MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE SUPREME CALL COMPLICATED BY ECONOMIC TROUBLES. GERMANS FROM THE EAST.' CALAMITOUS EFFECT OX POSITION. united Service. Received Dec. 4, 1 a.m. London, Dec; 2. The supreme call for the Allies' endurance in the critical" military situation is complicated by economic troubles and the severe winter. Food queues are lengthening in Britain, France and Italy. Difficulties regarding fuel are intensifying public restlessness, marked with occasional strikes, though the- British workers are generally maintaining a staunch war determination. Attention at present is rivetted upon the Austro-German divisions from Russia. It is variously estimated that the Germans are bringing twenty-five divisions to the west, leaving ninety to hold « thin line or occupy Russian territory. Colonel Repington expects that the force which will be relieved will be larger, and declares that the appearance of a majs of new and fresh Germans on the west will be calamitous. OVERSEAS' CLUB MESSAGES. ON POSITION OF WAR. London Dec. 2. The Christmas number of fKe Overseas Club organ contains the following messages:— < ' Lord Derby says: "The fourth winter finds the army unimpaired in strength and moral while signs are evident that the reverse is the case, with our enemies. We are confident that this is the last winter before peace." / Sir William Robertson says: "I am convinced that the is3ue largely depends on staying power. Therefore* I am confident that victory will be ours." Lard Milner writes: "The Mother Country and her children are one today in the common hour of danger. Who will venture tj say that the bond forged in the fires of peril and sacrifice can ever be broken? General Birdwood says: "We have not yet reached the point when the greatest demand will he made on our fortitude and resources. It is natural that after three jrirs' devastation and war. some should cry 'Let us call it a draw.' There cannot be a draw with a nation who has fonished chivalry from its banner and honor from Its creed." CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS' DISQUALIFICATION. London, Dec. 2. The Government proposes that the electoral disqualification of conscientious objectors shall be limited to seven years after the war and shall not apply to objectors performing war services of a national character or Red Cross work. GAS INSTEAD OF iPETROL. London, Dec. 2. The Government has appointed a committee to consider the employment ol gas instead of petrol, etc., especially for the purposes of traction. WELSH MEMORIAL TO HEROES. London, Dec. 2. A Welsh committee is raising .£150,000 for a memorial to North Wales heroes, consisting of an extension of the University College, Bangor, and free university education for the heroes' children. i ANOTHER GIFT BY MALAY STATES. London. Dec. 2. The Federal Council of Malav States has decided to contribute a further halfmillion sterling to the British Government war expenditure this vear and £750,000 for 1018. COVENTRY DISPUTE SETTLED. Received Dec. 4, 12.5 a.m. London, Dec. 3. A conference resulted in an agreement in the Coventry dispute, and 50,000 workers resume on Tuesday. Local conferences will henceforth deal with disputed points.