ENTENTE CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 16

ENTENTE CONFERENCE.

M. Briand (French Premier), Mr Lloyd George, and Lord Mihier were accorded an immense reception on arrival at Rome to meet in conference and exchange views on the general situation. Newspapers emphasise the importance of the meeting, and declare' that the conference signifies that the Entente intends prosecuting decisive events. At a dinner at the French Embassy in honour of the allied representatives, the toasts pledged the Allies to the closest union for a. decisive victory. The allied representatives held further confe enecs on Saturday and Sunday. Generals Cadorra, Lyantey. Dallolio. Morrone. and Palitzine hid a military conference on Sunday. Tin delegates were accorded an ovation in the streets. All of them expressed satisfaction at the complete success of the conference. rr h» whole of the

decisions will bo translated into decisive action, paving the way for victorious issues. The discussions were characteristic by absolute frankness, unselfishness, harmony, and iron determination. Mr Lloyd George declares himself well satisfied with the result of his visit. The conference has resolved upon vigorous resistance and decisive plans for a great effort towards victory. Ho is especially pleased with the Italians munition development. M. Briand declares that the conference revealed a complete agreement, which will soon produce tangible and magnificent results.

NEUTRALITY OF SWITZERLAND. The Daily Mail's Berne correspondent that there is public uneasiness owing to reiterated warnings that Germany may attempt to force a passage through Swiss territory has caused the President and members of the Government to state that. Germany has given most definite and formal assurances that she will respect Swiss neutrality. Should such mad folly be committed Switzerland would resist to the last man. '1 ho Observer points out, that France has opportunely renewed her pledge in respect to Switzerland's neutrality. This declaration is designed to meet beforehand any subterfuge for German violation of Swiss neutrality, as was devised, after the event, for the violation of Belgian neutrality. Following France's example, Germany has undertaken always to respect Swiss neutrality. A NEW BRITISH WAR. LOAN. The Government is preparing investors for the issue of a new loan, expected to be redeemable in 20 years, yielding the investor s~i per cent., or 4 per cent, free of income tax if subscriber? prefer this option. Official: The new war loan will be issued on Thursday. There is great activity in the war loan in r ;US margins at between £97 17s 6d and £9B 10s. The Daily Mail predicts that the new loan will be issued at 5 per cent., with a currency of 40 years, partly free of incometax. THE FOOD SUPPLY. Mr R. E. Prothero (President of the Board of Agriculture) is hard at work preparing a scheme to increase home-grown supplies. He intends to ultilise all German prisoners who are skilled in agriculture. The men will start work in Cornwall and Devon, where spring farming operations begin earliest, and will' work their way northwards. The idea is to employ prisoners in gangs, under the direction of county war agricultural .committees. About 10,000 German prisoners are available for work on the land.

Tlio National Agricultural Labourers Union is asking the Government to fix the minimum wage at 30s a week for farm workers. Mr 11. E. Prothero, Minister of Agriculture, lias appointed an advisory committee of 10 farmers and agricultural experts to assist in the scheme for the homo production of food. Agricultural war committees have been established in the various English counties. War bread has been formally inaugurated, and the public are accepting it without the slightest complaint. Further drastic reforms are expected shortly, and possibly bakers will not be allowed to sell bread under 12 hours old, and will not be allowed to sell fancy rolls. Mr It. E. Prothero, Minister of Agriculture, speaking at Bedford, said the price of oats was fixed at 41s 3d per 3561 b. The War Office, said Mr Prothero, is not taking more farm labourers until the analysis of the- agricultural census has been completed. There are 100,000 women employed on the land; but a similar number in addition is still wanted. The Exchange Telegraph Agency slates that neutral ships leaving Cardiff have been allowed to take 20 times as many potatoes as the crew required, and it is believed the excess has been going to enemy countries. The leakage is serious, and the Board of Trade is inquiring. LABOUR AND MUNITIONS. Sir Douglas Haig wrote to Mr lien Tilleft: "Tell Labour that the best Christmas present it can make to its comrades in the Held is to see that nothing occurs during 1917 to hinder a regular, constant, and increasing output of munitions and war material. If the munition workers and the troops pi.ll together our triumph is certain." THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. No New Year watch-night services were held, bui special prayers were offered lotvictory at the Sunday services. There was no bell-ringing at St. Paul's. The restaurant- closed at 11 p.m., and New Year festivities were not held. Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Glasgow. Throughout the week long queues, mainly of women, were waiting outside licensed shops in order to purchase whisky, which was unsaleable between Friday and Tuesday. Though the publichouses were closed, it is feared that the traditional revelry associated with Hogmanay was continued in private. The New I'ear holiday for munition works, shipyards, and engineering shops lasted from noon on Saturday till Thursday morning, instead of 10 days as in peace time. The shipbuilding and engineering masters are not satisfied that the maximum of efficiency has been reached. Men who formerly drank only in week-ends now drink every night. A certain slackness has crept in, and some jobs take 50 per cent. extra time. The liquor restrictions have made little difference in the matter of lost time, which still averages 20 per cent. The masters believe that the Clyde workmen would accept prohibition without a great outcry.

