AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

GERMAN ESTIMATE OF BOOTY. LOSSES MINIMISED. . . Amsterdam, May 10. .Admiral Capelle, in a speech on the JXavy Estimates in the Reichstag, asserted that the booty ,f the last three months was 1325 ships of 2,800,000 tons. He expected that the submarines, which were heavily striking tho vital centre of iher fiercest enemy, would guarantee Germany holding out. He admitted that losses had occurred, as the enemies' defences were increasing in quantity and quality, but they had found no radical remedy against submarines. Admiral von Capelle, in his speech on the naval estimates in the Reichstag, said that the Admiralty had expected to sink 600,000 tons of merchant vessels monthly, but over 1,100,000 tons had been destroyed in April. The losses of submarines had been unexpectedly small and the crews had greatly increased their experience. MARITIME OPERATIONS. GERMAN WASPS SCATTERED. Wellington, May 11. The High Commissioner reports under date London, May 10 (1.5 p.m.):— Th« Admiralty reports: Scouting light cruisers and destroyers irom Harwich, when cruising between the English and Dutch coasts this morning, sighted eleven German destroyers to the south in a parallel line. They immediately closed and opened firi-. The enemy made off southwards at full speed, under covar of a dense smoke screen. Our vessels chased them for 80 minutes and engaged them at long range, but were unable to overtake them. / Four of our destroyers chased the eleven of the Germans to within range of the guns of Zeebrugge. Our casualty was one man slightly wounded. The enemy's destroyers were seen to be hit.

BAVARIA DENUDED OF LABOR. ANOTHER DISASTROUS HRVEST EXPECTED. Wireless, per Admiralty Press. Received May IS, 8.30 p.m. Berne, May 11. Herr Hein, Leader of the Agrarians in the Bavarian Chamber, in a speech at Neustadt, said that 70 per cent, of the male population of 2837 Bavarian villages, above the age of 17, were serving in the army, whilst 37 per cent. (?) were on farms which were without male laborers. The harvest of 191-6 wa* the worst on record, owing principally to lack of labor, and a Biniilar disaster in 191.7 was threatened for the same reaßon. A REPORT DENIED. London, May 10. A German wireless message describes the attempt on the Kaiser's life as a pure invention. [A cablegram from Rome, on the authority of the Corriero d'ltalia, stated that three shots were fired at the Kaiser whilst motoring to Berlin. Two struck the car. The perpetrator was wrested.] REICHSTAG PIFFLE. Amsterdam, May 10. In the Reichstag a Conservative declared that the fleet wa9 longing to meet the British, who, despite their denials, knew that the Skagerack was the first defeat the British Navy Lad suffered for centuries. A National Liberal member said that Britain's dominion of the seas had now been shaken for ever, net fleet dare not come out. During the discussion of the colonial vote Herr Nosek, Official Socialist, said that peace without annexation implied the restitution of the colonies or compensation in the event of portions being abandoned.

Dr. Solf, Colonial Secreary, declared tliat the entire Reichstag, except the Socialists and Laborites, demanded the 'restitution of the. colonk> •>.

IMPROVING CANAL SYSTEM. Amsterdam, May 10. Leading Hamburg merchants discussed the improvement of the canal systems in order to restore to Hamburg her lose trade. Dr. Mathies, president of the Chamber of Commerce, rejected the Maine-Danube Canal scheme as over expensive, stating that H would merely benefit Rotterdam and Antwerp, which would never be German. The meeting passed a resolution that the Government should construct the Elbe-Danube Canal as speedily as possible.

DECORATION FOR COMMANDER EVANS. London, May 10. Among the honors for the naval action 'of April 20 is the D.S.O. and promotion to captain conferred on Commander Evans of the Broke, and the D.S.M. on Stoker Charles Williamß, of the New Zealand Naval Reserve. ROYAL COMMENDATION. London, May 11. The Press Bureau announces that the King has sent a message saying he has much pleasure in approving of the awards made in recognition of the splendid action of the destroyers Swift and Broke with German destroyers. The officers and men did more than iiphold the grand traditions of the British Navy. CAN LEAVE WHISKY ALONE. "My husband's business brings him in constant touch with drink, but thanks to 'Drinko' he can now leave it alone." Thus writes a grateful wife from Dunedin. Drinko can be given.secretly. Fre« booklet "sent in plain sealed envelope. State if Xv., Mrs., or Miss. Write Lady Manager Drinko Proprietary, 212 J., Lambton Chambers, Wellington, old everywhere. Alas! bow soon have passed away The joys and ihopes of yesterday! And yet is doth console to know Its griefs and pangs have passed also. The colds and coughs which yesternight Filled countless hearts with pain and fright), Have passed away—could not endure, Opposed to Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. A