ENDING UP THE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 18

ENDING UP THE WAR.

RETURNING NEW ZEALANDERS. (By Cable.) A message from Newport News states that the Remuera has arrived en route for Panama Canal, with 1000 New Zealanders and 300 English wives aboard. The Rimutaka has sailed for New Zealand with 800 troops. ANZAC MARCH ON ANZAC DAY. Arrangements are in progress ior 12,000. dominion troops to march through London at the end of the month. The march of the Australian troops through London on Anzac Day has been extended to include New Zealanders, South Africans, Canadians, and New Foundlanders. General Birdwood will lead the Australians. LUDENDORFF'S DISCLOSURES. General Ludendorff's disclosures have begun to appear in serial form-. He admits that the hope of a military victory disappeared after the defeat on August 8. Ludendorff urged refusal of the abandonment of the submarines and the continuance of the greatest land efforts in order to secure the best possible armistice. He offered his resignation on October 26, when he found that the Government was willing for peace at any price. THE BRITISH NAVY. The Admiralty reports that Lord Jellicoe and Sir D. Beatty have been promoted to Admirals of the Fleet in recognition of their distinguished services in the war. Lord Jellicoe will hoist his flag as an Admiral of the Fleet in his Majesty's ship' New Zealand, while Sir D. Beatty will hoist his in the Queen Elizabeth, the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet. The Grand Fleet will cease to exist as such? on the 7th of April, and Admiral Beatty will haul down his flag accordingly. As a result of this change Admiral Madden has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Home and Atlantio fleets. Admiral Leveston will be Vice-admiral commanding the Second Battle Squadron of the Atlantic fleet, Admiral Fremantle commanding the First Battle Squadron of the Atlantic fleet, Admiral Oliver the Home fleet, Admiral Keyes the Battle Cruiser Squadron of the Atlantic. Rear-admiral Edmund Grant will be the first naval member of the Commonwealth Naval Board, and Captain Dumarosq commodore commanding the Australian fleet. Admiral of the Fleet is the naval rank that corresponds with that of Field-marshal in the army, as admiral is < equal in status to general. There were previously only three admirals of the fleet in Britain—Sir William. H. Hay, Sir Hedworth Meux, and Sir George A. Callaghan.

RECONSTITUTING THE BRITSH ARMY.

A conference was held at Westminster between Mr Churchill and representatives of the Territorial Forces' Association. Mr Churchill (presiding) outlined a scheme to reconstitute the forces as an essential' and vital part of the defensive system by re-creating the pre-war Territorial units, subject to such modifications as the progress of modern weapons -may render necessary. Territorial Force officers should /be eligible to command its* brigades and fill positions on the divisional brigade staffs. Mr Churchill emphasised that the war record should constitute 80 per cent, of the qualifications of every man chosen to command a Territorial unit. Mr Churchill hinted at the utilisation of the present Volunteer Force for the purpose of reconstructing the pre-war National Reserve, and ■ concluded by paying a warm tribute to the territorials for acquitting themselves in a manner that had won the whole-hearted acceptance of their regular comrades and of the finest soldiers who came to our assistance from dominions overseas.

STATE . OBLIGATIONS RECOGNISED. The Press Bureau states that the Pensions Ministry announces that the Government has now recognised its obligation to assist from th 4 State funds demobilised and discharged officers and men who joined the forces after the outbreak of war in order that they may be enabled to restart in business. The assistance will be either, given in ' periodical payments to meet current obligations like rent, insurance premiums, school fees, and mortgage obligations, or in a lump sum for the purchase of stock-in-trade, shop fittings, etc.

The officers and men of British nationality ordinarily domiciled overseas but serving, in the United Kingdom forces are eligible for the Home Government's facilities for higher education at universities, or in .agriculture, offices, and works. A limited number ordinarily domiciled in the United Kingdom will be assisted in their courses in the dominions overseas.

The Board of Education's portion of the scheme enables qualified oversea ex-service officers and men to pursue a course of a university standard in the United Kingdom, while others ordinarily domiciled in the United Kingdom will be assisted in their studies in oversea universities or in exceptional cases in foreign universities. THE GERMAN SUBMARINES. One hundred and fifty-seven German submarines have b.een delivered, and only one remains undelivered. Official: France has received 27 German submarines from Britain. HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. New Zealand awards :—Lieutenantcolonel R. Callon. (Auckland Regiment), D. 5.0.; Captains W. W. Chapman (Second Otagos), T>. G. Coody (Cyclists), Lieu-

tenant L. H. Browne (Cyclists), P. M'lntosh (Second Otagos), D. G. M'Millan (Sixth Artillery), F. H. Minrom (Machine Gun Section), W. R. Olsen (Second Otagos), C. 0. Southey (Cyclists), E. G. SteAvart (Otago Mounteds), Military Crosses.

The following New Zealanders have been awarded Overseas Soldier and Sailor Scholarships:—Gunner J. F. Peake (Artillery), science, and Corporal EL C Eossiter (Infantry), metallurgy, both at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, Privates H. C. M'Carthy, engineering, at Cambridge University; Private A, B. Taylor, arts, at Oxford; Private John Watson, mining, at Edinburgh (all the latter are members of the Medical Corps);' Sergeant R. M'lntyre (Otago Mounted Rifles)* classics, at Cambridge; Private F. N. Mills (Infantry), commerce, at the City of London College. . MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. The Press Bureau states that the Army Council, the Admiralty, and the Air Coun-, cil are issuing certificates to all the Dersonnel belonging to the Home, Indian, colonial, dominion, and Egyptian forceß mentioned in despatches, and to members of the British Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., and other recognised organisations similarly mentioned. GENERAL ITEMS. Sir Douglas Haig has arrived, and will take over the command of the Home army. The Press Bureau reports that unless urgency arises th® official Press Bureau will close on the 30th mst. The censorship and all other functions will thereafter cease, I It is reported from Agram (Croatia) that the Kara-Georgevitch dvnasty has been deposed, and a republic has been proclaimed at Belgrade. ' The Serbian Legation in London denies the reported establishment of a republic at Belgrade. In reference to complaints regarding the disorderly conduct of Australians at Capetown, the chairman of the Troops' Reception Committee has written to Senator Pearce that the committee entertained 350,000 exceedingly well-behaved men, of whom not 25 men were under the influence of liauor.' The South Africans had formed many friendships with the officers and men"