GERMANY'S KNOCK-OUT POLICY. Professov Meinecke, historian, writing m the Frankfurter Zeitung, admits that Germany intended military aggression, but the brilhantly-bcgun campaign collapsed at the Marne, which was a strategical French success. He admits that the attacks upon Verdun were a failure, but warns small nations to consider the fate of Belgium, Serbia, and Rumania, and they imperil their lives if they, attempt to touch the deadly electric wire of the Central Powers. " Only in a political sense did Germany begin the war as a defensive war. In a military senso it was a 'knock-out' war. It was intended to knock out France and Russia. Germany would then be able to compromise with England, who would have been practically disarmed." After referring to the Marne collapse the German history professor says: "Our attack on Verdun was a politico-military move to

prove to the French that they had better end a war which they couid not wio. But our enemies had pulled themselves together for a gigantic achievement. Their great double offensive began on both East and West fronts. The battle of the SomruO led to the conviction in Germany that it was no longer possible to arrive at a military decision in the full peace-compelling sense. It was therefore statesmanlike, intelligent, and wise for us to abandon our intention of destruction and to seek a reasonable compromise. The war had proved that there were limits to the possibilities of ' knock-out ' strategy between the German Powers. Our motto in the future should be " Not overthrow, but balance.' "

GERMAN NAVY LEAGUE POLICY. The- Krcuz Zoitung, of Berlin, publishes the text of a secret memorandum which the council of tho German Navy League transmitted to Or von Bethmann-Hollweg in June. It states: —"England has been preparing lor this war for 11 years, rihe had an immense military superiority in trained skill and in forming alliances. ;She was successful in welding together her Empire and in winning over all the non-German Powers possessing important navies, while the United States shammed neutrality. After the war England will, in addition to her navy, have an army of several millions, based on compulsory service, while will bo in her hands, and this will constitute a gncvous peril to Germany. '•The key to the future lies in Belgium being under Germany's political inlluence. This .alone will effectively threaten tho British Island Empire. If the coast of Planders is in our possession England will not daro to send her armies to Franco. A return to the pre-war situation in Belgium will be equivalent to defeat in this grievous struggle. Antwerp must be politically and economically dependent on Germany. It is the essential link in the world's encircling chain for Germany's sea trade, "The recovery of the German colonies is indispensable for the defeat of England, who hopes after the war to be undisputed master of the world for a century, as she was after Trafalgar. The protection of German colonies and world trade will require a cruiser fleet able to rely on a few strong land bases, and on floating bases in the shape of supply ships. The German Navy Leaguo considers it impossible to arrive at any, agreement with Britain except an agreement consisting of her fear of our strength. ■

GERMANY'S ECONOMIC POSITION. Dr Schaelfen. a pronounced pan-German-ist, writing in the Leipziger Neuteste Nachrichten, admits that the Allies are capable of destroying Germany's economical forcrf. Already all Germany's exports had ceased, and three-fourths of her manufactures were stopped. It would require years to patch up industry. Germany's future would be crushed trade* new taxes, for there was no question now of the enemy having to pay the cost of the war. Each country would have to pay its own war expense, and England and Russia could do so easier than Germany, which would succumb beneath their development, unless the war secured for Germany large territory to ensure her economical expansion. The Daily Mail's Amsterdam correspondent states that the Reinische Westi'aelisehe boasts that German warlike forces, including war inventions, have not yet shown their full development. The paper says: "England and Franco have long since converted a chivalrous struggle into butchery by franc-tirours and nettoyers. They will bo merciless in their destruction; therefore let us use our new sharp weapons."

