not decent for stay-at-homes to talk of patriotism while this scandal continued. NATIONAL SERVICE. A COMPLETE FAILURE. Received 9. 10. LONDON. July 20. It is evident that the National Service scheme is a complete failure, and will shortly close. There has been great expense, and the results are negligible. The functions relating to the control and substitution of labour will be transferred to labour exchanges.