Late News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 34, 4 May 1917, Page 5

Late News.

THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY.

reorganisation of staff and methods. LONDON, May 2. Newspapers state that as the result of Mr Lloyd George’s enquiries an important reorganisation of the Admiralty Staff and its methods will shortly ho effected to counter the submarines. The changes will chiefly affect the Inventions Board and Departments. Commenting on the stories of the impending Admiralty changes and rumours of Sir Edward Carson’s resignation, the “Times” says: “It may be well to authoritatively state that no difference has arisen between Sir Edward Carson and his Admiralty colleagues. If he leaves the Admiralty, which is likely enough, it is because he would gladly resign at any moment if he thought it would strengthen the Government’s hands or facilitate the work of his naval colleagues. Resolutions adopted by the Imperial Conference will shortly be published. It is understood that they mark a striking advance in the development of the Imperial system, and declare for a new and far-reaching Imperial economic policy, aiming at the ideal of a self-supporting Empire. The resolutions include conservation of the natural resources of the Empire and independence of foreign supplies of food and raw material, and also of foreign shipping.

NATIONAL RATIONING SCHEME IMPENDING. LONDON, May 2. Captain Bathurst (Secretary to Food Controller) announced in the House of Commons that a national rationing scheme was impending.

air activity.

LONDON, May 2. April was easily a record month in air activity. Statistics compiled from communiques state that 714 machines were brought down on the Western front—--3(30 German, 147 British, and 301 French. , Of the German victims the Bntisn brought down 269, all excepting six by airmen. The previous highest totals were. 165 last July, 189 in August, and 322 in September.

GERMANY'S WAR AIMS.

PEACE AND PROTECTION DEMANDED. NEW YORK, May 2. The “Times” correspondent at Hague states that parliamentary circles expect the German Chancellor's speech to-day (in Reichstag) to deal with the military situation and Germany's war aims. The “Taggohlatt” says that Germany demands a peace which will protect her economic interest abroad, whether at Antwerp, Yokohama, or Sydney.

ZEPPELIN RAIDER

CAPTURES NORWEGIAN BARQUE. AMSTERDAM, May 2. The crew of a trawler which arrived, at Yniedon state that they saw a Zeppelin capture the Norwegian barque Royal, 680 tons. The airship desoend«d to the water and lowered a boat and a prize crew took the vessel in the direction of Germany.

OVER 40,000 PRISONERS.

ANGLO-FRENCH CAPTURES. PARIS, May 2. Marcel Lutin, writing to the “Figaro” states that between the 16th and 30th April the English and French captured 40,603 prisoners, 437 heavy guns, 346 trench mortars, and 882 machine guns.

GERMAN POWER DWINDLING.

24 DIVISIONS OUT OF ACTION. PARIS, May 2. The “Petit Parisieii states that 24 enemy divisions launched on the British front had to he relieved from further participation. The enemy effectives have melted away amazingly. Many survivors deserted, and some went mad.

TWO YEARS’ SUPPLIES.

GERMANY’S RESOURCES. WASHINGTON, May 2. According to the report of Mr Haover (American Commissioner for Relief of Belgium), Germany had still two years’ supplies, plenty of coal and iron, and 18 milion cattle with which to-feed her soldiers. The United States would bo humiliated if she tried to light only by the medium of loans to the Allies. Emissaries of the Allies meant that if Germany will give up her Eastern ambitions and abandon the Bcrliu-Bagdad railway idea, the Allies may consider overtures for peace. It is unlikely that Germany will make any such offer.

LONG WAR PROBABLE.

AN AMERICAN OPINION. WASHINGTON, May 2. Addressing representatives of the State Council of Defence, Mr F. K.

Lang (Secretary of the Interior) warned tho Governors that the war was likely to last long, and might finally be fought across the Atlantic, unless the United States was adequately and early prepared. Plans were necessary for the struggle lasting more than one year.

SUBMARINING SITUATION.

WARNING TO UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON, May 2. Mr Lansing.(Secretary of State) has warned the United States that tho submarine situation is undoubtedly serious.

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS.

REVIEWED BY THE KING. LONDON, May 2. The King, accompanied by Generals Sir A. J. Godley and Sir lan Hamilton, reviewed the Now Zealand reinforcement units on Salisbury Plain. The weather was warm and lino. After the march past, the King presented one Distinguished Conduct Medal and eight Military Medals, congratulating the recipients. Afterwards Mr and Mrs Massey, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, Sir T. Mackenzie and a number of Now Zealand ladies and officers were presented to the King. The King congratulated the massed troops on their tine appearance. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward addressed the troops, and the party afterwards visited tho New Zealand soldiers’ club at Salisbury.