GERMANY'S MASS LEVY. Berlin despatches show that Germany, under her scheme of universal labour service, is turning out thousands of guns woeklv. Skilled workmen, withdrawn from the front, are working at Krupps and elsewhere. Tho Germans estimate that it will be four months before there is a renewal of their full offensive on all the fronts. They expect first to attack- Verdun. The potato crop in Germany is disappointing, and there will be privations, despite supplies from Rumania, and food rations will bo strictly limited.

FOOD SHORTAGE IN GERMANY. The Daily Express's Amsterdam correspondent sent a neutral merchant of high standing on a mission of inquiry to Germany, nis itinerary including Cologne and Hanover. Ho also attempted to enter Essen. He reports that, d -spite the continual smuggling of foodstuffs, the condition of North-western German;,- is terrible. The bread is like indiarubbcr, being mado out of the. sweepings of rice and sawdust, yet it is the chief nourishment of the poor population. Tho type of chubby German has disappeared, except among the peasants, who feed at the expense of the town population. The latter are mostly pale and haggard. The population of Cologne receive Ooz of bread. meat (including bones), and 18oz potatoes daily; 220 n of sugar,' 13oz of fat, and 2oz of butter weekly; also one egg a fortnight. Only children under six years have milk, while fresh vegetables, cheese, and tea are unknown. . , , Tii.'re has been a great increase in thefts by boys and girls, who are organising bands. and breaking- into shops. _ Revolutionary ideas are growing. IhG Ert-pcror and the military clique are between two abysses—revolution within and defeat without. The merchant noticed that many women in the churches were carried out. in a fainthi" condition* for lack of nourishment. Many soldiers 0:1 furlough refuse to return to tho front, and are imprisoned or shot. All classes of people are convinced that famine will surely come in the spring, and revolution will break out. unless peace is secured. The people told the merchant to inform the outside world that "wo are starving, and if our soldiers can stand it

any longer wo cannot see our children suffering from hunger. Death would be better than" .such a life. Ask the world to have pity on us, for our own Government has none." , 11. Mr Kcelv (editor of the Chicago Herald), who recently visited Europe, publishes extracts from'the Berliner Tageblatt, proving great food scarcity in Austria and Germany. The Tageblatt stated that on January 1 rations were to be reduced as ' follows:—Potatoes, from lilb to Jib daily; meat, to lees than on meat days; butter, to 2oz weekly. The meat ration is wholly inadequate. Many foodstuffs are unobtainable, while others can be got only at impossible prices. Despite attempts to reassure the people, milk and other commodities are extremely scarce. The situation is daily becoming worse. The Government has been forced to make war allowances to people with incomes up to £240.

