MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1918, Page 7

MOTHER COUNTRY.

' VERSAILLES CONFERENCE, t CZECIIO-SLAVS REPRESENTED. STATEMENT .PREMIER GERMAN" TERMS NOT'DISCLOSED London Nov. 5. Mr Lloyd George had an enthusiastic reception in the House of Commons, when his-made a statement regarding the Versailles conference, where the Czecho-Slovaks were also represented. The first matter dealt with was the elimination of Turkey, which: gave the Allies the command of the Black Sea, which is of the greatest importance. The Premier went on to detail the terms of the Austrian armistice, but said lie was unable to give the House the detailed information regarding the complete agreement which the Allies had reached upon the German armistice. These conclusions had been, transmitted to President Wilson, with a request that he should intimate to Germany that if she wished to know the conditions; of armistice she should make application to Marshal Foch in the usual military form (loud cheers). The British naval representative would be associated with Marshal' Foch if such an application were made. Whatever the German reply might be, the Allies awaited the issue in perfect confidence. Mr Lloyd George congratulated the Czechoslovaks and .Tugo-Slavs, who had thrown off, the oppressor's yoke. These little nations which had 'stood out in Buc'h, heroism against Germanic dominance, could rest assured that the Allies would come to their aid as fast as possible. Mr Asqiiith said he had listened to Mr Lloyd George's statement with much satisfaction. The terms of the Austrian armistice would' give a universal sense of security, especially the fact that Austro-Hungary was now open for the operation of the Allied forces. He joined in the Premier's congratulations to the Italian army. Sir George Cave stated that Germany had abandoned the conditions regarding the interment and deportation of Germans in, China, which she attempted to add to the agree -it; covering the exchange of prisoners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

CHARGES AGAINST BLOCKADE RUNNERS. London, Nov. 5. A Prize Court is hearing charges against Eugen Urban and another firm at Nordstaog, concerning twenty-one blockade runners, carrying coffee from Rio de Janeiro to Scandinavian consignees, destined for Hamburg. The cargoes were of enormous value. The fraud was discovered by the American postal authorities, capturing the key to Urban's code—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc IRISH QUESTION AND PEACE CONFERENCE. London, Nov. (i. In the House of Commons. Mr. T. P. O'Connor moved that Britain snould not attend the Peace Conference until it had applied ihe principle of self-determina-tion for small nations to Ireland. Mr. Asquith urged that before Britain entered the conference she should give an assurance that Ireland would not be behind any of our self-governing Dominions. Mr. Short*, Chief Secretary for Ireland, said the failure in Ireland was shared by the Irish as well as by the English. He asked the Nationalists to tell the House what settlement they would accept. Mr. Bonar Law said he had listened to Mr. Asquith witii amazement It was preposterous to claim that the British Empire should not take part in the peace conference until the Irish question was settled. The conference had no right to deal wife the matter. The motion was altered to read: "In view of the approach of the peace conference the Irish question should be settled in accordance with President Wilson's principle of self-determination for which the Allies are ostensibly fighting." The motion was rejected by 196 to 115. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE •QUARTER'S SHIPBUILDING. London, Nov. G. The Admiralty announces that the United Kingdom, Allied and neutral merchant ship construction in the third iquarter of 1918 totalled 1,384,000 tons, of -which the United Kingdom output was 411,395 tons. The former figure exceeds the losses from all causes by nearly half a million tons. The United Kingdom output for October was 136,000 tons, making 1,311,000 tons since January 1, compared with 892,000 tons in the corresponding period last year.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc and Reuter. . . A CONDITION FOR GEHMANY. : ; London, Nov. §. Many newspapers insist on Germany! I being early compelled to. return .large; quantities of mill and ot'ber machinery stolen from France and Belgimn, to,pre-, ! vent them being the-war production to O.eaawy's-ii-fttl-i vantage,—Aus. N.Z. 'Cable, Asaftft •,,.■...-, ;■/ ■