MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

A GENERAL WAR REVIEW. BIT HIGH MILITARY AUTHORITY. SUPERIORITY OF ANGLO-FRENCH FORCES. GERMANS A LONG WAY BEHIND. BWSSIANS CO-OPERATING IN MESOPOTAMIA. Reecived Dec. 20, 10.10 p.m. London, Dee. 19. A high military authority states that the enemy is making slow progress on the Italian front, and that Italy's position has been greatly improved owing to the snow falling with some severity. He further adds that the security of the -sition is the main fact. On the western front the Germans are transferring divisions, and, for the second time, are combing out the physically fit to replace the worn-outs'on the west front. Although the enemy has in this way gained a considerable accretion, he i«i §fi\l a long way behind the superior English and French forces. Throughout the year we have been on the offensive, and may expect the enemy, with 'his increased forces, to initiate an attack. Three thousand Russians arc co-oper-ating with General_Mar;hall in Mesopotamia #nd acting under his orders, de spite the armistice. THE MAN-POWER SCHEME. POSTPONEMENT TO ENABLE DISCUSSION. INDUSTRIAL CONSCRIPTION IMMI>"E> T " Received Dec. 20, 7.30 p.m. London, Dec 19. The Government is postponing the announcement of the man-power scheme :ill the new year, so as to permit discuslion by the trades union leaders regard■<t the drastic combing out of munitions . .d other workshops, wherein the Government is hampered by Messrs Hcnderjon's and Asquith's promises. Sir Arthur Geddes assured the Mln•rs" Federation of his intention to introluce industrial conscription . OVERSEAS TRADE DEVELOPMENT. / £. 'NEW D£r„.. ..vfENT FORMED Renter Service. Received Dec. '2O, S p.m. London, Dec. 15). It is officially announced that a new department of overseas trade development and intelligence has been constituted. Sir William dark lias been appointed controller-general, and Mr. F. G. Burton, formerly of the Colonial Office, baa been appointed fli—:tor of the overMi division. BRITISH WAR AIMS. A LASTING PEACE SOUGHT. Received Dec. 21, 12.20 a.m. London, Dec. 20. A debate on the Allies' war aims arose 'n th# House of Commons upon ~ic third of the Consolidated Fund BilL ->lr7 Balfour considered the statements regarding ffie war policy by President Wilson and the various leaders in Britain were absolutely identical ir spirit. Ho believed that in the whole world's history there were no more powerful State documents than President Wilson's. Both Mr. Asquith and Mr. Lloyd George bad stated our policy on the broadest lines and in the most explicit terms and the clearest mannef. Our aims were not selfish, but we were seeking a peace which would last and under whose shelter small and great nations might develop according to their own national ideas. ' "111 COMMISSIONER ENTERTAINED (Received Dec. 20, 5.5 p.m. Loffdon, Dec. 19. The Lord Mayor entertained the oversew s&gb Commissioners and AgentsGeneral .at lancheon at the Mansion Bouse.