GENERAL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6978, 20 February 1918, Page 3

GENERAL.

Scheme to btir up Revolution in Italy. Australian and N Z Cable Assoc, lice Peb 18, 9 45 a m

Loudon, Feb 17 A largo quantity of bombs, grenades, .and ;i million copies of a manifesto were found iv the cellar of premises occupied by Giuo Andrei, au Italian who was incarcerated several months ago as a spy. Tbe bombs and the manifesto were iuiended for distribution among worker.'iv Italy lo muse a revolution. The manifesto accuses Britain of causing and continuing the war. Andrei was leader of a powerful gang of spies organised by the Central Powers, and was well supplied with money. The discovery' led to the arrest of many of Andrei's con federates, one of whom *jA>iinti) was recently arretted in Italy and shot. Condemnation of German Submarine Warfare Admiralty—-Per Wireless Press. Copenhagen, peb IS At a meeting of the union of officers of tho mercantile murine the president condemned Germany's methods of submarine war fate., and declared that the relations between neutral and German sailors ought to be suspended for a h..ug time. The meeting rose ett m_i__e and applauded the pt evident. Imperial Cuiire. ence, Reuters Telegrams. i Rec Feb 19, 755 p m f ■Loudon, Feb 16 alr Bonar Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced iv the Hou_-_ of Common, that the holding of an Imperial War Cabinet iv 19IS would afford the opportunity to hold an Imperial Conference.

German Scheme For Destruction of Sabotage. Admiralty—Per Wireless Press Rec Feb 19, 755 p m Berne, Feb 18 A copy of a confidential circular issued by tbe German General Staft on November *2, 1914, has reached Switzerland. It is signed 'Fischer' and ia addressed to the military representative on the Russian aud French fronts aad in Italy and Norway. The circular announces :*' Special accounts for war needs have been opened at all branches of German banks in Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, China, and the United States. We authorise you to use these accounts to an unlimited extent in order to destroy factories, military stores, arid the most important centres of j food supplies belonging to our enemies: j also, to stir up strikes, destroy ships j carrying war materials lo the euieny j eoiiL'tries, bum warehon..' s containing

raw material and manufactures, and destroy electoral plant in factories Special agents will bring you a list ot pci'sous willing to undertake de.tiuctiou and sabotage.' Retirement of Sir W Robertson. Australian andNZCiblo Assoc Rec Feb 18, I) 35 a m London, Feb 17 A representative of the " Sunday Times" had an in'orvicw to-day with General £_ir William Robertson, who has just retired from the post of Chief o{ the Impe-i-il General Staff. General I l.obe'rtson indicates that h<_ *.7as dismissed, and said, •' I have net resigned. _ can only .say that I wid not accept either position."

ihe " Suuday Times" political correspondent understands thnt General Sir Herbert Ploaier declined to succeed GeiiT.il Robertson, and adds that it is anticipated tbat other generals will follow General Robertson into retire-iu'-nr, io fatt, the general. have revolted against the Cabinet. The gravity of their ac;ion cannot be • -veres;]'mated. Tho correspondent hi lines Karl Derby's spineless control of the War Ulfi.ce, and hints that will Im ic6';?n. Ho points out that Lord Derby had an audience with the King on S . isrday,

Th.- ' Observer" hopes that the retir.* cut aud temporary resignation clears the air on the eve of battle, and removes possible risk of friction betwi-on ourselves _md our Allies. C_ 'respondents of < ther newspapers emphasise the political aide of the situation, but regard the reconstruction of Cabinet as unlikely, pointing out tho suggested alternatives. The Government's position is regarded as critical. The Premier's ??*•" eh and explanation aroeagoiiy a\Vii__od. Government newspapers challenge Mr A'-pith, to test the' House with a no-eotiiidence motion, declaring that it would result in a fourfold ilinisto.rial majority. KeutePs Telegrams London, Feb 18 In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to Mr P Billing, Member for East Herts, whether Sir W Robertson resigned or was dismissed, said he declined to anticipate discussion. French Socialists Favour War Credits Australian and N Z Cable .Assoc Paris, Feb 19 After au ail-day discussion the Socialist National Council voted, by 10-18 to -115, that tho Chamber's war credits be continued.

Ineffective Air Raid London, Feb I .) Tho Press Bureau reports thero wero no casualties or damages as a result of Mon lay's air raid. Possibilities of Surprise for Enemy United rress. London, Feb 17. A special correspondent states tbat leeent Russian developments are full ot possibilities of surprise and serious embairissment for the Central Powers. The dissolution of the Old Russian peril deprives tbe artificial unity between Austria and Germany of its former impelling force. Austria is desperately anxious for peace, and, no longer sharing a common antagonism may bretik away from German control and cease lo set herself against the natural development of tbe Slav races. Tbe Austiiar. internal position is already perilous owing to the detliHnir.ed, and probably permanent Slay union against the' Gover.'imar.t. Beneath the masterful German announcements cf threats against the Bolsheviks are signs of nervou.ness and hesitation. Report, from Vienna state tbat the Austrians are puzzled by possible ramifications of Bolshevik policy. It i. {supposed that Trotzky believes that the Central Powers do not intend ti attack Russia, and that tbe Bolsheviks can then atford to a wait the results of the western offensive

British Representative at Versailles Council London, Feb 19. Sir Henry i.awlinao-i has been appointed British representative at the Versailles War Council. Enemy Renews War with Russia Amsterdam; February 17. The Frankfurt Gazetla states tbat war with Russia wss renewed on Monday. Ihe "Tyd's" Berlin cjrrespondcnt states that the Germans ore e.nq.nttatbn: in the Ukraine f.v the purpose of attacking tne Bolsneviks.

The Germans fear outrages hy tbe Red Guards and threaten reprisals if German prisoners in Northern Russia suffer.