THE GREAT OFFENSIVE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 13047, 10 January 1917, Page 4

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE.

(A. and N.Z. Cable Assu. and Reuter.) Received January 9„ at -6.45 p.m. London. January 9.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: We repulsed three attempts to approach outlines south-east of Souchez. We effectively bombarded positions eastward of Lesboeufs, on both sides of the Ancre, and westward of Neuve Chapelle. The Germans heavily shelled Ypres. A French communique .says : There-is a lively artillery duel on the right of the Meuse at the foot of the Cotes de Meuse. ,

CERMAN CAMPAIGN IN SPAIN

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.)

Received January 10.; at 10.15 a.m. London, January 9

The German campaign in-Spain continues unabated. It is considered in well-informed, quarters that the German operations may even lead to the Government's resignation. The proGermans not only excuse the submarine campaign against Spanish .merchantmen on the ground that- they are trading in contraband with the Entente, but assert that Romanones has openly sided with the Entente. They impudently denounce Spain for refusing to join the peace campaign. • .

It is believed that the German Ambassador inspires the pro-German newspapers, and it is significant that he recently declared that the steamer San Leandro would not be torpedoed if the captain solicited a safe conduct from him.

BRITISH WAR LOAN

(Renter's Telegrams)

Received January 9, at 6.45 p.m. London, January 8. There is enormous interest attaching to Thursday's war loan. Mr Bonar Law and Mr M'Kenna will address a meeting in the Guildhall, and members of the Cabinet will speak in the provincial centres in support of the loan. Measures are also being taken to enlist tlie support of soldiers and sailors.

(United Service.)

Received January 10, at 11.55 a.m. London, January ;). .The issue' of the new war loan has been postponed to the 12th, { in order to give everybody a fair start..

CEREAL PRICES FI9CED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received January 9, at 8.50 p.m.

London

January 8.

The Food Controller has fixed the price of the 1917 crops as follows :r Wheat, 60s per 5041b; oats, 38s 6d per 3361b; potatoes (minimum six tons), £5 15s between September to January, £6 from February to March, £6 10s for the remainder of the season. All prices are for first quality.

COMBATANTS' COLD RESERVE

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received January 10, at 11.10 a.m. London.' January 9. :

Samuc-l and Montagiy Company's bullion circular shows that at the end of 1916 the gold ia the Bank of Germany was 126 .milions sterling, in the Bank of England 52.840,000, in ; France 203,037,000, Russia 146.840,000, Italy 43,036,000, to whicn, must be added the British visible, stock of .112 millions apart from the banknote reserve, making the ■ Allies' gold resources nearlv 588 millions. \

A NEW ZEPPELIN

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received January 10, at 11.10 a.m.

Paris, January 9. The Central News states that a new Zeppelin lias been completed at- Friedrickshafen. of. which the.propellers work noiselessly. A new device envelops the jjurships in gas if it is desired to render it invisible.

FERDINAND DISAPPEARS,

DISLIKES AIR. RAIDS.

(Australian and N.Z.'Cable Assno

Received January 10,, at 11.10 a.m.

Rome, January 9. Giornale's -Zurich jorrespondent atates that the continued' absence of the Czar Ferdinand of Bulgaria, who has not been at Sofia since. French aeroplanes bombed the Royal Palace, causes annoyance. It is stated that he has taken up* his residence in Austria, and ha% not visited the army for many months.

THE ALLIES CONFERENCE

(Australian and N.Z. .Cable Assn.) Received January It), at 9.5 a.m. Paris, January 9. - M. Bjriand in an interview, said the conference at Rome was of the utmost, utility:. Many-difficulties of.detail had', arisen since • the last conference, and especially during the last few weeks, and attempts had Wen made to disturb the Allies' relations. Therefore -it was necessary to dissipate clouds arid solve difficulties: All this- was undertaken with goodwill, and the conference was a complete success.

EXCHANCE OF CIVILIAN

PRISONERS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.)

Received! Januarv 10, at a.m. Melbourne, .January 10.. Regarding the' exchange of interned it is estimated that 300 Germans over 45 are interned here. It-is not known the -number of Australians over 45 "who are prisoners in Germany.

WIN-THE-WAR PARTY

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received. .January 10, at 9.30 a.m. Melbourne, January 10.

A national organisation has been formed for the purpose of the subordination of party issues and winning the war, supporting in politics: men and parties who during the war are prepared to make national' issues paramount. An executive committee has been appointed to prepare a platform. '

Received January 10, at- 10.35 a.m. Melbourne. January 10

At a conference for the formation of a. national party, Mr Hughes reviewed the war situation, which he considered necessitates the utmost, efforts. He said Germany was far from beaten, aiid Australia must do her duty along with other self-governing dominions bv political and economical organisation, through which the national will, desires, and ideals are expressed and satisfied. Comparing the presentof some Laboritr-s with the grand past, he said the Labor Party would never hale won a majority before the war if it had- not supported the party of na-j tional safetv. i