GENERAL ITEMS LOSS OF THE FORMIDABLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16277, 9 January 1915, Page 7

GENERAL ITEMS

LOSS OF THE FORMIDABLE.

THE EXPORT OF TEA. AMAZEMENT IN BRITISH BUSINESS CIRCLES. LONDON, January 7. The Standard states that the Government's proposed removal of the prohibition against the export of tea has amazed Mincing Lane. Critics state that Germany's consumption of tea is 9,000,0001b. She obtained 16,000,0001b in August and September through Holland, chiefly for her army. The British price of tea has already been increased by the war tax, and will be further increased if the export is permitted. It is stated that the Board of Trade hopes to remove the embargo on exports, relying solely on caTeful inquiries as to their destination.

STRUCK BY TWO TORPEDOES. LONDON, January 7. The Marquis of Crewe, in Teply to a question in the House of Lords by Lord .• Selborne, said the Admiralty's definite < opinion was that the Formidable was struck by two torpedoes from a submarine. Her captain signalled to another ' ship to keep off because he believed then i was a submarine in the vicinity. ■% WHAT GERMANY WANTS. A DEFINITE STATEMENT. COPENHAGEN, January 7. A Ilerr liallin, interviewed, said thers would never be a lasting peace unless j Germany gets a station for her fleet on the North Sea, securing the same advaafc- ' ages as Britain. FOOTBALLERS AS RECRUITS. CONCESSIONS GRANTED. NEW YORK, January 7* The New York Herald's London cor» respondent states that the professional footballers have at last made a strong rally to the colours. Lord Kitchener haa granted permission to those under eon- «■; tract with their clubs time off from military service to enable them to meet theifl engagements up to the end of the present season, while army pay will be given j irrespective of the club salary that th» ■> men may be drawing. ENDING THE WAR. CONFERENCE OF WORLD'S CHURCHES. LONDON, Jarmaiy 7. The Rev. R. J. Campbell suggests thai, * $ with a view to ending the war, a general ■ council of the world's churches be gam .moned. He adds that the Pope is the one person with a chance of success in calling such a conference. GERMAN HATRED FOR BRITISH. Ij EARL CURZON'S STATEMENT. , (Times and Sydney Sim Services.) -■ LONDON, January 7. (Received Jan. 8, at 5.35 p.m.) 1 In the House of Lords Earl Curzon de- ■ clared that the Germans were inspired with bravery equal to our own. They appeared to be fortified with hatred agaiqsfc us such as we, with a more phlegmatic temperament, were incapable of. EXCHANGE OF INEFFECTTVES. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 7. (Received Jan. 8, at 5.35 p.m.) As the result of the Pope's intervention it is expected that 150,000 civilians ■aafl permanent invalids will be exchanged. A PRO-GERMAN ACTRESS. COMES FROM AMERICA. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 7. (Received Jan. 8, at 5.35 p.m.) Feme Rogers, an American actress playing the title role in "The Sleeping Beauty " at the Drury Lane Theatre, haa resigned because she entertains enthusiastic pro-German sentiments. EFFECTS ON LONDON CLUBS. LONDON, Jannary 7. (Received Jan. 8, at 5.35 p.m.) Great London clubs are feeling the effects of the war. There have been many resignations and few elections, and the staffs have enlisted. The financial pressure is severe. BOY LABOUR. A BIRMINGHAM REQUEST. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 7. i (Received Jan. 8, at 5.35 pjn.) Employers in the Birmingham district are requesting exemption from the schoolboys' permit so that they may eioployj them in order to execute war orders. i ________ \ VALONA AND DURAZZO. ITALY'S PROMISE. ACTION BY GREECE. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 7. (Received Jan. 8, at 5.35 p.m.) Italy has informed the Entente Powers that she will remain content with occupying Valona, and will not occupy Dnrazzo unless grave events render it necessary. Greece is reported to have sent a battleship to Valona. BRITAIN AND THE UNITED | STATES. BUSINESS EXCHANGES NOW NORMAL. LONDON, Jannary 8. {Received Jan. 8, at 9.35 p.m.) The Treasury announces that, in view of the exchange between Britain and the United States being now normal, it is unnecessary for the two Governments to devise a plan to adjust balances. GERMAN MENTAL RETROGRESSION* A POWERFUL INDICTMENT. PARIS, Jannary 8. (Received Jan. 8, at 9.35 p.m.) The French Commissioners' report on Germany's violation of international law states: " Never has a war among civilised nations borne the savage ferocity of character as that waged by Germany. Pillage, robbery, incendiarism, and murder are the enemy's current practice, denoting astonishing retrogression in German mentality since 1870. Outrages oa women and girls are unprecedented. Soldiers and officers finish off the wounded, and mercilessly Kill inofien< sive inhabitants, irrespective of age or sex. INDIAN PRISONERS. TO BE TRANSPORTED TO TURKEY. AMSTERDAM, January 8. (Received Jan. 8, at 9.35 p.m.) A Telegraaf message from Berlin stated that the Indian prisoners in the concentration camp near Berlin will shortly be transported to Turkey, with other Moslem contingents. THE AMERICAN NOTE. CONCESSIONS GRANTED. WASHINGTON, January 8. (Received Jan. 8, at 9.35 p.m.) Sir C. A. Spring-Rice has notified Mr Bryan of a partial settieihent of the questions of contraband arising in the American Note. An agreement is now completed for shipment without molestation of naval stores from the United States to the Netherlands and Italy. Arrangements are pending whereby shipments of copper may be similarly treated. ANOTHER STEAMER MINED. LONDON, January 8. (Received Jan. 9, at 0.30 a.m.) A steamer was mined off Scarborough. The crew were saved.