WITH THE NEUTRALS.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13934, 17 July 1917, Page 6

WITH THE NEUTRALS.

ARGENTINE-ON THE VERGE; SOON TO'JOIN THE ALLIES, (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) -,7 BUENOS AIRES, Jtily]/), Argentine's' severance of relations with Germany is expected hourly, . The report, that the German Minister fleered at the torpedoed Argentine sliijig as "rat traps," coupled with GeWny's failure to answer the ultimata, has aroused the bitterest feelj Jr. Miguel Ortiz, former Minister of 1 the Interior, and oilier prominent Argen ■ tiniaiis, speaking at a dinner to French veterans, said that Argentina would soon he allied with the Allies.

SPAIN AND THE WAR, 'DETERMINED ON NE..-....UTY. 1 GROWTH QF, REPUBLICAN SENTIMENT . (Renter Telegrams}, LONDON, July l;v The Madrid corespondent of .The Daily Express interviewed King Alfonso who emphasised the opinion that Spain must remain neutral until .the eiid unless' she was attacked. The King said: "Our relations with Britain and France' are excellent, Spain is viable to supply, them with material, anjl if England will supply us with coal and the Uiiiten States send us cotthn, everything will be perfect. Some Spaniards admired the pre-.war reputation of the German wise were anti-Alfvj, ; Referring to the crisis, King Alfonso saul that Spain was suffering from financial stagnation resultant oh industrial unrest, and the situation' ins complicated by-the patriotic fioyement which.

.wants to see mopcy vote for the Army utilised \n tlie best bedt possible way. The Army demanded to be modernised, but iMvas nntriio.tljat its .discipline -oi; loyalty lia'd • been - impaired. Another complication arose through the Catatonias demanding a sort of Home Rule, The Government was prepared io satisfy any justified demands fro M .i all-parts of .Spain, but. the-crisis cotil.l. not be settled before the end of tin 1 war. Jt was impossible for him to oftev mediation alter the recent declarations bv LUr' Lloyd George ;and Al. Kibot, The war would cause an imhnense upheaval.in all.countries, -ami I Jean towards i State Socialism.

King Alfonso regret-tod that the Spanish reformers, formerly pro-Monarc.iv ists, now side with the Republican i. saying that he belonged to the past ages, Hut,," ho asked "isi there a more modern King tlinn ] - ,

BOMB PLOTS IN NORWAY. . . GERMAN ADMISSIONS. (Australian ami N.Z. Cable Association) _ .hilj Jy. The ..'German 'Crtgarding./ tk-. Chriatiania bonili plot admits that the German military depot sent the explosives bv a Gorman courier. Tl»e German Government, .disapproved this, uujnstiflablo proceeding, and is taking steps against those responsible. Germany will apologise.

THE- CHAMPION-INTRIGUER.-GERMAN- GOLD POSTERS. / CHINESE/ TURMOIL. 7 (Australian and N,Z, Cable Association) There A is littlo.- do\ibt that Germany-, financially; the "Monarchial, rising, It transpires that the German Minister, before leaving* tlio countrv held a Jong conference with Chang llsun, T'ic citj is quiet pd oiw ia lapwl) being restored, J J 'hij'' i • 1 V 1 i' - £ • 1 $

WILD SHOOTING OF ARTILLERY, MORE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES, THAN MILITARY, ■' r' (Times .Service). Received July 10, 8.25 p.m. IPEKING, July 15: ; Despite mi enormous expenditure rof ammunition during the. . little, [the casualties were only 10, killed anMO Avonndtid,: while-30-civilians"were killed and> .hundreds.-:wounded .by,,,stray Ijuljels, The shooting was of the wildest possible character; Chang Ilsun's troops have been disarmed, being given, three months' pay anil disbanded,