THE WAR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11476, 2 March 1918, Page 8

THE WAR.

Second Edition

JAPAN GETTING BEADY. ARSMEIKG MOBILISED. *“ 1 CHINA CO-OPERATING. i v- ' 4 . London, Feb. 28. Tlifi Morning Post’s Shanghai correspondent telegraphs that the Chinese press states that Japan Ims decided to mobilise tor operations In Siberia, China’ is co-operating, and is sending four divisions.

THE FORCE AVAILABLE. [A DECISIVE MOVE EXPECTED. Reuter. Washington, Feb. 28. If her action is sanctioned, Japan can laud 200 000, troops in Siberia •within two weeks, to protect the Allies’ interests, and war supplies. Shortly atferwards half a million .more men will bo available. As the result ot the negotiations now proceeding between the Governments concerned, a decisive move at Vladivostok is expected. ANOTHER WAR MEASURE. INDUSTRIAL MOBILISATION. Tokio, Feb. 38. The Government is considering a .scheme for industrial mobilisation. The Japanese Ambassador has his departure from Retrograd,. as it is believed the Russian Government has made a new proposal., —■ WILL OUR FAITH BE MISPLACED? fruaii'wwMUWMi* JSg JAPAN;-SBLF-INTERESTD ONLY? Loudon Feb. 28. The Manchester Guardian deprecates an excessive reliance on Japanese aia and tho exaggerated estimates of Germany’s capacity for eastward aggression. It suggests that if Japan takes Vladivostok. Harbin, and Asiastic Russia it will be through self-interest.

SOMETHING IN THE WIND. , SOME SIGNIFICANT VISITS. London, Fob. 28. 1 Special significance is attached to the fact that the Japanese Ambassador paid several visits to the Foreign Ofiiee and had a conference with the Right Hon. _A. J. Balfour to-night. I FINNISH GOVERNMENT APPEALS TO THE KAISER. Copenhagen. March 1. The Finnish Government has written to the Kaiser asking him, as the mightiest protector of Germanic culture and evangelic faith, if he.will obtain security for the Finnish people who are striving for foil liberty and peaceful development, by demanding at Brest Intovsk that Russian troops be with--drawn from Finland, and that steps be taken to see the measures carried into eiTect at once. The White Guards commenced a determined offensive on Tammerf'ors on Tuesday.

The Frankfurter Zeitung says the terms the Central Powers are demanding from Roumania ii> elude the cession of the Carpathian Passes to Hungary and also economic concessions. JAPAN'S POSITION. ENGLISH AND FRENOH^VIEWS. Receivcd’March 2,'noon, London, March 1. It is generally believed that Jap in intends to take energetic measures if peace is concluded* at Brest Litovsk. She is determined to prevent the Germans seizing the copper and platinum mines in the Urals and will also save vast munition stores at Viadivostock. It is understood that she has already approached America. Japan is even willing to co-operate with American troops if the Allies consider it advisable. The Daily Chronicle’s diplomatic correspondent states that Japan’s active intervention in the war is .strongly favoured by France, particularly by M. Clemenceau and M. Pichou. Public opinion in England is awaiting the Government’s definite lend. __Y

It is well known that General Foch in November foresaw the possibilities and the matter was discussed at the Allied War Council at Paris.

It is now obvious that Jap?n cannot remain u spectator of events which are placing Russia under ■complete subjection to Germany «4ud imperilling Japan’s existence as an Empire. THE WEST FRONT. {Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.} London, March 1. A Belgian communique states: Following a bombardment the enemy's coup do main north of Dixmude failed. »A number of rafts employed wore sdestroycd, also a pontoon bridge which the enemy was building across the Yser. The heavy artillorying in the region of Nieuport, Pervyse and Dixmude continues. KAISER CONVOKES COU NCIL OF REIGNING FAMILIES, Washington, March 1. Official advices state that the Kaiser has convoked an important Council of reigning families in Germany. No'details are available.

DISORDER IN IRELAND. A SCENE IN COURT. DEFIANT YOUTHS. Reuter. London, March 1. Eight youths, charged at Sligo Courthouse with participation in an unlawful assembly, refused to remove their hats, began smoking and sang Irish freedom songs. The Magistrate demanded an apology, but one said they did not regard any representative of the British Constitution.

The Magistrate imposed a sentence of seven days’ imprisonment for contempt of court. The prisoners thereupon threw themselves on tiro floor. When the police, attempted to remove them the crowd in court became threatening, and a detach merit of military was .summoned and the prisoners carried out to a lorry and removed to gaol amidst a scene of great excitement.