MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

EMPEROR KARL'S OVERTURES PART OF THE PEACE OFFENSIVE. Received May 1", 5.55 p.m. London, May IC. In the House of Commons, Mr. Runcinian asked: "Was the Emperor Karl's letter, quoted by M. Clemenccau, on flth Apri! communicated to the other Allien? Did Mr. Lloyd George inform the Foreign Office at the time that such letter was shown him. and was the subject dropped because France wanted the Alsace-Lorraine of 1814 or even 17!)0';' :

Mr. Balfour replied that there was a tendency to treat this subject as if it concerned Britain alone. It was really a delicate subject of international policy, and could not be discussed as a domestic matter. This was a private letter written by the Emperor Karl to a relative This was conveyed by letter to the French Government under seal of the strictest secrecy and without permission to communicate to anyone in Britain except Mr. Lloyd George and the Sovereign. This was an inconvenient way to deal with such a transaction, but it was not the fault of the British Government. Mr. Balfour added that the restoration of the Alsace-Lorraine of 1814 or 1790 had never been the Allied war aim. Mr. Runciman must be referring to the conversation between the Czar and the French representative early in 1017. which was unknown to the British Government until much later, and which had no international bearing, and in no way pledged the British Government.

Proceeding, Mr. Balfour said it was impossible to know what actuated Emperr Karl, Count Czernin, and the Kaiser in these transactions. Ho was inclined to think it was part of the peace offensive, with the object of dividing their opponents. Replying to Mr. Outhwaite, Mr. Bonar Law stated that no change had occurred or was contemplated in the High Command in France. He strongly deprecated such questions, which in future he would decline to answer.-~Reuter. London, May 1(5. Mr. Balfour concluded: M. Cleinimceau had dealt effectively with thes'.> cynical matters by publishing Karl's lettai. The French Chamber had already concluded that the letter did not provide an adequate or satisfactory basis for peace the House of Commons might well be content with that verdict. Nobody was more desirous than the British Government of bringing the war to an honorable termination, if any method whereby that could be accomplished were shown it would be accepted. There was no evidence now or at any time that the German governing classes contemplated the possibility of what we should regard as a reasonable peace.—Reuter.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT. TEXT OF TERMS. London, May 10. Newspapers criticise the Government's ignorance of the Franco-German agreement for the exchange of prisoners, and urge that Britain should arrange a similar agreement.

In the House of Lords, Lord Newton said he had now seen the text of the Franco-German agreement. The most important clause was that relating to the repatriation of noncoms, and men head for head and grade for grade if they had been in captivity over 18 months. Officers imprisoned for the same period would be interned in Switzerland, head for head and regardless of rank.

The Germans declined to regard mer. chant seamen captured on armed vessels as civilians. This point had caused acute controversy between England and Germany, and until satisfactorily settled the Admiralty would not allow German merchant seamen to leave Britain. France and Germany had agreed to the repatriation of civilians regardless of age or sex, on an undertaking that they would not again be used as soldiers. Although it was desirable that the Allies should act together it was impossible to secure absolute similarity of action. The number of British civilian prisoners in Germany was 3750, including 2000 seamen, against 21,000 Germans in Britain.

Lord Crewe congratulated France on the excellent agreement, and hoped Britain would secure a similar one Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

ACCELERATING SHIPBUILDING

FIRST CONCRETE SHIP COMPLETED London, May 16. An important agreement was reached at a conference at York between ship, builders and workers/ providing safeguards against disputes with a view of accelerating shipbuilding and repairing —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. ° The first large concrete ship, of 900 tons displacement and a dead weight capacity of 500 tons, has been completed. INCREASING DOCK CHARGES. London, May 16. The Port of London Authority is asking the Board of Trade to sanction a further increase of 15 per cent, in the dock charges, making the total increase 05 per cent, since the war began, which is entirely due to the advance in wages. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. DISPENSING WITH JURIES. London, May 10. Owing to the shortage of jurors the Government has introduced a Bill in the House of Lords dispensing with juries in England and Wales in certain cases during the war. STATE LOAN BANKS. London, May 16. The Ministry of Reconstruction if. considering the establishment of State loan banks to assist the builders of workmen's homes.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

ANGLO-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP

CEMENTED BV THE WAR. Received May 17, 8.55 p.m. London, May 115. The King and Queen gave a recept at Buckingham Palace to (lie Amer : Labor delegation. The King, in welcoming them, said: "It has always been my dream, which the war has fulfilled, that the British and American nations should work together in close and harmonious relations toward the ideal of progress of civilisation common to both peoples." He hoped that after the war they would continue to stand together.

Mr. McCormick, one of the delegates, assured the King that the delegation was impressed by the magnitude of Britain's effort. America would not be behind with her contribution to the common cause.

THE BRITISH POLICY. Received May 17, 11.50 p.m. London, May 17. The Press Bureau reports: In order to correct a misapprehension it is officially stated that the Government lias for a considerable period advocated the release of fit combatant prisoners of war for internment in a neutral country, but not for repatriation. It has been only possible to apply the policy to officers and non-commissioned officers, because Germany has hitherto refused to extend it to privates. As regards the repatriation of fit combatants, the Government has always acted after consultation with her allies.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

MEATLESS DAYS IV EATING PLACES.

Received May 17,11.40 p.m. London, May 17. The Press Bureau reports that Lo.d Rhondda has abolished meatless days in the eating places as from the 17th May. —Aus. Cable Association.