GENERAL CABLES.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 June 1918, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES.

GERMANY AND BELGIUM. NEVEE AGREED TO RESTORE. LONDON, June 20. Mr Balfour, speaking in the House of Comomns to-day, said that Germany had never undertaken to give up Belgium or to restore her economic and political independence. He ridculed the idea that treaties stood in the way of peace. The Allies were ready collectively to listen to all reasonable suggestions. GERMANY'S WAR BABIES. SYYDNEY, June 21. Confirmatory of statements that Germany was taking measures to ensure the increase of population, a Sydney lady had received a letter from her sister in England, which states' that a friend of hers had a young German governess, who, at the outbreak of war, returned to Berlin. This girl, writing to her former mistress, says:—"You will be interested to hear that I am officially about to become a mother, confirmatory of the fate of many unmarried girls to-day in Germany." THE MADSEN GUN. Received 9.10 a.m. s LONDON, June 21. Mr MacPherson, in the House of Commons, said the Madsen gun was not so accurate as the Lewis gun. The military authorities also believed it was not humanly possible for any machine gun to have the opportunity of firing 50,000 rounds in one day. No general would allow troops tc go into action with the Madsen gun as it stood, as the flash could be seen hundreds of yards away, and the gunner would be wiped out in a quarter of an hour. It would be sheer murder to ask soldiers to use It, but improvements might be made; if so, the gun would be re-tried. r<

THE ROYAL SILVER WEDDING.

A- RED CROSS SCHEME. . Received 9.45 a.m. •?• -■■■■'■ LONDON, June 21. In order to mark the Royal Silver wedding the Red Cross is appealing for gifts of silver articles and old silver, -which will be sold to assist the Red Cross work. The scheme has been taken up enthusiastically throughout the Kingdom. It has been suggested that a similar scheme be taken up by the overseas dominions. AFTEE THE WAR TRADE. BLOCKING GERMAN ACTIVITIES. Received 10.55 a.m. 1 LONDON, June 21. The Morning Post urges the Dominion's Prime Ministers to concentrate upon a decision regarding the supply of raw materials The Germans have already secured large- quantities in South America and elsewhere, and are ready to import as soon as the rrar is over. Germany claims to have three million tons of shipping available for raw materials, and manufacturers calculate she will have great advantage over the Allies, who will be forced to use much shipping to transport troops. The Morning Post urges that the enemy shipping, even in enemy ports, should be confiscated and utilised by the Allies. The paper states: We have, however, a virtual monopoly in certain raw materials and thus might have the whip-hand over Germany. Nothing thus far,has been done to carry out the resolution of the Paris Conference and Lord Balfour of Burleigh's reports.

ALLIED ADVANCE ON ALBANIA Received 10.55 a.m. WASHINGTON, June 21 An official dispatch from Athens states the French troops have prepared the way for an allied advance on Albania.