GENERAL CABLES.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 March 1919, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES.

GERMAN SHIPPING SURRENDER.

PARIS NEWSPAPERS IN DIG

NANT.

Received 11 a.m

PARIS, MarchS,

Newspapers indignantly comment on the German attempt at bargaining regarding the surrender of shipping. It is suggested that the W7cimar Government wfant to convince the Germans they are strongly resisting exorbitant demands. Ilie Allies are not likely to make the slightest concession.

It is estimated that it will cost eighty millions sterling to feed Germany until the next harvest.

The American delegation on the Commission for for War declares it is unlable to judge of the Kaiser’s responsibility as America came into the war after the events occurred. This is regarded as a weak argument, as America being neutral at the outbreak of war is in a position to form an independent judgment.

A DEADLY CAMP RIOT. CANADIANS BREAK LOOSE. LONDON, March 7. /The ‘‘‘Liverpool Express”’ s'|ato/s that in a riot at the Canadian camp at Rhyl the rioters wrecked and plundered the camp, seized ammunition, and fusiladed the officers’ quarters. The riot was quelled by machine guns after two days. It is variously estimated that from five to twenty,seven men were killed and from twenty-five to seventy-three wounded.- The grievances related to pay and demobilisation.

TERRIBLE INNDICTMENT OF MODERN HUNS.

'AN ACCOUNT TO BE GIVEN.

LODON, March 7

Official The Sub-Commission dealing "with the facts relating to the responsibility (for the war and the violation of the laws of war and the principles of humanity, has submitted an interim report. It forms a terrible indictment against the enemy Powers. Mr. Massey was chairman of the sub-commission, and also the chairman of its drafting committee. The sub-commission, after eliminat ing weak cases, states that facts arc sufficiently established to justify inter alia, the conclusions that the war was premeditated by the Central Powers together with Turkey and Bulgaria, and was the results of acts deliberately committed in order to make it unavoidable. Also, that the "war was carried on by the Central Empires and their allies by barbarous and illegitimate methods in violation of the established laws and customs of war and elementary principles of humanity.

The sub-commission enumerates enemies’ offences into over thirty separate and distinct groups which beggar all previous calendars of crime and have no parallel in history. The list includes: Massacres, torture, starvation, deportation, brutal internment of civilians, rape, adbuction for enforced prostitution, pillage, wanton destruction of religious snd historic buildings "and, monuments, the sudden and brutal sinking of merchant, passenger, relief, and hospital ships, the abuse of the Red Cross and flags of truce, the use of poisonous gases, explosive Rets, poisoning wells, and the ili-vroatmcnt of prisoners of war.

Probably a .tribunal will be set up to deal with the offenders whose names and positions are not in the meantime published for obvious reasons.

The main commission has not yet made its final report. PARIS March 8.

The Daily Mail referring to Mr. Mascy’s work Jon the Commission says members appreciated his practical views of policy matters. He has directness of method and shrewd judgment.

UNITED STATES (NAVAL PRO-

GRAMME.

!• WASHINGTON. March 7. j Mr Daniels will leave the United States for Europe on March 15, accompanied by naval experts, for the Ipurpose of studying the best type of capital ship for the American nlavy. He will visit Paris, London, and •Rome.

CZECHOSLOVAKS.

ON THE VERGE OF FAMINE.

BERNE, March 6

The Czccho-iSlovVlua Republic, including Prague, is on the verge of famine. Staple comestibles arc exhausted and the population cannot hold out until the harvest. Hospital

patients at Prague are dying from inattention.

PARIS, Mlarch S.

The Conference has decided to send a committee to the Adriatic to enquire into the question of the detention of the food supplies destined for 'Czec ho - Sio vaJfia. The Commission is prepared to send the necessary Ihbour to prevent further starvation in the interior.

The Czech authorities have discovered an anti-Ally espionage plot directed from the Gormlan Consulate under cover of the Red Cross.

CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN i

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS

LONDON, March 8

In the House of Commons, Mr. Thomas moved the rejection ,of the Naval and Military Service Bill, which empowers the retention of forces considered necessary until 1920. Mr Thomas said that the Bill was a breach of the Government’s non-conscription pledges. If Britain became conscript, the war would leave us vanquished. Labour would accept the challenge.

The Hon. Winston Churchill, in reply, said the Government did not want conscription. It was doing its utmost at the Peace Conference to abolish conscription throughout Europe, but had not yet succeded. Wo stood almost alone there. Mr Thomas’ amendment was 'urei jectod by 304 to 71, and the Bill was road a second time.

GERMANY’S FOOD SUPPLY

u —— WEIMAR ASSEMBLY ALARMKD

CONFISCATION OF WEALTH

LONDON, February 23.

Mr Charles Tower, •writing to "The Times” from Weimar, slates that Herr Erzbergcr, the German armistice delegate, in the course of his justification of the extensions of the armistice, frightened the Assembly by stating that acceptable methods of financing the purchase of food from the Allies must be devised within a fortnight, and that if the holders of foreign securities did not surrender them voluntarily the Government must confiscate them. German workmen would be faced with an a periling famine in May and June if they did not produce exports which could be exchanged for foods. A telegram was read in the Assembly from B'erlin urging the closing of all dance halls as a sign of mourning and the placing of various restmints on waste and extravagance. Probably (he rich people are convinced that confiscation of wealth is inevitable, and, anyhow, they are trying to enjoy it as long as possible.

PARTITION OF ENEMY LANDS

N.Z. TO HAVE SAMOA

HONDO, March 8

There are indications that the Conference’s final territorial scheme will be as follows; — The United tSates accepts the mandate for Armenia and Italy for the districts between Smyrna and Armenia, Smyrna being reserved to Greece.

The French mandate covers Syria, including Alexandretta and Damascus ■ —Britain receiving the mandate for Mesopotamia, Palestine, and German East Africa, while France overlooks the greater part of the Uameroons and Togoland. South Afgrica receives the mandate for South-West Africa. All the islands in the Pacific north of the equator go to Japan, those south of the line to Australia, except Samoa, which goes to New Zealand.