GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16946, 7 March 1917, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

FOOD CONTROL IN BRITAIN,

IMPORTANT ACTION FORECASTED,

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 5. Th<? Daily Telegraph says that Lord Dovonport (Food Controller) will probably take important and far-reaching steps this week regarding food supplies and prices, in order to meet traders, who are now requesting the fixing of higher prices in ■view of the restriction of imports. Lord Devonport, says the Telegraph, has decided, in the event of issuing an official schedule of prices, to take as a standard the prices ruling prior to Mr Lloyd George's speech, unless there is good reason to the contrary. It is fully expected that, the fixing of retail prices will further' hit small suburban shops, which already find it difficult to get supplies.

WAR PRISONERS IN GERMANY. USE AS SCREENS. The Times, LONDON, March 5. Under the German War Minister's direction thousands of war prisoners will be employed in the German lines. The act is generally regarded as the preliminary of future atrocities. The Daily Mail describes it as the maximum of infamy, and thinks it is doubtless intended to use prisoners as screens in the coming battles. Similar assertions preceded the previous use of Belgians as screens against gas. . °,

The Paris newspapers urge neutrals to intervene.

GERMAN SPY IN LONDON.

SERVITUDE FOR LUTE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, March 5. The Press Bureau states that a prisoner was court-martialled in London and sentenced to death for espionage. The finding was confirmed, but was- commuted to servitude for life.

THE GRECIAN DIFFICULTY.

A COUNTEE.-CLAIM.

PEOPLE DRIVEN TO STARVATION.

ATHENS, March 5. Hie French Minister to Greece has discussed with M. Lambros the question of payment of damages arising from the events of December 1.

M. Lambros has preferred counterclaims for damages, which the Greek Government alleges to be due to the allied occupation of certain points of the city — m., ROME, March 5! xne Tnbuna says that in Greece the economic situation is driving the people to starvation. The' Entente are still dissatisfied with the political position. Violent hostile articles appear in the newspapers and the League of Reservists continues to exist clandestinely. A NAVAL HERO. POSTHUMOUS AWARDED. Router's Telegrams. . LONDON, March 5. (Received March 6, at 8.35 p.m.) A thrilling story of the battle of Jutland is now fully revealed by the Admiralty announcement of a posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Commander Jones, of the destroyer Shark which led the division of destroyers in the attack upon the enemy's battlecruiser squadron. The Shark was disabled by two shells, and another destroyer came between the Shark and the enemy and offered to assist. Commander Jones re fused the offer, saying that if tho newcomer remained she would almost certainly bo sunk. Then, though wounded in the legs, he helped to man the after wheel, and subsequently, when the forecastle and after guns' crows -were blown away, Commander Jones assisted in keeping the midship gun in action. (Received March 7, at 0.40 a.m.) All the time tho Shark was under the heaviest fire. A shell amputated: Commander Jones's leg above the knee, but he continued to command the gun crew. Despite his agony, Commander Jor.es. noticing that tho ensign was not prooerly hoisted, ordered another to be raised": then, seeing tho ship was doomed, ordered tho crew to don their lifebelts. Almost immodiatttly the Shark was toipedood and sank, and. Commander Jones was drowned. The survivors who were picked up were awarded Distinguished Service Medals.

FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S THREAT.

BRIEF TIME GRANTED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, March 5. Regarding tho German employment of French prisoners behind the German lines, the French Government has given Germany a brief period within which they must Teply to Franco's protest and threat of reprisals.