A PROPOSAL THAT FAILED.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1917, Page 5

A PROPOSAL THAT FAILED.

MR. GERARD REFUSES A GUARANTEE. Received Feb. 10, 12.55 a.m. Berlin, Feb. fl. The German Foreign Ollicc asked Mr. i Gerard to sign a proposal aflirming Ihe i treaties, and guaranteeing nine months' protection before internment .to Teutons . in America, but Mr. Gerard declined, ; referring llerr Zimmerman to the Spani ish-Swedish intermediaries. AMERICAN PRECAUTIONS. [ GUN'S RENT TO SKATTLE. Received Feb. 10, 12.50 a.m. Vancouver, Feb. 0. All the Siege guns at West Point have been shipped from New York for use at the forts protecting the citv of -cattle. ' . The crews of the Saxonin and other 'leimaii vessels, who weru arrested on Monday, have: been released and allowed to return to their vessels. A GERMAN SHIP AFIRE. Received Feb. 10, 12.."5 a.m. Manila, Fob. !). The crew of the Priueessiu Alice were ■ removed "rom the vessel, which is afire. i WILSON AWAITS A CLEAR BREACH. 1 Received February 0, 10.20 p.m. Washington, Feb. fl. Despite the Califoniiaii and other sinkings, as well as the Gerard incident, it is believed that President Wilson, while of the opinion that war is not ; far off, will await the clearest breach i of international law, thus securing an indisputable issue. 100 SUBMARINES ENGAGED. The Journal of Commerce estimates ■ that a max-imum of 100 submarines is new attacking Allied shipping. Germany commenced the war wan titty, and has since built two hundred, while, a hundred have been destroyed and fifty most be always refitting and restoring at home ports. MOTHER COUNTRY. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT! i _ . 'PROCEEDINGS IN THE LORDS. London, February 8. i In tho House of Lords the Chancelloi , read the King's Speech. Lord Slaiihope, in moving the Ad-dress-in-Reply, said that ihe enemy troops, urged forward by the Prussian jackboot, trod under foot every divine and human law. Belgians, Armenians and Serbians cried out against the murderous tyranny of the war and had ■, aroused in the Empire a spirit of grim , determination never before witnessed in . the history of the race. Lord Rathcreedan seconded the mo- , tion. Lord Crewe said that our superiority on the west front justified the most sanguine hope of larger operations in the spring. Lord Curzon declared that six peers had been killed in the war, 120 peers' sons, and 02 heirs, threatening the extinction of eight peerages. This was . like a house of mourning. . OBJECT OF IMPERIAL COUNCIL. The Imperial Conference was not intended for the purpose of constructing a brand new Empire constitution, nevertheless it was a great step forward in Empire evolution, namely the recognition of the relations with the Dominions on a basis of equality. They would hear the Dominions' views on constitutional and other subjects, but there was not sufficient time to frame a new constitution; this would he the lirst conference leading to a new Empire constitution. The Dominions had been invited, not in complimentary recognition of their part in the war, but their ' Ministers had been brought over for the purpose of helping in the prosecution of the war and the settlement oi peace. The conference had been summoned for three objects: To arrange for increased vigor in carrying on the war, to discuss tho peace terms, and to discuss post-war questions such as demobilisation They had ofbn spoken of the Dominions as sons and (laughters; now they were passing out of the stag? of filial relationship into a farternal union'. The conference might, form the nucleus around which tney might create an lin- , perial constitution. He looked to the representation of India an a means of ; removing the misunderstanding hither- , to prevailing in the Dominions. The idea that she was a dangerous and unhealthy competitor in the labor field had vanished on the battlefield. The Do- ' minions realr-ed that the Indians were fellow-subjects with similar rights to ourselves. They were approaching supreme and terrible times in the war. He counselled eooi-headeduess in view of Ihe submarine, campaign for combatting -which the Government was devising various measures. GERMANY'S NEW OUTRAGE. > Gcrmanys' mon irons new outrage [ proclaimed her an outlaw among nations. America, after patience unexnin- ' pled and unduly proloi gcd, had declared that she would have no further dealings with the unclean thing. The moral judgment of the world bad been delivered against Germany. Doubtless others , would follow President Wilson's cxemple. There were others who would ' like to do so if they could. The cam- ' paign was an act of desperate madness, but it was premeditated and or- ' ganised and therefore they must not tin-der-rate its peril. Possibly the enemy's ' atrocities in coming months would sur- ' pass anything hitherto believed. They ' were approaching a real and terrible ' crisis in the war and must be ready with all their resources. STANDARDISED MERCHANTMEN. < VIGOROUS CONSTRUCTION POLICY ' c Renter Service. Received February !'), 7.10 p.m. London, Feb. 8. In the House of Commons, Sir Leo Chiozza Money, speaking for the Ship- i

