Today’s War Cables.

Evening Star, Issue 16350, 16 February 1917, Page 6

Today’s War Cables.

KAISER INTERVIEWED.

TALKS AT NEUTRALS.

CHE OLD SELF DECEPTIONS

AND SOME NEW ONES.

NEW YORK, February 15,

(Received February 16, at 10.20 a.m.)

The ‘New York World's’ Berlin correspondent states that during his visit to Vienna the Kaiser was interviewed by the playwright Hans Mueller, who quotes him as saying:

“ Look at European neutrals ; read the ■Swedish answer, written a-s if for all eternity. Now, neutrals know rigid- well how they must estimate onr strength, likewise our will to peace. For the first time, in a certain sense, the declared will of small neutral States stands against the Anglo-Saxon world, and Napoleon's Continental blockade, from a phantom, is becoming a reality, which will hit England harder 'than anything else heretofore. The goal is set, and things are going ahead.’’ Discussing Germany's peace oiler, the Kaiser said ;

“This step had to he taken, for now all tho world knows who those arc who impose continued miseries on humanity, and does not forget that it is the Entente which protects the murderers of tho Archduke Ferdinand. On our side .arc right and morality, and to help these to triumph every shining weapon must he welcome to us."

Tho Kaiser discussed tho world drama ns a representative of “ kultur.” -and hoped poets would continue to draw on Germany’s past. He added that, from his earliest youth, a few figures had followed him, such as Theodoric. King of the Visigoths, the Kaiser Friedrich 11.. and the Emperor Charles V. The Kaiser said to M. .Mueller: “ Who knows, if Charles V. and Martin Hut her had oorne together, where the Herman nation would be tociav?”

HUNGER DOING ITS WORK.

“GRAFT” IN GERMANY.

FOOD CARD ABUSES.

XFW YURK, February 15. (Received February 16. at 8.45 a.m.)

Ihe I nited I’ress correspondent, who nas just left Berlin, states that food conditious in Germany are steadily growing worse. Thousands of requests have been received from departing Americans for food. There is endless “graft” in Berlin, rood cards are stolon, and magistrates’ friends get extra cards, while food dealers interchange their wares. The police are powerless, because influential people are the biggest offenders. The recent cold freeze spoiled a large quantity of supplies. There is the greatest difficulty in the matter of transportation, which* is being used up for army purposes. Thousands of schools, business houses, and apartments are dosed.

Meanwhile Marcha-I Von Hindenbnrg is coldly calculating on the possibilities of a military victoiw before it 1.4 necessary again to face the Socialists and other peace agitators.

dwindling food.

CRISIS EXPECTED IN APRIL

LONDON, February 15. (Received February 16. at 9.30 a..in.) The ‘Daily Chronicle’s’ .Amsterdam correspondent states that an American who has just left Germany, whore he has resided throughout the war, says that after the Kiel and Leipzig• food riots the soldiers refused to fire on rioters. This was considered a dangerous symptom, and led to the appointment of the Food' Dictator. _ The farmers are still holding on to their stocks in expectation of a rise in prices, and any attempt to compel them to surrender their hidden stocks may i d.use internal dissensions. Mo expected a crisis to occur at the cud of March or early in May, when the masses will he ieduced to a condition of further enduriince being impossible, and when the soldiers may lie forced to vield np their Mores in order to feed civilians. There 1,0 Lar hi Germany of military defeat, hut there is a desperate fear that hunger .may force Germanv to capitulation.

STARVATION IN AUSTRIA.

ROMANIAN GRAIN' DISAPPOINT-

MENT.

VIENNA, February 15.

(Received February 16, at 9.15 a.m.) The newspapers announce that the first .onsignment of Rumanian grain has arrived in Hungary, hut the Government announce that it is impossible to give- any nf it to the civil population. There are hitter complaints against the Government lor yielding to Gorman orders on the food question, and allowing so much grain to go to Germany.

It is stated that fowl is so short among the lower and middle classes that many af them remain in lied the better part of the day to save [nod. clothes, and shoes, and to prevent, themselves from collapsing irom starvation. *

A DESPONDENT EMPIRE

CLINGS TO AMERICA

LONDON, Fehruarv 15. (Received February 16, at 9 a.m.) The ‘Daily Telegraph ’ states that Austria-Hungary is making efforts to amid a rupture with America, hoping that she will he the means of peace fin tervent-ion.

Hope has dwindled in regard to the success of the submarine campaign, and the people have reached a . dull, sullen conviction that something must he done to and the war.

GERMANY’S SPRING.

REPINCTON ANTICIPATES EVENTS.

‘The Timas,

1.0X7)0.V, February 15, (■Received February 16. at 9.30 a.in.;.

Colonel Repington forecasts an outburst of furious German rffensives by land and ?ea. He says: “ They have prepared for Ibe 1917 campaign early. They bare been thoroughly sweeping up men in the occupied regions, enforcing industrial conscription, and forming 56 new divisions. If these, latter are concentrated on the west front we shall have a. difficult job during the first three months, in which the Russians will be able to do comparatively little. .1 liis German effort will represent their maximum endeavor, after which fresh drafts will not be obtainable.” Colonel Repington insists on the necessity of maintaining strong home forces, owing to the likelihood that Himlenbnrg will temporarily sacrifice the German fleet in securing temporary command of tire English Channel to invade England.

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright, Australian, and N.Z. Cable Association.

ENEMY MOVEMENTS.

