SWEDISH SOCIALISTS

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 10, 11 January 1918, Page 5

SWEDISH SOCIALISTS

AJTO STOCKHOLM CONGRESS. WOULD PREVENT SEPARATE PEACE. (Received 1.15 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, January 10. The committee of the Stockholm Conference congratulated British organised labour upon its reorganisation, and declared that the Stockholm Conference would have given Russian labour strength to avoid a separate peace. The refusal to give delegates passports to Stockholm would prevent the danger of separate peace, resulting in increased reaction in Austria and Germany. The change in the military balance on the west front must mean two or three more years' fighting before either side can advance.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

NAVY DEPARTMENT.

ORGANISATION CHANGES,

LONDON, January 10.

The Admiralty announces that Mr Arthur Francis Pease has been appointed Second Civil Lord of the Admiralty. The new appointment has, been made to deal with the increased administrative work.

An authoritative statement explains that while the composition of the new Admiralty Board does not indicate any great change, really a great change has been effected. Moreover, considerations of seniority did not influence the selection of the new directors. The First Lord (Sir Eric Gcddce) seized the opportunity to form practically an ideal naval general staff. The direction of operations !ias been divided among three bureaux, namely, home waters, overseas waters, and trade protection. The First Sea Lord (Sir Rosslyn Wemyss) is concerned solely with large questions of naval poiicy, the distribution and the fighting efficiency of the fleet, the general direction of war operations, and the superintendence of the naval staff. The deputychief of the naval staff is solely concerned wit'i operations in home waters, without infringing the responsibility of the com-mnnder-in-chief of the Grand Fleet. The Deputy-First Sea Lord deals with the overseas questions. The assistant chief of the naval staff is responsible for antisubmarine measures, the convoying of merchantmen, and mine-sweeping in home waters.— (A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) PORTUGUESE UNREST, MUTINOUS CRUISERS. LISBON, January 10 The Government is taking energetic measures against the ■ Democrats, whom, it declares, aim at regaining power forcibly. It is also apparent'that serious disaffection reigns in the navy. The cruiser Vasco Dα Gama, anchored off the , capital, bombarded the fortress of Cistelles. ' The cruiser then surrendered. Other mutinous crews were also taken prisoners. Military forces occupy tVie naval barracks and arsennl. — (Reuter.)

NAVY PAY INCREASED.

(Received 11 a.m.)

MELBOURNE, this day,

Mr Joseph Cook (Minister for the Navy) announced substantial increases in the pay of members of the Australian navy.—(A. and N. 35. Cable.)