pon« Controller, stated that arrangeiaei,ts were progressing for the constructiou of new standardised merchantmen on a large scale. No efforts were being spared to utilise Hie nation's shipbuilding capacity to the utmost, compatible with the needs of the Admiralty, ANOTHER CREDIT VOTE. SESSION TO BE DEVOTED TO GOVERNMENT BILLS, CONDITION' OF AGRICULTURE. Received Feb. ft, j.,5,-) p. ra London, Feb. S. fn the House of Common*, .Air. Bonnr Law announced that a credit vote would be moved on Monday. He moved to coniine the session to Government Bills. Several members protested, and urged consideration of women's franchise and the state of Ireland, which latter, it is alleged, is becoming critical. Mr. Bonar Law replied that at this very critical" period of the fate of tin countrv, members must not occupy the attention of the House with controversial subjects. The motion was. carried williout a division. Mr. Bonar Law announced that he was introducing a Bill to deprive enemy princes of British titles. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was resumed by Mr. Leslie Scott, who moved that the House regrets the Speech from the Throne omitted to mention flic necessity for stimulating the country's food production, coupled with a comprehensive agricultural policy. He said the condition of agriculture was appalling, 200,000 workers being required immediately. The fixing of prices of products, without fixing the prices of farmers' necessaries, resulted in chaos. FOOD PRODUCTION SCHEME. GERMAN PRISONERS TO ASSIST. 00,000 WOMEN REQUIRED. Received February 9, 10.20 p.m. * London, Feb. ft, , In the House of Commons Mr. K. Prothero, Minister of Agriculture, in outlining the food production scheme, said that it was proposed to use German prisoners in Agriculture. It was also hoped to get sixty thousand women as the equivalent to 35,000 men. It might also be necessary to ration animals so as to save human food. IRELAND'S BARGAIN. HELP FOLLOWS HOME RULE. Received February 0, 1050 p.m. London, Feb. ft. At a meeting of Nationalists it was decided that Mr. Redmond should ask for an early discussion of Mr. O'Connor's nn lion "That for the purpose of strengthening the hands of the Allies in achieving recognition of the principle of ciji:».l rights for small nations against the German principle of military domination and government without the consent of the governed, it is essential to confer upon Ireland home rule without delay. A GOOD EXAMPLE. GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL BODIES' EMPLOYEES CALLED UP, A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. Received Feb. 10, 12.30 a.m. _. , London, Feb. 9. The War Office has called up for immediate service tho employees of the Government and local authorities between the ages of 18 and 22. This step followed the cancellation of their exemptions. ARMING OF MERCHANTMEN. - r TT , London, February 8. Mr. Hodge, Minister of Labor,' in a speech in London, said it would not he long before every merchantman was properly armed. lI P recalled the recent statement that, out of 7S adequately armed vessels only six had been siibinarined. -We desire to maintain the production of guns because Germany dreads nothing more than armed liners and tramps. But it means shells and still more shells-hence the appeal to women. "I don't think I am giving away secrets when [say tlie eliiefs of our Army and the Allies, after the recent confer cn*e, determined if possible to shorten the war in order u > terminate it at the end of next summer." Mr. Hodge appealed to women to volunteer, adding: '-Unless we combat the submarine menace we shall be threatened with a food shortage." ABOLITION OF PLEASURE MOTORING. London, February 8. The Petrol Committee has further restricted private consumption of petrol after March. It is believed to foreshadow the eompleto abolition of pleasure motoring, WHISKY FOR EXPLOSIVES. London, February S. The Government is considering the further curtailing of the importation of paper end paper-making materials and advises importers to restrjet their contracts after March 1, as their licenses may be curtailed. The Government is taking the whole output of the whisky distilleries for some months for the production of esc- [ plosives. It is expected that whisky will shortly be retailed, at 10s per bottle. LEADERSHIP OF NATIONALISTS. Londo •■.uiry S. Mr. Redmond, at a i ■ of Nationalists to-day at St, S, as, offered to resign the leadership. It is 'believed his reasons were the illness from which he is only slowly rocoveritig, combined with his daughter's death. He was unanimously ic-?iccted. ASSISTING THE WAR LOAN. London, February 7. There are many instances in the city of offioes, bank 9, factories and work-