TRANSFERS TOWARD THE

BALKANS.

Reuter's Telegrams.

AMSTERDAM. February 15. I Received February 16. at 10.5 a.m.) 'Hie ‘ Handelsblnd ’ states that German tmip movements on the eastern front have ceased ami a great proportion of the ha ns ten od di v i sions have disappeared to the southward.

WEST FRONT.

RECIPROCAL AIR RAIDS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.

LONDON. February 15

(Received February 16, at 10.5 a.m.) French official ; Wo mafic a successful coup do main in the Erasers sector east of Rheirns. There is. recipiocal artillery activity in the Champagne and on the left *>ank of tlu> Meuse.

Gemian acroplaims last evening bombed Uinikiik. killing and wounding some civilians. They aiso bombed Nancy. Thi* morning our air squadron* bombarded two aerodromes and six stations and factories.

BRITISH ENTERPRISE,

FOOTING IX RUSSIA

FKTROfiIIAI). February 15, (Received Fe.br tuny 16. at y.lo'a.m.t the island of Carantine has been lease;! to a. Riisso-British association for important lactone.-., dockyards, shipbuilding, and harbor winks The :i,-soci.nion will also construct railways, and bridges.

“OLD GLORY.”

AMKRICA I X VEsTB JATFS INSULT

M ASH IXG 1 OX, February 15. i ßeceived February 16, at 10.20 a.m.) 'lhe Slate Department has received continuation that Mr Brand Whitlock was compelled to lower the American Han Brussels*. Ihe circumstance:, are not'vet known.

THE NATION AND DRINK.

WHICH SHARD BK MASTER

LONDON, February 15.

1 Received February 16, at 9,15 a.m.) Mr Massey has opened a temperance club at Poplar, financed by an anonymous benefactor in memory of Fast KmleVs defending the Empire. tlie House of Uomnion.s Sir George Ca\e, Home Secretary, answering a .suggestion regarding Prohibition, said that, if JU order to cany on the war it became necessary to ask our soldier-. mi!ors, and the nation to give 11)1 drink, there must be grounds Mr the sacrifice. Wo could not convince our soldiers shivering in the trenches that the beet thing was a glass of water, except , m groiuids''of national interest. ’ihe Government were prepared to go to any lengiii.s necessary for victory, hut we must deal with tlio fads of the case. The Government intended to ask the House for power to impose further restrictions on the manufacture of drink, if it were proved necessary.

NEW ZEALANDERS DECORATED

BY ALL!ED MONARGHS.

Are trail aii and N.Z. Gable Association and Reuter.

LONDON, I<ebruary 15. (Received February 16, at 10.30 a.m.) r i he Gazette announces a number ’of decorations and medals awarded by our Allies, the recipients including the following .sew Zealanders:—

Ine Tsar has conferred the Order of ■-t. Um-daus of the third class on Lieu-tenant-culonol W. M. Cunningham, tho Lioss w bt. George of the third class (lU one New Zealander, tho .Medals of H Decree on five New Zealanders, the King of Serbia has awarded Sl er tc° f P" r i,itG Ka - r|R of tho fc}li >'d etas, to -Lngadier-gcnenil E, \V fliavwlonel '\V I f !’" rlil r!;,S> t<J Lieiiteuani£iff m ' rff / r "i ni and R - Lridham. and ot the fifth class to four New Zeaandors; he Order of Kara George of Hm „v“ , U , to , Gitititonant-colonel Mit--14 New U ZeVlanders S Ka, ' a GeOl ' ge to

WITH THE NEW ZEA»

landers.

(Special front the New Zealand Official Bar Correspondent.j

'WELLINGTON. Fehruarv 16. lor three weeks Northern Franco lias and U th dd IU , the = ri P “ f ice king, and the canals and ponds arc frozen. ileh ini^ B 't» ZC, 1‘ ln<lerS h,IVO lui<l but liUle lighting. Ihe Germans attempted a raid Dl’ici T" 8 r ’ l ' ,,!1 T )t] - v Cupped by our artillery barrage. Me made two small raids. In one a corporal and 15 men cleverly cut out an enemy sentry post, killing eight and caotnring two, our casualties being nil. Anotffier brigade captured throe of the enemy without suffering- any casualties Once ♦ Germans entered our from line, but our casualties were only two slightly wounded. i;ie heaiUi uf the force continues croocl.

GALLIPOLI CRAVES.

MM,HOI RNK. February 16

fllecm vpd February 16. at 10.10 a.m.) 1- W. Hughes has received a lot- , from An nbishop Cerretti stating that tee i ope has obtained guarantees from tile J urkish ( •nvernment as to the news sity ot safeguarding the graves at Oallipo i and obtaining photographs, w l,ieh v.-dl be forwarded to Air Ilimhes

MAORIS’ GENEROUS GIFT,

[Per United Press Association,]

V\ EI.LING I ON, February 16. tne Governor has received from Mr P.or.ar Law (Secretary of Slate for (he ( o.onief.i a, letter requesting him to inform die Native Minister that lie had placed before His Majesty the King the Ministers .eltcr of October 5, with regard to a donatnm of 30,000 acres of land in the Ohaoka block, between Xapier.and I'aupu. by To Henhen Tnkino, Kingi Topia, and' the Xgati Tuwharetoa tribe generally, for the lienefit of returned soldiers. Mr Bonar Law added that the King had instructed him to express his high appreciation of the gift made by the Xgati Tuwharetoa tribe.