WAR NEWS BY MAIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1916, Page 6

WAR NEWS BY MAIL.

GREECE DEMOBILISING. HALF OF FORCES TO GO HOME. London, April 11. A wireless message received here from Rome to-day says that half of the anny mobilised by Greece will be temporarily released 1 from service. PEACE IN SIX MONTHS? GERMAN PEOPLE WEARY OF WAR' SACRIFICES. Amsterdam, March 9. "Germany can perhaps hold out for six more months, but by August the war will have to cease, no matter how. We cannot go on for ever." This statement was made by a German business man who has just arrived from Berlin. He declared that just before he left Berlin on Tuesday afternoon serious food riots occurred round the Kaiser's palace in the Friedrichi straussie, winch the' police had to quell with sabres. No information was available as to the/ number. of victims. He states that the economic conditions are terrible, and that, now every sort of food is scarce in Germany. The people are doing wonders, and sacrificing every comfort, but they cannot be expected to do so for ever. They have been told that the capture of Verdun would bring the war to a rpfcrsdy end, but now they know, even from the official admissions, what this fruitless attack has cost in German lives. Never since the beginning of the war have disappointments and anger at the ruthless butchery of young Gcinmn soldiers without any need or result been so general. German finance is also in a bad way. The war loan has been subscribed to only by big concerns which are making money out oi the war. The people have taken no part in it because they have ))o money to invest. The capture of Erzeroum lias smashed up all Germail hopes of ever reaching F.gvpt, and there is considerable dissatisfaction in Berlin with the Turkish army cotvm.uijers. "The situation is generally bad," the informant said. "If there is no peace within six months, Germany may have a revolution. At any rate, the German newspapers give no idea of the true conditions. , Their orders are to mislead their readers at home and abroad systematically, but the truth is leaking out. The Germans are thirsting for peace. "The possibility of a change in the Chancellorship is much discussed in Berlin. Two candidates often mentioned are Hindenburg and, iPrince Bnlow. The man who brings Germany a quick and acceptable peace will be the people's man."

RISK OF INVASION 'VOICED BY PRESS. HOME ARMY MUST BE KEPT READY FOR ACTION. London, March 9. The sinking of the Oreif is not our only naval secret, the Manchester Guardian significantly states. "There are others much more important still to be told." The possibility of a German raid on the east coast has been daily more freely discussed. The Times' naval critic points out that something like a concentrated German effort is apparent in southern waters of the North Sea. l If anything in a shape of raid is contemplated it must lie soon, before Germany wants some naval forces for use in the Baltic, or the attempt will become still more hazardous. The Telegraph's military correspondent declares: "Our military chiefs quite rightly refuse to eliminate the chances of a German landing on the east coast as impossible. The Germans have got to find a way to decisive victory. A successful invasion would immediately solve their problem fav move rapidly than any other conceivable military success. German strategists are prone to rashness. They know our best troops and, what is more important, our best officers, are abroad, so they probably reckon 011 an easy victory if once they can put ashore some half-a-dozen army corps." The Telegraph urges that the command of troops for the defence of England shall be entrusted' to competent generals with competent staff officers at whatever cost to the army in the Held. It urges that the home irmy should be adequately equipped with artillery and cavalry, that our aid defences be completed, and the breakdowns which have occurred in the work of the administrative as well as file executive staff be guaranteed against in the future. THE NEW FRENCH BIG GUNS 'READY. Paris, April 6. The French have ready for use their new 16-inch guns, which are able to lire a more devastating explosive shell than tlip German 17-inch guns. Two giant shells for this gun, exhibited in Paris, stand sy»ft high each and weigh more than a ton. BEFORE END OF JUNE. > New York, March 30. A news agency despatch from London says:— "Before the end of June, the Allied ai mies will strike simultaneous blows on all fronts, with the object of bringing the Kaiser to his knees and ending the war before Christmas. "This combined offensive, ii Is neld here, is the certain result of the great war council of the Allies at Paris. "The Allied forces may 'begin to move before the Cjown IPrince ceases iih offen rive movements at Verdun."