AERIAL WARFARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 20

AERIAL WARFARE.

The Air Board describes successful bombing raids in France on the German artillery. Prisoners admit that large numbers of guns were directly hit as a result of the accurate observation of the British aviators. Captain Beauchamps, who bombed Munich railway station on November 16, ha*? been killed in an aerial duel at Douaumont. He took part in the raid on Essen on September 23. SHORTAGE OF SHIPPING. Sir Norman Hill, in Fairplay, says the British shipping losses for 24 months were 12 per cent, of the ante-war ocean-going ships, and 11 per cent, of the ante-war tonnage. New ships have replaced the greater part of the losses. The shortage in shipping is due to the Admiralty's use of ships and not to the enemy's destruction. Sir Joseph Maclay. has initiated an important twofold scheme to revolutionise our carrying capacity. It comprises: firstly, the speeding up of the construction already begun; secondly, a new method of quicker construction, which means the standardisation of hull and engines. The scheme is expected to go far to fill the gap of tonnage due to submarine depredations. The Government is taking over all the shipping to cany foodstuffs and coal, which warships will convoy. The shipping companies have been informed that in future no information will be cabled to America regarding the arrival or departure of British ships. This is intended as a precaution against submarines. FOOD RESTRICTIONS IN THE HOMELAND. The first food restrictions in Britain have come into operation, commencing with restricted meals in hotels and restaurants. The officials of the Food Control Department are making inquiries as to sugar stocks, and it is expected that the ration will bo fixed at §lb per head per week. Britain, however, is paying considerably less for food than the enemy capitals. Tho average increase in the price of the staple foods in the United Kingdom since the war is 84 per cent., as compared with 109 per cent, in Berlin and 176 per cent, in Vienna. The largest increase in Britain is in eggs, sugar, fish, potatoes, and frozen mutton, which are from two to three times dearer. Margarine, milk, and tea show the smallest increases.

Including- rent, clothing, fuel, and light, a family whose pre-war income was 40s per week now requires 64s per week to have the snmo comforts as before the war. Recreation grounds and parks in many provincial towns, as well as railway embankments, aro being increasingly turned into cultivation as food uveas. The National War Savings Committee is urging greater economy at weddings and Christmas treats, and largely reducing the receptions of soldiers. Sir G. Cavo (Homo Secretary) stated in the House of Commons that it is proposed to give the Food Controller power to in-

crease supply, prevent waste, regulate sale and distribution, and fix prices. The Board of Agriculture is urging increased production of oats, believing that Britain could easily produce sufficient for Home requirements. In reply to a question, Sir R. Winfrey stated that 69s had been fixed as the price of wheat. This applied only to next season. The Government was considering the question of future guarantees. There has been a sharp advance in wholesale prices for tea in Great Britain, which have risen 10 per cent, in a week, owing to a decrease of 50 per cent, freight space for Indian tea.

UNIVERSAL NATIONAL SERVICE. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George said that Cabinet had adopted universal national service, employing for national work all men not taken for the army. The Government was appointing a Director of Military and Civil National Service. It would ask Parliament for further powers if the man-supply proved inadequate. The Government would ask the people for further sacrifices in the matter of food, also of excess profits. The Daily Chronicle, outlining the scope of the National War Service scheme, says it is of the boldest and most far-reaching character. All men between the ages of 17 and 56 must place themselves at the disposal of the State for the duration of the war, and must consent to be transferred to appointed occupations and to bo localised where their services are most required. It is essential that the State must have power to control and d'rrct tho mobility of labour. There is no guarantee, for example, at present that a man released from the army for agricultural work will return to the land. The Government proposes that full trade union wages shall be paid to war workers, in addition to a subsistence allowance of 2s 6d daily if men