FOOD RIOTS IN AUSTRIA. The Morning Post's Budapest correspondent says that tho peace offer was promoted with tho knowledge that AustriaHungary's food will not last for s'x months. The most critical period will be July, when, statisticians assert, not a grain of wheat or maizo will be loft. The Austro-llun-garian soldiers behind the front are already on half-rations. Reports- from Berne .states that food riots occurred in Vienna on Christmas Day. Tho crowds raided the railway stations and pillaged tho warehouses. HOLLWEG UNDER A CLOUD. The Kaiser gave an audience to Herr Zimriiormann, Foreign Secretary, at the headquarters, and received a report _ on America's attitude over tho submarines, whereanent Mr Gerard had communicated with the German 'Government. The fact that tho Kaiser summoned Herr Zimmermann instead of Dr von BethmannHollweg is considered as a snub to the latter. Herr Zimmermann favours "frightfulness." % Krupn's organ. Ncueste Nachrichten, demands the immediate resignation of Dr von Bethmann-Hollweg. The newspaper says that after the Entente's rejection of his peaco proposals, ho is discredited as a weakling, not only in Germany, but in Europe. The Arbeiter Zeitung urges tho instant evacuation of tho west if tho Entente is willing to negotiate peaco thereafter. Tho Neueste Nachrichten bitterly assails von Bethmann-Hollweg's references to "scraps of paper" at tho outbreak of the war, and tho Entente Powers' use thereof in tho recent reply. It is significant that tho Deutsche Zeitung simultaneously declares that these three words are as bad as 10 lost battles. It also demands that von Bethmann-Hollweg should resign. Somo of tho neswpapers demand that von Tirpitz should return to power. AUSTRIA'S NEW EMPEROR, Latest dismissals in Austria are Baron Maccio, principal departmental chief of tho Foreign Office, and Count Forgach, second chief, to whoso machinations tho war was largely due. Another significant move, is tho unmuzzling of the Austrian Socialists, who are now permitted to even demand the evacuation of allied territories in the west and south. There is a general belief that Count Tieza's fall : s inevitable. The Emperor Charles Iris decided to make a clearance of all his predecessor's confidential statesmen, who are so involved with tho Germans as to endanger the independence of tho monarchy. The Emperor desires to rulo constitutionally w ith the co-operation of Parliament and tho sympathy of tho people. The Daily News Borne correspondent states that news from Austria, from trustworthy sources, states that the differences between tho Kaiser and the Emperor Charles have gone so far that they cannot again be reconciled. Austria, having forced Germany proclaims Turkey's independence of negotiations are now being prepared for still more sensational stops. Herr Ctiernini (Austrian Foreign Minister) has arrived at Berlin and conferred with the Kaiser. He lias also arranged for conferences with the Chancellor and leading politicians and bankers. TURKEY'S INDEPENDENCE. A Turkish communication to Austria and Germany proclaims Turkey's independence of the suzerainty of the great European Powers, stating that Turkey enters tho group of great European Powers with a!! rights and prerogatives and an entirely independent government. Turkey has allied herself with Austria Germany on a footing of entire equality. Turkey denounces the Treaty of Paris, 1856 (following tho Crimean war), and the Treaty of Berlin, 1878 (following tho RussoTurkish war), and abolishes the special statutes of Lista and Benanon.

[Anions other provisions, the Treaty of Paris excluded warships from the Black Boa, and tho Treaty of Berlin recognised

Rumania and Serbia as independent kingdoms.!

i Advices from Constantinople t-tate that . Germany is lending Turkey 39,000,000 ! Turkish pounds in paper, upon which Tur- : key has issued notes to the value of ; 35,000,000 pounds Turkish. A neutral who lived for several years in , Constantinople gives details as to condi--1 tions there. The people are eating bread ■ smelling of petroleum, it being made out of wheat abandoned by our troops on Galli- ' poli, which they drenched with petroleum, I in the hope that it would bo rendered use- ! less. Sugar costs 13s a kilogramme, coffee 14s, and petroleum 80s for two and a-half gallons Tho Bosphorus fisheries have boon abandoned owing to the danger from mines. j The" Russian fleet periodically bombards tho coaling station, and has practically blockaded ! the Bosphorus since the capture of Trobi- ! zond. Out of 250 merchant vessels at tho Golden Horn at the beginning of the war, I all except six have been sunk by the Rus- ! sians in the Black Sea or the British and | French submarines in the Sea of Marmora. Tho Grand Sherif of Mecca has boon notified that his assumption of the title, of King Hedjaz has been definitely recognised by Britain, France, and Italy.

POLAND'S FUTURE. Von Bossier, Governor-general of Poland, has warned the Poles that the German promise of independence does not mean that Poland will bo comph fely independent or exempt from war contributions. He appeals for ready obedience to tho regulations of the Germans, who will presently be representing the Polish authorities. Tho Frankfurter Zeitung states that the temporary Polish Cabinet Council will consist of 24 members, Germany appointing 15. Austria's first task will be to organise tho enlistment of a Polish army. All political parties will bo reprosnled in the temporary Polish Cabinet Council, excepting tho National Democrats. The council has hern summoned for tho 9th inst. Germany's nominees havo already been appointed. DISPUTE WITH NORWAY. Britain has prohibited the export of coal to Norway. Tho British Legation at Christiania states that this action is duo to the unsatisfactory manner in which Norway is carrying out certain of her obligations. The coal prohibition causes anxiety in Norway. If the. prohibition bo maintained it will mean the stoppage of tho North Sea traffic. Several Norwegian newspapers attack the British Minister at Christiania, while others assail the Norwegian Government's foreign policy, and aro demanding Cabinet changes. Norway's reply to tho British memorandum has been transmitted. EXCHANGING INTERNED CIVILIANS. An Anglo-German agreement for repatriating all interned civilians over 45 years of age, except 20 each side, has been completed. It applies to tho whole of the Empire. Germany has agreed to tho inclusion of retired naval and military men not receiving pay, oven though they may bo receiving pensions. Seven hundred British are being exchanged for 6000 Germans. A NEW EMPIRE ORDER. An agitation is afoot for women to bo admitted to the now Empire 'Order, membership of which does not necessarily carry a knighthood. Mr Massey, interviewed, said that if the now honour was gven to Empire men, it was right, and proper that it should be extended to Empire women, and thus recognise tho splendid work women had done throughout the war. New Zealand women of every rank had come forward, and had not failed to perform any task set them. GERMAN BANKS IN LONDON. Tho report of tho winding-up of five German-Austrian banks in London shows that the liabilities discharged to the end of September totalled £27,600,000. Securities worth £7.600.000 have been delivered to British, allied, and neutral owners. The assets realised amounted to £23.460.000. Tho debts to the Bank of England have been reduced from £11,635.000 to £4,811,000. Securities estimated at £26,000,000 still remain in the banks' custody. The Daily Mail says tho banks should bo immediately shut down, their German managers interned, and all unrealised securities handed over to tho Public Trustee. PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. His Excellency tho Governor Lord Liverpool has received the following telegram from General Sir Archibald Murray, Com-mander-in-Chief of tho British Forces in Egypt:—"l desire to inform your Excellency personally of my high appreciation of the brilliant work performed by the Australian and l\c\v Zealand mounted troops during tho operations at El An'sli, and also in tho action at Maghdaba. which took place on December 23. A column which consisted of Australians and New Zealandero, under Brigadier-general Chaytor, with came] battalions ' (of which part wore New Zea-

landers), wore all under the command of General Chauvel. The successes which were obtained were due both to General UhauvoPs brilliant handling of liis troops and to the dash and gallantry displayed by all ranks under his command. The troops from Australia and New Zealand have again, as on previous occasions, justified the confidence which I have in their ability, and are daily proving- themselves an indispensable part of the forces under my command in Egypt." Sir Douglas [Taig, in his despatch, mentions among' the staff officers Generals Birdwood and Godley and the following New Zealandcra: —Major Lumpen, Lieutenant Stocker, also Captain Finch, of the NewZealand Veterinary Department, besides 109 other New Zealand officers and men.

Nine more New Zealanders have been awarded the military medal. Sergeant R. Simmers has been - awarded a bar to his military medal. Sergeant R. Simmers is the second son of Mr George Simmers, at one time science instructor at the Dunedin Training College, and subsequently head master of the Timaru Boys' High School. The Simmers family is well known in the Waikoikoi district. Sergeant Simmers is also a nephew of Mr J. Wallace, a member of the Ota go Education Board. GENERAL ITEMS. The Bank of England announces that the issue of Treasury bills has been suspended. Princo von Bulow, with numerous secretaries, has arrived in Switzerland. It is estimated that Germany can increase her army by about 50.000 men by releasing convicts. The order does not apply to the worst criminals.

