GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17067, 27 July 1917, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

KECRUITING IN BRITAIN. PROPOSED CIVILIAN DEPARTMENT. AiutaJian and N.Z. Cable Association. • LONDON, July 25. -The newspapers comment favourably on Lord Derby's proposal that recruiting be entrusted to a civilian department. Tnere is a renewal of the belief .that the medical examinations under the War Office have proved so defective that they are becoming dangerously unpopular. Civilian tribunals are already largely responsible for the selection of recruits, so Lord Derby's reform is less revolutionary than appears at first sight. When the War Cabinet approves of the number of men whom the War Office demands, civilian bodies will be called on to nnd the men, medically examine them, and *r^ 111 to the devote. The Committee on Medical Examinations had already indicated tiiat it was in favour of entrusting recruiting to a civilian department, but Lord Derby dramatically intervened and suggested that the recommendation should be carried! to its farthest limit.. SEAT FOR ADMIRALTY LORD. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, July 25' Sir Eric Geddes (First Lord of the Admiralty) has been elected unopposed for Cambridge, vice Mr- A. H. Paget (r&signed). ■ A GERMAN OFFENSIVE. NO GREAT MOVE EXPECTED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association COPENHAGEN, July 25." The National Tidende's Berlin, correspondent states that no great German offensive is expected. In future the Reich ta<r's majorities will be for peace, this action being due to the fact that they prefer peace now, and are convinced that Germany will not get better terms abc months hence. They believe that Germany is" unable to obtain victory and dictate terms Although she cannot be defeated, she cannot defeat the Allies. The people have been greatly deceived, because Britain has not been forced to abandon flhe war before the harvest through the depredations of the Orerman submarines. GERMANY'S WAR AIMS. • Australian) and N.Z. Cablo Associa-.ion .' AMSTERDAM, July 25. A sensation has been, caused in Germany by an article in the Kreuz Zeitung stating that tlhe Kaiser and- the entire army are in agreement witfc the Conservatives in regard to Germany's war aims. The Berliner Tageblatt declares tfliat the German nation has pronounced its views through the Reichstag, and cannot tolerate any obscuration of thiß declaration. Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but, is worth the money Advt