GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17217, 21 January 1918, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

BRITISH MAN-POWER BILL.

REACHES COMMITTEE STAGE.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, January 18. Official: At tho secret session of Parliament, after discussion, the Prime Minister spoke on the second reading of the ManPower Bill, which was then carried without discussion. The Bill was then committed to Committee of the Whole House. GERMAN INTERNAL CONDITIONS. THE PINCH OF STARVATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, January 18.

Charles Grasty, cabling to the New York Times, states: I find ever-increas-ing evidence in Holland and Switzerland that Germany is feeling the pinch of starvation, and that the strict enforcement of the blockade is affecting the Germans 1 stomachs and nerves. Therefore they will shortly make a last desperate effort.

" The Allies' military leaders believe that the enemy will strike hard on the Franco-British and Italian fronts; that they will utilise all their submarines and send cruisers and U boats to American waters; also that they will use deadlier gases and bigger guns." Mr Grasty adds: " But the Allies are thoroughly prepared, and will meet the onslaught confidently and unflinchingly."

BOMBARDMENT OF YARMOUTH.

THREE DESTROYERS TOOK PART. LONDON, Jannary 18. The bombardment of Yarmouth was apparently the work of three destroyers. The night was wild and dark, the visibility being so bad that the British patrols were unable to see more than 300 yards. The enemy destroyers went at full speed past Yarmouth, and fired indiscriminately. THE CAILLAUX TREACHERY. ANOTHER ARREST. _ PARIS, January 18. M. Hanan, Paris correspondent of an Italian newspaper, has been arrested in connection with the Caillaux charges. BRITISH FRANCHISE. RELIEF TO CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. LONDON., January 18. The House of Lords carried an amendment to the People's Bill, giving the franchise to conscientious objectors who have been unconditionally exempted by the tribunals, and subsequently took up work of national importance. MILITARY CROSSES. AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter. LONDON, January 18. Military Crosses have been awarded to the following New Zealanders:—Lieutenants M. C. Milne and K. J. Tait and Second Lieutenants C. A. M'Kenzie and J. H. Picot. SOUTH AFRICA'S DETERMINATION. "ALL POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE." Australian and N.Z." Cable Association. CAPETOWN, January 18. (Received Jan. 20, at 5.5 p.m.) The Union Parliament was opened today. The Governor-General's Speech said that certain proposals would be submitted in pursuance of a policy to render the British Government all possible assistance in the prosecution of the war. INSURRECTION AMONGST AUSTRO-GERMANS. THOUSANDS SHOT. NEW YORK, January 18. (Received Jan. 20, at 5.5 p.m.) The United Press Petrograd correspondent states that wholesale disaffection is spreading in the Austro-German army, and entire Austrian companies have been shot for sympathising with Russian Socialism. Twenty-five thousand armed Germans have joined the fast-growing number of deserters. Von Hindenburg is strenuously endeavouring to put down insubordination, and ordered a thousand men to be shot for refusing to obey officers.