IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT DOWNING STREET

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 51, 23 November 1917, Page 6

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT DOWNING STREET

X AMERICA'S FIRST MILLION URGENTLY AWAITED

■ i . .- " London, November 21. The Press Bureau states: A conference was held at Downing Street, be''tween the- War Cabinet, beads of Government Departments, and the members of the United States Mission. Mr. Lloyd George, who presided, in welcoming the mission, said that the purpose of the conference was to determine v how. the United States could'best co-operate with the Allies. Whilo everything was urgent in a war of this kind, two matters stood out superior, and equal" in •urgency, namely, man-power and shipping. Ho emphasised that the collapse of Russia and , the reverses in Italy made it more imperative that the' United States should send as many troops as possible at the earliest moment. He was anxious to know how soon the first million men could be expected in France. ' British shipping was wholly absorbed in war work, and, • assuming the submarine situation to become 'no worse, tho casing of the Allies'position depended on the dafco when America's nix million tons of shipping, promised for IDIB, would be launched. He did not doubt that America's accomplishment in the matter of shipbuilding would astonish everybody. '-'■ Matters of secondary Urgency. Among matters of secondary urgency, Mr. Lloyd George mentioned aero- .- planes. Everybody, realised that command or the air was vital, and almost as in the battleline as the', command of the sea. The Americans possessed to an unusual degree the enterprise and daring necessary for the oreation of successful airmen. Next came food. Several of tho world's great grainfields, notably those of Russia, were out of reach. Production in Europe was falling, and the Allies were becoming increasingly dependent on North America. Drastic restrictions would shortly bo imposed in Great Britain, partly to assist the Allies and partly to facilitate the carriage .of men and munitions to the hattlefronts. '■It was a privilege for the other Allies to ■\pobl their luck with the gallant fellows of Italy and France. The tightening of the blockade he put in tho second place. He believed the close co-operation of the United States with the Powers of Western Europe would bring a still greater economic pressure to bear on tho Central Powers during the course of tlie war.—Aua.-N.Z. Oable Assn.

WAR AND NOTHING BUT WAR

STRONG POLICY SPEECH BY NEW FRENCH PREMIER.

M. Clomenceau, in a Ministerial declaration in the Chamber, said: '"I have accepted the Premiership. There have beeu mistakes, alas, crimes, against France, which call for punishment. The new Government pledges its word that justice' , will be done with the utmost rigour of the law. Neither personal considerations nor the sway of political passion will turn us from our duty. Weakness in us would be complicity. Let there be no more pacifist campaigns, .treasons, or German conspiracies. . Instead, let there be war and nothing but war. Wo have paid for our liberties too_ heavy a price to yield in any direction. The censorship will be maintained in diplomatio and military matters and reports calculated to stir up civil strife." _ * M. Clemenceau, in an interview wit'-i the ,1 "Petit Journal," said that the situation had improved. "General Fayolle has gone to Italy. General Foch will'remain there, and will brine back a common plan for the Allies,. Probably a winter campaign /will tale place in Italy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE TESTING TIME FOR BRITISH NERVE AND GRIT

GRAVE WORDS BY SIR EDWARD CARSON.

London, Ngvember 21,

' '■■' Sir Edward Carson, in addressing the Constitutional Club, said that affairs had arrived at a stage- when the people's grit, nerve, and soul would be sorely tried. Nothing should be tolerated which tended to" arouse schisms and distrust. We had just passed through a sham, worked-up crisis. There had never been a more wicked and scandalous attempt to sow dissension than the allegation of conspiraoy against the Army administration. "There are -■revolutions in.other countries; do not imagine there is no revolution going on ■■ in this country. >It is not likely to be a disorderly revolution; but by facing ' ! the facts we will prevent the disaster of anarchy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RUSSIAN PROLETARIAT GOVERNMENT OFFERS SEPARATE PEACE

PREDICTED TRANSFER OF GERMAN TROOPS TO THE WEST

, BOLSHEVIKI INFLUENCE INCREASING

'■' ■'•'':. ■' ' •.. ■ London, November 21. . ■ ' Official circles in Berlin assert that the new Russian Government-has offered to conclude a separate peace. The press foreshadows an immediate transfer of German troops to the West front preparatory to the resumption of the offensive on a grand scale

Stockholm, November 21

The "National" Tidende" states that Russia will shortly withdraw from official participation in the war. Bolsheviki are increasing their influence and the entire people are utterly weary of war. Polish troops are guarding the Embassies in Petrograd.—Aus.-N.Z. ■ Cable Assn.-lteuter.

NEW . GOVERNMENT DISOWNED BY THE ARMIES AT

THE FRONT

(Rec. November 22, 9.20 p.m.)

London, November 22,

A wireless report from Petrograd states that all the armies at the front have refused to recognise the new Government. General Kaledin's march on the capital continues.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. \

LENIN'S PEACE OFFER

ARMISTICE AS PRELUDE TO N EGOTIATIONS

(Rec. November 22, 10.30 p.m.)

London,' November 22

A Russian official report states: "The,All-Russia Congress of Workmen's and Soldiers' . Delegates has ordered the Council of, the People's Commissaries to assume .power 'to offer all the belligerents an immediate armistice for the purpose of opening pourparlers for a democratic peace. This offer is firmly established in all tho important districts of the country. A draft message to this effect-has already been communicated to the Allied plenipotentiaries in Russia." Meanwhile tho Council has ordered the Commander-m-Chief forthwith'' to'offer the enemy commanders an armistice for the purpose of •peace pourparlers, and to keep the Council informed by telegraph of the progress of these pourparlers and sign the- preliminary act only after the Council approves. The above communique was signed by Lenin as President of the Council, Trotzky as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and three others. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ' . ■ ~" . \ ANARCHY IN FINLAND. Stockholm, November 21. '.'.'■ Reports from Finland state that the anarchical mob is displacing the Socialist leaders and committing all kinds of excesses.—"The Times." ; POLISH LEGION CAUSES TROUBLE TO THE ENEMY BITTER RECRIMINATIONS WITHIN THE RANKS. Amsterdam, November 21. Three thousand soldiers of the Polish Legion, who have refused to swear the oath of allegiance to the Central Powers, have been interned at Kalicz. A section of the Poles accused the rest of high treason to the P.olish cause, and a fight commenced, in which thirty were killed and 200 wounded. Tho camp building was destroyed by fire.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '