AUSTRIA'S PEACE OFFER.

Mataura Ensign, 18 April 1917, Page 5

AUSTRIA'S PEACE OFFER.

SUPPORTED BY THE KAISER. f THE END OF"THE TETHER. I AMSTERDAM, April 16. I The Austrian Government's authorised statement, practically amounting j l"o a peace offer to Russia, says:— i' '"The monarchy learn.s from ilie Russian Governments manifesto ol" the iOili that Russia, like An stro-Hungary, desires an honorable peace without desiring domination over other peoples. It may therefore be stated that AustroHungary and Austria are similarly striving' for a peace guaranteeing the existence, the honor, and the possibility of the development of the belligerent States. The monarchy is convinced that its claims are not in conflict Avith those of Russia. The latter has stated that she is only fighting in defence of tho freedom of her people. Russia is uo longer compelled to fight for lhat ehiect. arid therefore it should not be .difficult to establish an understanding 'between the Central Powers and Russia, especially as the -Austrian Emperor is in agreement with his Allied monarch's desires to live in future in peace and friendship with the Russian people." Reuter's correspondent adds that the pronouncement in favor of peace with Russia caused no surprise, it was well understood that only the German refusal to co-operate prevented the issue ol definite peace proposals on the oc-casion-of the recent meeting of German and Austrian monarchs. To-day's declaration suggests that Austria is reaching the end of her tether, and is seeking a separate peace with Russia". The resignation of Count Marlinic, j Austrian Premier, on the grounds of health was announced to-day, and i?> probably connected with the new peace move.

RUSSIA WILL NOT ACCEPT. . CENTRAL POWERS MAY SPLIT. NEW YORK, April 17. The 'Tribune's' London ■correspondent ■ says, that although there is no danger of Austria's offer to Russia being entertained, the action is interprets 1 as a forerunner to tiie dismemberliivnl of the Central Powers' alliance. GERMAN CORPSE FACTORY, A GHASTLY BUSINESS. | 'THOROUGHLY SCTENTIFJC." | LONDON, April 17. | The paper 'lndependence Tielge' states that a German Ofi'al Recovery, Company with a dividend earning capital of fc2oO,COO has been established at St. Virh, near '.be Belgian irontier. in a tli'nk forest. Train loads of naked corpses from the west front arrive fliuly. The factory hands, wearing oilskins and masks, and armed with long hooked poles, push the corpses on to an endless chain, which picks them un with big hooks>. The chain carries the bodies to a compartment where they ' are disinfected, steamed and dried, and finally they are automatically detached from the chain and dropped into a great cauldron, where u»i\ are steam heated, while slowly stirred by machinery lor eight hours. The process results in steariue. tallow and oil. The latter is redistilled at a separate oil refinery, producing a refined oil of a yellowish brown color, winch is packed in small casks like petroleum. A portion of the by-products are sent to this soap-makers. The factory is thoroughly scientific, and is fitted with the Jatesc appliances and electrical machinery. Ii employs two chemists and eighty men, who are clo-ely guarded and not allowed to leave the works.

."■AMERICA AND THE WAR. THE CONSCRIPTION ISSUE. PRESIDENT'S INSISTENCE. • .WASHINGTON, April 17. Although tho. House -Committee's informal vote against conscription ' is. bcs4 lieved to represent the sentiment of the Ho^fahT~President Wilson will strongly insist ~hat ■conscription is essential. BRITISHERS IN THE STATES. A ROUND UP POSSIBLE. [ WASHINGTON, April 17. i The 'New York Times' predicts that ihe British Commission will urge that u po\vei" be given to round up Britishers lin tlio United States. CANADA'S WHEAT. UNRESTRICTED TRAFFIC. i ■ ~ ' - - !' OTTAWA, April 17. Canada has free listed wheat,' and'is permitting' unrestricted- traffic with , America. ,' ; • SUBMARINES IN MEXICO. ASSEMBLED AT VARIOUS PORTS. EL PASO, April 17. Government agents have learned that submarine parts have been -brought to Mexico and assembled at Progreso, Yucatan and-other ports. CHINESE & JAPANESE FARMERS. FOR PRODUCING FOOD.

; WASHINGTON, April 17. In Congress n. Bill is ready for introduction to allow the, .entry of half a million Chinese arid Japanese farmers during the food production campaign. A fight over the measure is certain. BRITISH NEWS. CONTROIToF CORN. MAXIM or "prices fixed. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association | iiinl Renter.) | LONDON, April 17, i The- Press Bureau announces that Lord Deronporf (Food Controller) takes orer' on the 30 ih all ha Hey except home-grown which is not kiln dried. He is'fixing the maximum, price of | liome-grpwn wheat at 78s per quarter |of -1801b; barley, except kiln dried, (55s i per quarter of -1001b; oats, o">s per I quarter of 3121b. .

INCREASED COST OF LIVING. LONDON. April 17. Ifr is ofl'ieally estimated that English lood .prices flurjnft the war have risen !H per cent., and the general cost of li\ ing, Ho per cent. HONORS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. LONDON, April 17. Militarv. Crosses have been awarded to the following New Zen landers :—• Captain A. C Hnhhnr(T. Lieutenant*' A K. Mewett. C. H. Senior (Aucklanders). arid .F. J. Sfcallard. One New Zealnndor has giver the ONlrngiiislied Conduct Modal, nn • 13 3]ilitnrv Medals have been awarded. THE HUTTING CONTRACTS. LONDON. Anvil "in. '['lie rennrf of the commission of in-nuii-v info Ihe'contracts of SSir John .Ineksoti. Ltd., for tlie eniis+niefion of Army' huts slates f'at the firm's first i nd'nr was liona fide, instigated by watriotie inot'uvy. An agreement was V'-va"L"HI at a- oition.l time, which proAided for excessive payments. An independent trilmnnl woiild 'probably have awarded much less than £150,700