GENERAL STEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17239, 15 February 1918, Page 5

GENERAL STEMS

SWISS OPINION.

VICTORY FOR THE ALLIES.

Australian and N.Z. Cable- Association. NEW YORK, February 13. Mr Silnras, in a further despatch ,to the United Press from Berne, says: —

" The Swiss believe that the Allies will win this year if the west front holds firm. Hindenburg does not expect Austria's help, ag the wobbling Emperor Karl fears to send many Austrians to the west front. Ludendortf has reorganised the German army, and has probably 200 divisions ready for the offensive.

'' I am informed that the Germans have completed plans to invade Switzerland if such a course is necessary. Hindenburg is massing troops and ammunition, against the French right flank, and the Swiss are asking whether tho treaty of 1815 is to be the nest scrap of paper. The Germans in Zurich openly boast that Germany could smash the Swiss army in 48 hours. The Swiss believe that Hindenburg will not hesitate to invade Switzerland if he considers it advisable. The country is alive with German agents trying to start a Swiss revolution."

BRITISH SHIPBUILDING.

BIG AMALGAMATION PROJECTED. LONDON, February 13. The Central News states that, negotiations are proceeding for the amalgamation of the leading shipbuilding, armour-plate, and iron and steel firms in Glasgow, Birmingham, and on tlio north-cast, coast, including Vickers and Beardmore. NON-REGISTRATION AS ALIEN. AN APPEAL CASE. LONDON.. February 13. ITeinrich Markwald, for many years in business in Australia, has appealed to the King's Bench against a line of £5 for failing to register as an alien. Mr Ernest Pollock, K.C., argued that Markwald, under his Australian naturalisation, was to all intents and purposes a British subject. Mr Justice Lawrence said it appeared to him this was precisely the class of case where a man ought to ba placed under surveillance. Judgment was reserved.

COMMONWEALTH SHIPBUILDING. SYDNEY, February 14. The Commonwealth Government has taken over the Walsh Island State shipbuilding yards in Sydney Harbour. BOY BABIES. A POPULAR THEORY EXPLODED. MELBOURNE. February 14. (Received Feb. 14, at 8.30 p.m.) The Commonwealth Statistician disrvjreo.s with the wirloly-held lx>lief that boy babies preponderate during war time.. The- statistician's investigations show that thero is not the slightest sign of any increase of masculinity as the result of the wax.