The Dublin correspondent of The Times says the Irish Government is compelling the farmers to till a large portion of their holdings. Tho United States exports during 1916 to Britain were valued at £400.000.000, those to France at £300,000.000. to Russia £26.000,000. to Germany £200.000, and to Austria £20,000.

The Pope has- written to the Kaiser requesting the German High Command _to allow, under certain restrictions, the immediate restoration of Rheims Cathedral, as it is feared that the building will collapse. The Evening Standard states that the Government has taken over all supplies of maize in Great Britain. Tho Government has commandeered the Hotel Cecil for the use of the Air Ministry.

Mr SI. F. Edge, motorist, has been appointed supervisor of tin; production of agricultural machinery under the Food Controller.

Official: All unwrought copper has been commandeered excepting that used in existing contracts. A fire on December 28 burned two hangars at Tondern, completely destroying two large Zeppelins. Switzerland is negotiating a loan of 100,000,000 francs, of which ~30.000.000 will be devoted to the conversion of the previous loan.

It is reported that the betrothal of the Crown Prince of Bulgaria to the Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstcin, one of the wealthiest princesses in Germany, will be announced shortly. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent states that Swiss reports show that there is abnormal activity at the naval arsenals at Pola and Fiume, and many German officers have joined the Austrian warships. A well-known German minister (Pastor Pliillipp) has composed a New Year prayer of praise to the God of War. The hymn of praise to the God of Peace has not yet come, because only war can achieve the salvation of the German people. Tho northern portion of Dresden was on fire for three days. The fire spread to reserve stores of shells and cartridges. Explosions were constant, and several persons were killed. Panic orcvails.

The Rev. R. 11. Fulford, who was killed in Mesopotamia, would have gone to New Zealand at the end of the war to organise the Church of England Men's Society.

There were 180,000 enlistments m Canada last year. December enlistments were only 20 per cent, of last January's. Tho Canadian Board of Inquiry exonerated tho Canadian war medal service of Colonel Bruce's charges, in connection with which the Minister of Defence, Sir Sam Hughes, resigned. Su* T. Mackenzie entertained the staff of tho hospital ship Marama. A parliamentary and a departmental committee has decided to provide a small commemorative plaque to relatives of the fallen. The design is under discussion. Bombardier B. W. White (of the New Zealand Howitzer Battalion) has been awarded the French Military Medal for bravery and courage in leading an attack at Gallipoli on August 21, 1915.

The United States Federal Reserve Board estimated that the national debts of tho belligerents have increased during the war by 49,454,000.000d0i, of which amount the debts of the Allied countries have increased by 29,000,000,000d01. The latest German ruse to secure food is advertising extensively in Swiss papers that Swiss subjects in Germany are allowed to receive an 111 b parcel of food weekly, while German mistresses pay Swiss servants handsomely for this.

The serious illness_ of Lord Cromer has delayed the completion of the Dardanelles Commission's report on the initiation of the expedition. Mr Massingham, in the Nation, states that the findings of the Commission are not unanimous. There will be a. minority report by Mr Walter Roach. Tho Brit'sh recruiting officers aro busy enrolling thousands of recruits whose exemptions expired with the new year. These include a largo number of men who have been combed out of the munition works and others, mostly over 30 years of ago. Portuguese officers have arrived in Franco, including the Commandant. General Robert Bapfista. Chief of Staff of the Expeditionary Army, which General Taragnine commands. Aviators and medical men have also arrived. The general headquarters have been establish 'd at the Portuguese Legation.

Surprise has been caused in the United States by the Secretary of the Navy's statement that Great Britain has contracted to furnish larjre consignments of shells for the United F-fates navy. It i< announced that fcho British munition resources are far above war requirements. Private advices from Paris state that the British Government has renewed until 1910 leases of re-tain buildimrs and land occupied by it in France the leases of which exm'red at the end of December, 1916. In order to secure the auieker loadinar and unloading of vessels and ease the tonnage deficiency, the Cabinet and War Committee have authorised the dock authorities to increase the labour and transport workers' battalions to 10.000. in order to supplement the existing labour supply where it is deficient