MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE LAWS OF WAR,

COMMITTEE'S INQUIRY, PROCEEDING a AGAINST WILHELM DESIRABLE. Received Jan. 12, 6.5 p.m. London, Jan. W. The British committee appointed two months ago to inquire into readies of the laws of war is making good progress. Tliero are various subcommittees dealing with the law, the ill-treatment of prisoners, offences at sea, and indiscriminate bombardment of towns. All the sub-committees still have a large nia3S of evidence to sift. Final conclusions will probably not be reached for some months.

The sub-committee dealing with law has already submitted a special report, conveying the unanimous conclusion that it was desirable to take proceedings against the ei-Kaiser.—Reuter Service.

AIR RAID DEFENCES. MILES OF TRENCHES. >' _ t ry DISMANTLING COMMENCED. Received Jan. 12, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 11. It is now permissible to mention the elaborate system of defences constructed at London, including miles of trenches, while others were outlined for rapid execution in case they were required The work of dismantling the defences has begun, the troops filling in the trenches where they obstruct crop raising.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. THE DEMOBILISATION QUESTION. FRUITS OP VJCTOBY MUST BE ENSURED. NO TELLING WHAT GERMANS WILL DO. SERVICES MUST BE MAINTAINED. Received Jan. 11, 5.6 p.m. London, Jan. 10. Official.—The Prime Minister has ibeen giving careful attention to the question of the speed of demobilisation. He considers the first duty should be to ensure the fruits of the victory which has been won at the sacrifice of bo many lives and by brave deeds, and which are not to be jeopardised by any apparent weakness on the part of Britain during the critical moments of peace negotiations. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain a strong army on the Rhine, and the necessary services behind the front in France and at home.

Although the fighting has stopped, the war is not over The German aruies have not been demobilised, and are still very powerful. We cannot tell what the Germans will do, or whether they will agree to the terms of peace and repatriation we seek to impose upon them. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. RECRUITING RESUMED. FOR SERVICE AT A DISTANCE. Received Jan. 12, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan, 9. The Star states that recruiting for the regular army on a pre-war basis resumes on January 15. These will provide for drafts to serve in distant theatres.— Aus -NX Caible Assoc. A 47 HOURS' WEEK. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS' DEMAND. Received Jan- 12, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 0 Three hundred electrical engineers at Chelsea power station threatened to stop the district railway thi3 evening in order to force the concession of the 47-hour week. The dispute has now been referred to a conference—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

DANGEROUS ALIENS. • Received Jan. 12, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 9. Three foreigners were charged at Marylebone with possessing forged Spanish nationality certificates. The prosecution stated that one carried anarchist propaganda, urging the soldiers to lay down their arms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

FURTHER CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

Received Jan. i2, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 10. Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons.—Bonar Law. Without portfolio.—Sir Eric Geddes. foreign .Affairs.—A. J. Balfour Under-Secretary for Colonies.—L. C. M. S. Amery. India.—Seinha. —Aus. N.Z. Cable: 'Assoc.