Late News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 40, 25 May 1917, Page 5

Late News.

THE HINDENBURG LINE. BRITISH SLOWLY GAINING GROUND. PRISONERS DUG OUT OF THE RUINS. LONDON, May 24. Correspondents at the British front state that we arc slowly increasing the ground won on the Hindenburg line around Bullecourt and extending our gains in tunnels under the enemy’s supp.rt lines, so threatening the retreat to the next sections of the German defences. Reinforcements are being heavily punished while moving across the open to tho left of Bullecourt. Many prisoners are being dug out of ►he ruins of the Hindenburg line near Fontaine. They describe as awful the tension of awaiting an attack when a bombardment has commenced. AN IMPRESSIVE SPEECH. M. RIBOT IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER. MILITARY DESPOTI&M MUST BE DESTtOYED. PARIS, May 24. M. Ribot's speech in the Chamber has created a deep impression, particularly passages insisting that the formula “No annexation and no indemnity” docs not apply to the restitution asked upon right and justice.

M. Ribot added: "There is no question of a war indemnity to be placed upon the vanquished as though it was a fine. The whole world shall judge our case. Tho nightmare has lasted too long. We must destroy military despotism. Let Russia take the offensive while the United States is getting ready to send her first divisions. If Russia docs her duty we have not much to fear.”

M. Ribot’s reference to Alsace-Lor-raine was received with tumultuous cheers. He continued: “We are not opposed to the expansion of the German people after the war. Very soon, when the Russian army is again fighting, Germany will demand peace in a straightforward manner. If not, we know how to impose peace.’’ THE RUSSIAN POLICY. “NO ANNEXATION, NO INDEMNITIES. ’ ’ WASHINGTON, May 24 The United States Government hopes shortly to issue a statement on the Russian policy, of which the principle is “No annexation, no punititive indemnities. ’ ’ The Government sympathises with M. Ribot’s attitude. COPING WITH SUBMARINES. MARCONI’S MISSION TO UNITED STATES. ITALY SINKS 13 WITHIN A WEEK. NEW YORK, May 24. Signor Marconi has arrived with the Italian mission. He intends to show the United States authorities plans for coping with submarines. Italy has sunk thirteen submarines within a week.

THE STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE. AMERICAN SOCIALISTS PROHIBITED. WASHINGTON, May 24. American Socialists have been prohibited from attending the Stockholm Conference. COMPULSORY SERVICE IN CANADA. OTTAWA, May 24. There is a rush to join the colours in anticipation of the passing of the Bill introducing compulsory service. GENERAL JOPFRE. PARIS, May 24. General Joffrc and M. Yiavanni have returned from their mission to the United States. THE ITALIAN WAR. SEVERE FIGHTING CONTINUES. LONDON, May 24. An Italian official message states.— There has been severe fighting in Travignolo Valley. The enemy penetrated our positions on Mounts Piccotto and Colbricon, but the whole were recaptured. A MAXIM INVENTION. MAKES TORPEDOES HARMLESS. NEW YORK, May 24. Mr Hudson Maxim announces an invention which, when placed round a ship, caused torpedoes to explode hanu-

Icssly. It can be applied cheaply to I the existing ships. |

[Hudson Maxim is an American inventor. He was first in the United States to make smokeless powder, and which was adopted by the Government in 1901. He sold to the Government his formula for '' Maximite, ’ ’ the first high explosive to be fired through heavy armour plate. He is also the inventor of the United States Service detonating fume for high explosive ar-mour-piercing projectiles.]

GERMANY’S SOUTH SEA COLONIES.

THEIR LOSS A SEVERE BLOW,

EASTERN TRADE CRIPPLED

AMSTERDAM, May 24,

Dr. Inner, a well-known Colonial authority, in an article to tho press, asks for the German Government's intention regarding the colonies in the South Seas, and declares that there must be no yielding of colonics in return for concessions in Europe. German diplomacy may be relied upon to secure a good position in Europe, but not at the expense of the South Sea Colonies, the loss of which is a severe blow. He admits that there is not much hope for Germany to get back her" possessions. Baron von Rctchenburg, another col onial expert, thinks the South Sea possessions may be exchanged for British East Africa and Uganda if Britain desires.

Admiral von Galow declares that unless she gets back her South Sea possessions, Germany’s entire trade in the Far East will be crippled. The people must insist on Germany getting New Caledonia and French Oceana. Tho German Empire wants naval bases, and must establish a world luute for German ships and make her independent of England, America, and Japan. GERMAN NAVAL ACTIVITY. SQUADRON OF WARSHIPS IN THE BALTIC. STOCKHOLM, May 24. The "Tagblad” states that there is increasing German naval activity in the Baltic. Many destroyers, flotillas, and a squadron of 40 warships wore sighted proceeding north. THE DEFEATED SERVIANS.

ZURICH, May 24,

Not a single Servian remains in Nish. Those who failed-to escape were either imprisoned or massacred.