THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1918, Page 6

THE WAR.

MOTHER COUNTRY. WAR AIMS. A BRITISH STATEMENT URGED. London, Dee. 30. British newspapers are generally giving the subject of war aims the most serious attention, .pointing out that grave responsibility now rests on tin Allies to make a statement. The Daily Express says that if Germany accepts the principles of restitution, reparation and security the Allies can meet Germany in conference.

The Daily Telegraph urges a joint restatement of war aims. The stand taken by an unprocedentedly large representation of working class opinion is a matter of considerable importance. The Labor memorandum means the winning of the war. Admittedly it is Labor's compromise on different bodies of working class opinion. This definite agreement of all Masses in the community is the best possible basis for our future war action and the only sound guarantee of its success.

Daily News urges a clear statenVnt. of the Allies' aims. The Morning Post considers that, the Labor Congress is led by a small clique of internationalists and not in true sense delegated by British workmen for the business in hand. THE FOOD PROBLEM. DISCUSSED BY LABORITES. London, Dec. 30.

The National Convention of representatives of the Trades 'Union Congress and Labor Party on the subject of food supply has opened. A resolution has been submitted protesting against the unnecessary suffering in urban areas, especially of women, owing to the absence of an equitable distribution of supplies and demanding equal distribution to rich and poor. It was slated that compulsory rationing in many articles was possible and a better organisation of the milk supply. Mr. Smillie, president of the Miners' Federation, in moving the resolution, . warned the Government that tlifjre would be a grave crisis in the country unless it ,< acted fairly in the lnatter of food. * Mr. Clynes, M.P. (Labor), Secretary 4 to the Food Controller, accepted the resolution, and said that no Government could apf(lv any other policy. TEere was " even- indication that the situation in the great industrial centres was decoming better. He ridiculed the idea that the Government could commandeer and distribute the food supply. The existing distributing agencies were essential. The resolution was adopted. WAR REVIEW AND OUTLOOK. COL. REPINGTON'S VIEWS. GERMANY'S METHODS FORECASTED London, Dec. 30. A strong; fighting note marks the reviews of the war and the prospects for 1918.

Colonel Repington says Aat wo must admit that, owing to grave political and military misfortunes, we are liable to he hard beset in the west, also it is nearly certain that in case of desperate decisions the German naval arm will not remain unused.

Discussing the prospects, Colonel Repington states that 21 German divisions have now been moved westward from Russia, hut that 12 tired divisions have gone to Russia from Prance. The last thing the Herman Government desires to allow is that anarchic and disruptive Bolshevik notions should percolate into Germany, consequently the Eastern front of 1200 miles must he closely guarded.

He estimates that between 30 and 40 German divisions will 'he released for the west, where Germany urgently requires a decision owing to the impending arrival of large American forces and the worsening internal conditions.

Colonel Repington admits that the maintenance of the German strength throughout 1918 is assured. Assuming the operations are similar to those of 1917, it will thus be 1919 before attrition operates. The reduction of the Italian front by 100 miles makes the 44 Austrian divisions there ample for defence, therefore it is expected that 10 Austro-llungarian divisions will appear in France, probably in Alsaee. Together the Austro-German reinforcements will equalise the fighting strength ill the west, but they do not provide the superiority needed for a decisive offensive.

Germany is likely to endeavor to apply her favorite form of enveloping attack, remaining faithful to her old dislike of a parallel battle, but the method is applicable in few sectors in the west. The Allies have won the best positions in the west, their airmen's initiative is great, and 1 heir artillery and machine-gun strength will render attacks costlier than ever at Verdun. The enemy may shear away our always too narrow numerical superiority, throwing us on the defensive, but he has not (hat crushing superiority of men and guns which was shown to be necessary against entrenched confident troops. A SEA OFFENSIVE SUGGESTED. Paris, Dee. 30. I.e Matin declares that the hour has come to oppose Jlindenburg's strategy hv a great sea offensive. PRISONERS SENT TO SWITZERLAND. Zurich, Dec. 30.

Eighty-four British officers and 455 men have been released from Germany for internment in Switzerland. KEEPING CAPITAL IX BRITAIN. London, Dec. 30. A new provision of the Defence of the Realm Act prohibits residents of the ■United Kingdom sending remittances without written permission for subscription to any loan, or capital for purchas- | ing any property, except merchandise, or the purchasp of iiffuigh currency with the 'view of its appreciation in value, or as an investment. It therefore becomes necessary that telegraphic instructions to the United I Kingdom for (hn payment of remittances i outside the United kingdom must be acjcompanied hf a lew words ot explaua-

I PROTEST AGAINST PROFITEERING. London, Doc. SO. At the Labor Food Conference, Mr. B(;van (Dockers' lUnion) said that when in England Mr. Massev arranged with the Government that New Zealand mutton should be ta4;en at one price from the factory and at another from the ships. American meat agents in Australia and New Zealand offered one or two shillings a head more for live cattle than the British Government paid for dead, but although the Americans were apparently landing carcases at a loss of a shilling a head, they had obtained the right of release in this country and also the right to handle Argentine meat, and were thus making threepence per pound on the cost.

The conference passed a resolution demanding that the School Feeding Act be applied throughout the country, and also that boots and clothes be supplied to needv children.

The conference also protested against profiteering.