are transferred to places necessitating their maintaining two homes. A schedule of the indispensable and tho non-essential trades will bo drawn up. and the non-essential industries will be shut down -without compunction, in order that labour may be available for munition making and productive industries. The stimulation of the mobility of labour is important as adding to the quantity of the output. It is estimated that 40 per cent, of the war workers at any given time are idle owing to lack of mobility. One of Mr Neville Chamberlain's chief functions as Directorgeneral of National Service will be transferring batches of men to places where workers are urgently required.. lie will have power to billet war workers on private houses. It is important that the trade union leaders shall be associated with Mr Chamberlain's work. Following the analogy of Lord Derby's recruiting scheme, a short'time will be allowed for the voluntary enrolment of war workers; but if the necessary number of men are not forthcoming tho' Government will appeal to Parliament for compulsory powers. The War Office has released 12.000 miners OS unfit for general service, and returned them to tho m.'r.os. The Grovmiment hns granted the Irish railwaymen a 7« weekly increase in wages. The House of Commons adopted tho requisition for an additional million men for the army. The Government has taken ever the whole product of the Irish distilleries for munition purposes. Though this will not nfiVet the retail supply for three years, tho "trade" expect that the Government will come to a decision on the prohibition question before the end of the war, and that drastic limitation of the sale of alcohol will probably be imposed, if absolute prohibition is not introduced. PARLIAMENT PROROGUED. THE KING'S SPEECH. In his Speech proroguing Parliament the King exhorts the Empire to prosecute the war with the single endeavour to vindicate international rights violated by the enemy and re-establish European security ._ Parliament has been prorogued until February 7. The King's Speech alluded to the vigilance and valour of the army and navy, cud tho confidence, however long the struggle, in the inflexible determination of all subjects of tho Empiro to achiovo the

victorious consummation of our war aims. The Government had been reconstructed solely with the object of furthering thorn, unaltered and unimpaired. The vigorous prosecution of the war must bo cur sirig'e endeavour until wo vindicate the rights violated by the enemy and establish Europe's security on a sure foundation. The King concluded by expressing his assurance "of the united support of _ all hia people in this sacred cause, and invoked God's help HOW THE SOMME RELIEVED VERDUN. General de la Roixe, analysing the results upon Verdun of the Somine offensive, says the situation on the Mouse in June was serious. The Germans had 22 divisions and 600 batteries in action, with 12 divisions in reserve. The FrancoBritish offensive on the Sommo by July 9 compelled 11 of the reserve divisions to bo engaged on the Somme. Finally the Germans were obliged to detach units from all the calmer sections of the front. During July the Crown Prince was compelled to give up 100 batteries, and during August he gave- up part of his infantry and aeropanes. Only 18g divisions were left on tho Mouse in October, when another 100 batteries were taken away. GERMAN FOOD RESOURCES. The completion of the German harvest reveals a serious situation. The potaco crop was 20.000.000 tons, compared with 50.000,000 tons in 1915. This shortage in potatoes equals 5.000.C00 tons in cereals; but, as it has been ascertained that tho cereal harvest increased by 3,500,000 tons, tho n<t deficit is equivalent to 1.500,000 tons of cereals. What is left of the barley is being used instead of potatoes for making bread. Germany hopes that 1.000,000 tons of barley will bo obtained from Rurr.'ErJa.

Germany has promised increased meat rations in February, but this is owing to the impossibility of feeding stock. Four hundred thousand Berliners feed at the municipal eating-houses daily. Herr Batocki, when attending the Aus-tro-Hungarian Food Conference at Budapest, stated that 25.000.000 hectolitres of grain, including 21,000,000 of wheat, had been captured in Rumania, and supplies for Germany and Austria were now assured till the harvest. The German Government has issued, through the Cologne Gazette and other newspapers, a warning that the conquest of Rumania will not produce any immediate relief in connection with the food supply, adding that it is impossible to increase tho rations of bread, meat, or anything. SMUGGLING. The Manchester Guardian's Stockholm. correspondent states that, despite the closest watching and heavy penalties, to Germany is flourishing at all Scandinavian ports. The smugglers are mainly Germans, but they arc sometimes Scandinavians. The smugglers arc displaying great zeal and ingenuity to overcome the lengthening list of prohibited exports, now numbering several hundred items, including all foodstuffs, textiles, raw materials, and machinery. Tho number of Customs officials has been increased threefold. It is suspected the German officials are paying the small traders fines, amounting to tens of thousands of crowns. GERMANY'S FINANCIAL POSITION. Le Petit Parisien's correspondent at Amsterdam had an interview with a great German banker, who said: "We shall never conquer our enemies; we have been deceived by their attitude as to their strength. Tomorrow Germany will be financially ruined, aiul internal revolution is the only alternative to peace." The firm of Zimmcrmann arid I'orshay, the German Government's official bankers, are offering bills of exchange at bargain prices, payable on Berlin and Vienna in 90 days, accompanied by tho statement that peace is practically certain in 90 days. This movement is obviously intended to givo American investors a personal interest i'n an early peace. THE LIQUOR TRADE. With a view to accelerating the output of merchant vessels, the Clyde Shipbuilders' Federation has memorialised Mr Lloyd George, urging that the immediate and total prohibition oAho sale of all alcoholio liquor

