UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1918, Page 6

UNITED STATES.

A SENATE DISCUSSION. EXEMPTION OF AUSTRALIANS AND IRISH. Washington, March 31. The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the question of the exemption of Australian and Irish residents in the United States from the draft. At present the draft exempts Australians and Irish because they are exempted in their home countries. BRITAIN'S CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY New York, April I.* Lord Readiing, in the course of a speech, said that if the British line held, Germany would not have gained anything vital. He believed the present battle would prove one of the most glorious chapters in the history of British arms. Britain had no doubt as to the result. "We are unshaken in our, faith, and we are determined that", come-' what may, wo shall fight till victory is achieved."

JAPAN'S HELP IN SHIPS. New York, April 1. i The New York Times' Washington correspondent reports that an agreement has been readied whereby Japan transfers to America 150,000 tons of shipping and America supplies Japan with 300,000 tons of steel plates. The prices for the plates and shipping are not announced. PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES FOCH. Washington, April 1. President Wilson sent a message to General Foch: "I wish to congratulate I you on your new authority. Such unity I of command is a most hopeful augury of ultimate success. We are following with profound interest the bold and brilliant action of your forces." The United Press Agency states that it is unknown here whether General Foch's new command is supreme, or is only the command of the army of manoeuvre. Officials have received a cable from General Bliss, Chief of the Staff on the American front, saying that the French are holding the enemy at all points-