GENERAL CABLES.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 October 1918, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES.

MID-EUROPEAN NATIONS, Received 9 a.m. ■' NEW YORK, Oct 22. Representatives of the Czecho-Slo-vaks, Lithuanians; : Roumanians, Jugoslavs, Ukrainians, Poles, and unredeemed Italians will draft a declaration of independence in the historic Independence Hall at Philadelphia. It is estimated that sixty-five million people of mid-Europe are ; affected. FIRST STEP TO POLISH AUTONOMY. ■ Received 11.40 a.m. AMSTERDAM, Oct 23. The “Vossiche Zeitung” learns from its Vienna cOrerspondent that the Austrian occupation Authorities fin Warsaw : have formally handed over the administration to the Roles,

IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL.

DOMINION REPRESENTATION,

Received 10.20 a.m

LONDON, Oct 23

Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, said the Dominion Governments had kibt yet formally nominated Ministers to act as regular members of the Imperial War Council, hut Mr. R. L. Borden had recently arranged for a Canadian representative to attend any metings occurring. General Smuts was available as a representative of South Africa; Mr Hughes was available to represent Australia. Several meetings had been held since the last plenary sessions. GOVERNMENT TO SELL VESSELS. Received 11.40 a.m. LONDON, Oct 23. The Press Bureau states the Government has decided to sell a limited number of Government-owned vessels to those owners who have lost ships by submarines, in order to replace losses. This decision will not affect the use of vessels during the war emergency, GERMANY FORMS A NEUTRAL COMMISSION. Received 11.40 a.m. AMSTERDAM, Oct 23. Wolff’s Agency announces a neutral commission has been formed, which includes Marquis Villaroba, the Spanish Minister, Van Yollentovin, a Dutch Minister, and three others. An amazing feature is that the direction has been handed to Van Deviance, who was largely responsible for Nurse Cavell’s murder. GERMAN AMNESTY IN BELGIUM. Received 11.40 a,m. AMSTERDAM, Oct 23. The German Governor-General of Belgium has granted an amnesty to all Belgians and neutrals sentenced by German military courts," excepting criminals.

KING GEORGE’S SPEECH. ..

. EFFECT ON AMERICANS. Received 10 a.m. NEW YORK, Oct 23. New York newspapers give prominence to King George’s speech to the Parliamentary delegates. They consider his words, “Victory is within our reach, and we are all agreed it must be a complete victory” is the British opinion concerning the German Note.

BRUCE BAIRNSFATHER ILL.

Received 10 a.m,

NEW YORK, Oct 23

Captain Bruce Bairnsfather has returned to England owing to ill-health

HONOURED .BY AMERICA.

WASHINGTON, October 23,

It is officially announced that President Wilson has awarded the Distinguished Service Medal to Foch, Joffre, Petain, Diaz, Pershing and Gillian. HUNS’ TREATMENT OP PRISONERS. REPORT OF COMMISSION. Rceived 10.40 a.m. LONDON, October 23. The twenty-third report of the Belgian Commission gives details of many atrocities to Belgian prisoners in Germany, including torture at the post for 24 hours, and beating with rifle butts. At Munster in September, 1914, seventeen Belgians were shot because they did not obey quickly enough sentry’s order to line up. The British prisoners state the Bulgars do not treat the British with deliberate cruelty, but the Serbians were viciously illused. Out of fifty thousand only twenty-three thousand survived the brutal handling. British officers saw Serbs regularly beaten often shot without excuse. CRUELTIES TO PRISONERS. TRIAL OF PERSONS SUSPECTED. Received 11.40 a.m.

LONDON, October 23

The’Unionist Liberal War Committee Las,. devoted consideration to the position of war prisoners in Germany and elsewhere.. The Liberal Committee resolved that the Allies as a condition of peace insist on the surrender and trial of all those suspected of cruelties to prisoners. INFLUENZA IN ENGLAND. Received 11.40 a.m. j LONDON, October 23. The ‘influenza epidemic is prevalent throughout the country. Eleven hundred members of the Metropolitan police are suffering, also ia large number of’ firemen. A remarkable feature is that many people arc seized in the streets, and taken to the hospital.