throughout the kingdom be applied to all classes and individuals aiike. The memorial added; ''This meeting ot tho Clyde and West of Scotland shipbuilders and marine engineers unanimously considers that the nation should be required to submit to tho sacriiiec; while, as shipbuilders and engineers, the meeting is chiefly concerned as to the beneficial effect such a step would have on tho output of merchant tonnage." There were remarkable scenes at Glasgow following tho shipbuilders' pronouncement that prohibition must come if tho tonnage on hand is to be completed. People waited in queues with hampers outside wholesale and retail shops to secure supplies of whisky, tho stock of which in many places was exhausted.

IRISH PRISONERS. In tho House of Commons, Mr Dillon moved the adjournment of tho House, and ■urged the lease of the Irish prisoners before Christmas, which would create a better atmosphere in Ireland. Mr Duke, Secretary for Ireland, said the rebellion had been prepared all over Ireland. The policy had been that if a man's release "would not detract from the peace he bo allowed to go. Lately there had been an improvement in the appeasement. He could not authorise wholesale releases, but the Premier authorised him to say that he would approach the subject with a desire to release the prisoners. Tho Government hoped to reach an immediate decision. Mr Duke subsequently announced that all untried prisoners concerned in the Irish rebelion were about to be released. APPEAL FOR BLIND (SOLDIERS. Sir Arthur Pearson thus appeals to tho press of the world: "Please request your readers to send a New Year's gift to help the men blinded in tho war." He says their numbers are increasing rapidly. Already 160 have been taught to read tho Braille system and to typewrite, and have been settled in profitable occupations, while hundreds more are learning or preparing to learn. But a large permanent fund is needed to assure adequate supervision and assistance. He trusts that those possessing the inestimable gift of sight will send a New Year's thankofforing for the benefit of those who have given their eyes for tho Empire. HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. Tho Military Cross has been awarded to a New Zealander, Second Lieutenant V. Stocker, of the artillery. Five Military Medals have been awarded to New Zcalanders. A NEW WAR LOAN. The new British War Loan Bill authorises tho borrowing of £250,000,000, the interest to be at the discretion of the Treasury authorities. MORE GERMAN FRIGHTFULNESS. It is estimated that yO,OOO Belgians have been deported in the past two months. Some 120 Belgians have been courtmartialled for espionage. Twenty were sentenced to death, and 11 have already been executed. Five hundred persons have been deported from Luxemburg to Germany. The Government is protesting. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO NEW ZEALANDERS.

Mr Massoy and Sir Joseph "Ward have jointly sent Christmas cards to the officers and men of the New Zealand forces, conveying the Dominion's greetings and expressing the hope that the time will soon come when they will return home with victory and honour. General Russell has forwarded the following message from the Now Zealand Forces fighting in France: "Please convey to our relatives and friends and the people of New Zealand our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, and assure them that we look forward with confidence to the future." CHRISTMAS IN LONDON. The arrangements to entertain New Zealand soldiers at Christmas include presents, special dinners at the hospitals, pantomime performance at Hornehurch, and theatrical performance at Walton. The men on leave will dine in the Central Hall at Westminster, and this will be followed by a concert and dance. Christinas in London was the quietest for many years. The high prices of food, in conjunction with the newspapers' appeals for a simple Christmas, have curtailed the festivities. In response to the appeal not to travel, the railway traffic was small, especially for long distances, and many Christmas trains scheduled were not needed. The festive programme at luxurious hotels was modified. The Morning Post's correspondent at the British front remarks that, as portents of Christmas, everywhere where shells go to the firing line lorries bring mistletoe streamers. Twenty-five thousand bags of presents are arriving daily, puddings are plentiful, and everything promises a merry Christmas. GENERAL ITEMS. The export from Egypt of beans and rice is prohibited. Germany's levy en masse was enforced in Prussia within a week, and in Bavaria a week later. The police prohibited a great Socialist peace meeting at Leipzic. Mr Gerard, American Ambassador, has arrived at Christiania en route for Berlin. The British Foreign Office has granted Count Tarnowski, Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to Washington, a safe conduct to America. General von Bissing, _ Military Governor of Belgium, is ill with inflammation of the lungs. A new disease is reported at Hamburg—skin cancer, believed, to be caused by the new war foods. Thirty children are succumbing daily. The Wurtemburg Chamber of Commerce has accepted Turkey's proposal to send to Germany 10,000 Turkish apprentice artisans between 12 and 15 years of age. From sources close to Count Bcrnstorff it is learned that Germany is_ willing to allow tne people of Alsace-Lorraine to decide by vote the question of joining France or remaining tinder German rule. The Frankfurter Post states that, in the event of tho war ending in April. Germany will be compelled to raise • £650,000,000 annually to meet her current expenditure and tho intere---! on h&r loans. Oount Martinic has formed an Austrian Minister in pl.ico of Tforr SMi'sniucller, who takes the Finiirn-e portfolio, but otherwise there is little. ( hanjre of personnel. Count Burian has been nppointed Finance

