LATE WAR NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 7 December 1916, Page 5

LATE WAR NEWS.

THE CABINET CRISIS. MR ASQUITH’S DUTY. GENERAL ELECTION NECESSARY. SOLDIERS DISFRANCHISED. Received December 7, 11.55 a.in. LONDON, Dec. 6. The -Daily Telegraph’ deeply regrets rliai it is* impossible to settle the differences, in the Cabinet without an open rupture. The King’s Government must be carried on. If Mj- Asquith served under Dr Bonar Law it would only add a new lustre, to his already splendid record. Loiy.l Chatham .served under Lord .Newcastle, and Castloreagh under Lord Liverpool. Unity has been Britain's strength. It would he a tragedy if we paralysed our conduct ol a foreign, war hv a rei.urn to barren domestic conflicts. Though it is recognised that a general election may he essential, newspapers point out that the 1913 register disfranchised bO per cent, of those civilians who had changed their _ addresses or were lodgers. All soldiers, who number probably 4,000,000 voters, will he disfranchised. An election under such circumstances would be a farce. •The Daily Mail’ attacks Mr Asquith, Fail Grey and Mr Balfour, whom it designates as -‘the Haldane gang.” Mr Balfour throughout the crisis has hem confined to a sick room through intlnon/.a. He has attended no meetings, and has made, no statement. ‘The Daily Mail’ states that Mr Asquith on Sunday gave a. general assent !<. Mr Lloyd George’s proposal. Mr Lloyd George on. Monday received an assent in. writing, but by afternoon Mr Asquith informed him that he was not prepared to make a statement in the House of Commons.

ON THE SEAS. MOERAKI'S FATALITIES. Received December 7, 11.00 a.m. LONDON, Dee. 6. Eight perished in the, Mooraki, and there worn ill survivors, including the captain. A POPULAR APPOINTMENT. (Published in 'The- Times.') Received December 7, 12.2") p.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. 'The Times' comments, on the appointment of Rear-Admiral Halsoy, ex-cap-tain of the- battle cruiser New Zealand, as Fourth Sea Lord as being likely to be gratifying, to the- dominions. AMERICANS LOST. FLRTHER "NOTES" REQUIRED. Received December 7, 1.30 p.m. NEW YORK. Deo. (?. The crew of the steamer Palermo, which was torpedoed off the Spanish coast, included -17 Americans. FIGHTING IN AFRICA. A GALLANT DEFENCE. (Renter's Telegrams.) "Received December 7, 12.25 p.m. LISBON, Dee. 6.

The Premier has announced that two thousand German Askaris with guns ot various calibres attacked Ncwelk. near the .Mozambique frontier, and for 12 hours the battle raged. After 12 days' ."icge the garrison succeeded in'retirmg during the night time on November 2S. THE BALKANS. IMPORTANT SUCCESSES. (Renter's Telegrams.) Received December 7, 12.25 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. Serbian Headquarters states that the latest Serbian successes are important. The newly-captured positions threaten Sokol. If the latter falls the entire Mugeen region will ho freed of the enemy. AN ADVANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter). Received December 7, 12.2.") p.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. The Franco-Serbians have progressed north of Paralovo, and there lias been a violent artillery duel to the north of Monastir. A NEST OF SPIES. (Renter's Telegrams.) Received December 7. 12-.2-") p.in. ROME. Dec. 6. The 'Giornale-d'lralia' says that there were 6000 German spies in Rueharest when the war started. Many were arrested and others were interned. Oh the morning that war was declared the Ring ordered the arrest and courtmartial of all the Palace servants. RUMANIANS RETIRE. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Router.) Received December 7, 12.2-7 p.m. LONDON, Dec. (>. A Russian communique states that the enemy has been successful in the direction "of Tirgovista, Ploosti and the region of Dokanesti, on the TituRucharest. railway, where the Rumanians were compelled to retire in consequence of ihe piercing of their front. The enemy attacks in other sectors were repulsed. SITUATION PERILOUS. YENTZELOS URGENT. (United Service.) Received December 7, 1.30 p.in. I.OXDOX, Dec. 6. M. Venizelos, in messages to bis friends in London, urges the Allies to act immediately as the situation is perilous. BULGARIA'S WISHES. (Renter's Telegrams.) Received December 7. 1.30 p.in, AMSTERDAM. Dec. fi. Tlie 'Zoitung Gammittog' publishesan interview with a Bulgarian statesman. Bulgaria's first, condition of peace -will he the relinquishment- of Russian hopes of obtaining possession of Constantinople. WITH THE ITALIANS. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY Received December 7. 1.30 n.m LONDON, Dec. f>. An Italian communiqu estates that ibeer is intense artillerying between Gorizia. and the sea.

[ NEW PRIME MINISTER. MR LLOYD CEORCE ACCEPTS. I MR BONAR, LAW. ASSISTS! I Received' Deecmber 7, 10.55 a-.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 6. Mr Lloyd George has. agreed to form a. Cabinet, Mr Bonar Law co-operating BRITISH NEWS. RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS. LEAVE WITHDRAWN 1 . JEWELLERY PROHIBITED. Received 1 December 7, 12.20 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. The Board; of Trade's order for decreasing traffic on tlhe railways contemplates a. 50 per cent, increase in passenger fares, in some cases the withdrawal: of tickets, the abolition of race -trains, of restaurant and sleeping cars. The Army Council is withholding soldiers' week-end leave except, to thos« at. the front. The Board of Trade has prohibited the importation of foreign jewellery owing to foolislhi lyuying hy wel-jpaddi war workers. WHAT TO EAT. MAXIMUM PRICES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) Received December 7, noon. LON»l)ON, Dec. 6.. The pub-lie welcomes the Board of Trade's- orders regarding simpler meals, in hotels, clubs, and also tlhe forthcoming order prohibiting eating meatu poultry and', game on certain days at Home. An Army order fixes the nraximiMtt charges 'for soldiers' meals at uotelte. and resaurants as follows:—Luncheon 3s 6di, tea l s Gd. dinner 5s 6d, supper as 6dl. This is inclusive of drinks. ON THE WESTERN FRONT. WJTH THE BRITISH. ('Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reutor.) Received December 7, 12.25 p.m. LONDON, Dec, 6. Sir D. Haig reports: There has'been intermittent enemy shelling on the Ancre front. FRENCH FRONT TRANQUIL. (Australian and NI.Z. Cable Association andi Reuter.) Received December 7, 12.25 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. A French communique states, that nothing ha»j occurred on the west front. IN THE EASTErITtHEATRE. A LIBEL ACTION. (Published in 'The Times.') Received December 7, 12-.25 p.m. PETROORAD, Dec. 6. M. Sturmer is issuing a claim for libel, against M. Milenkoff for his speech in the Duma wherein he alleged that the former's private secretary acknowledged sharing a bribe with his employer.