GENERAL NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17657, 15 February 1916, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS

THE MISSION TO ITALY. ALLIES’ INCREASING STRENGTH. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) ROME, February 13. •The speeches at Signor Salandra'3 luncheon to the French mission emphasised the growing importance of co-ord-ination. SI. Briand (the French Premier) responding, said: “Tou may be assured that victory will be borne of a continuity of our common efforts. We daily are becoming more united, and in greater solidarity we are facing the enemy on one sole front. The Allies are determined to carry on mercilessly until the spirit of humanity is given free rein in the domains of liberty and justice.” The mission has started for the fro it to meet the King, CONFERENCE AT PARIS SHORTLY. ROME, February 13. Political and military delegates will shortly meet in Paris with a view to bringing about a more perfect unity of action. CENTRAL HIGH COUNCIL PROPOSES TO SECURE ABSOLUTE UNITY. LONDON, February 13. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent states that the principal object of M. Briand’s visit is the constitution of a high council of the Entente Powers in Paris. The council will consider questions of Entente policy, aided by necessary military advisers. England and Russia have already agreed to the scheme and Italy has now participated. When any matter is ready for discussion ten days’ notice will be given the respective governments. It is believed this will secure much quicker results tlian heretofore. Each of the four nations agrees when the absolute immunity of their respective fronts is secured to be ready to place at the disposal of the others all their remaining forces. The council, which is warmly approved by the entire Italian press, will also discuss questions of trade and industry. Representatives of the British Government are expected to visit Italy. ITALIAN WORKMEN POR PRANCE., TO HELP IN MUNITION MAKING. ROME, February 13. Received February 14, 5.25 p.m. As the outcome of the Fran co-Italian agreement, the Government has authorised -2000 skilled workmen to go to France to help in munition making. COMPREHENSIVE ALLIANCE ESTABLISHED. MILITARY AND ECONOMIC UNDERSTANDING. ROME, February 14. Received February 14, 11.3.7 p.m. A protocol shows that France and Italy have established a positive and durable alliance in the field, and In politics, economics, and commerce. VIENNA BRIGHT AND GAY. NO SHORTAGE OP POOD. GERMANS QUITE CONFIDENT. REGARD THE WAR AS NEARLY OVER. LONDON. February 14Received February 14, 10.50 p.m. Members of the Scottish Ambulance state that Vienna is as bright and gay as ever. Theatres and town life are as usual, and there is no indication of a shortage of food. The Austrian soldiery treated the party infinitely better than the Germans. The latter are tremendously confilent, and say that the war is practically finished, and the English beaten. They added: Tou cannot starve us. We get as much as we want from Asia. Our inanitions are better than yours, and your air service is footling. Austrian officers confess that Austria cannot carry on more than eight months through lack of men. LLOYD GEORGS TAKES OVER DISTILLERIES. POR TRANSFORMATION INTO MUNITION FACTORIES. LONDON, February 14. Received February 14, 10.50 p.m. Mr Lloyd George is taking over and transforming all distilleries into munition factories. The transfer does not include pot still distilleries. The distilleries will be compensated. It is understood that the quantity of spirits in bond represents two year*’ supply. BRITISH WAX VOTE. LONDON, February 14. Received February 14, 11.35 p-ra. The Dailv News says the Government will ask for a vote of at least £2M,000,000 to carry on over the end of the financial year. iph P. NEW ZEALAND FORCES. SEPARATE DIVISION CREATED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 14. The Defence Minister states that Cabinet has approved of a scheme for the creation of a New Zealand division in i connection with the reorganisation of the forces at the front. The New Zealanders in the past have belonged to a mixed New Zealand and Australian division. General Godley proposes now to form a third brigade out of the accumulated infantry reinforcements. This brigade, with two brigades of the original main body, will form a purely New Zealand division. The matter of reinforcements is under consideration but probably the present 'rate will be sufficient to cover the new brigade as well as the old ones, though some adjustment of the proportions may be necessary.