Minister, and Count Otto Cticrieni Foreign Minister. Hugo Munstrrburg, professor at Harvard University, who was active in Dr Dornburg's propaganda in America, is dead. &f. Thomas, French Minister of War Production, states that the French output of explosives is 600 tons daily, as compared with 130 tons at the beginning of the year. Germany turns out 600,000 shells daily and the Allies 800,000. In tho House of Commons Mr G. H. Boberts announced that railway passenger fares on January 1 would be increased 60 per cent., except workmen's and season tickets up to 40 miles. There would also bo a restriction of the passenger service. _ A decree has been promulgated prohibiting tho storage of cotton or its disposal to anyone except residents (?) without a special permit. Tho decision is intended to prevent shipment to persons having enemy associations. A prodigious decline in the birth-rate in Austria and Germany is arousing the utmost anxiety. One Hungarian district had 270.000 births annually, but owing to the drafting off of the males tho birthrate has averaged only 10,000 in the past two years. The loss of life in this way threatens to equal that of the battlefields. The Japanese Premier, replying Mr Lloyd George's message, says ho is confident that' the British Government under Mr Lloyd George's leadership will, with the Allies, prosecute the war to a complete and lasting victory. Nothing is more consonant with the purpose of the fortunate alliance nor the sentiments long uniting the respective nations. Tho President of Portugal, in an interview, stated that presently there will be 15,000 splendidly-trained troops holding tho Rovuma River from the Indian Ocean towards Nyassa. Six thousand additional troops are also proceeding thither. Portuguese efforts in Europe will be made the moment it will have the maximum effect. General Scott, Chief of the United .States General Staff, testified before tho Military Committee that as the result of the European war America requires an army of 1,500,000 men in instant readiness, and the same number of reserves, who should be ready 90 days after hostilities begin. The General Staff before the war believed that an army of 500,000, with the same number of reserves, would suffice. The Pope is sending 20.000 Christmas hampers, each containing 21b of bread, tinned meat, tins of sardines, chocolates, and dried fruit, to the Italian prisoners interned at Mathausen.

BELGIAN RELIEF. The New South Wales National Belgian Relief Fund Committee has decided, owing to the Germans commandeering and requisitioning food supplies in Belgium, not to ask for further contributions to the fund or to send forward any further subscriptions pending developments. The committee has £44,000 in hand. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. The prospectus has been issued of a new Commonwealth war loan of £2,423,270, being the balance of the authority given to the "Federal Treasurer to borrow 50 millions. The now loan will be used for war purposes. The New South Wales Political Labour League has declined to assist the Recruiting Committee, statins that, owing to certain works closing down it suspected that concerted movements are being commenced by the "discredited and non-representative State and Federal Governments' to force the people into a position where enlistment is the only alternative to starvation. Mr Cahill, president of the Labour Council, has resigned from the League Executive, owing to its attitude on the recruiting campaign. In the House of Representatives, Mr Joseph Cook pressed for a statement regarding the soldiers' referendum vote. Mr Hughes said the men's vote, including that of the nurses, substantially favoured the Government proposals, but at tne request of the Imperial authorities he declined to supoly figures. The Victorian Referendum Council attributes the defeat of conscription at ihc- referendum to the optimistic war cables regarding mobilisation and a deluge of misrepresentations by opponents. The Queensland Legislative Assembly read a first time the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Bill. It empowers the Government to acuiro any land for the settlement of solac(|uire any land for the settlement of solto £SOO for discharged soldiers, and repayment extending over 40 years.