CONDENSED CABLE NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1540, 20 January 1919, Page 8

CONDENSED CABLE NEWS.

ITEMS FROM MANY QUARTERS. General March states that the American forces in France and Germany have been reduced to the minimum consistent with national obligations. An increase in home-bound troops is foreshadowed. The discharges already ordered in America and abroad exceed one million. The people of Vienna gave a friendly reception to the detachments of the Warwickshire Regiment, who escorted the food supplies sent for the relief of children and women. Major Bethell, chief of the British Mission, in addressing the burgomaster, said the provisions were sent as a free gift, and as a mark of appreciation of the humane treatment British war prisoners received in Austria, which was iu marked contrast with what they had undergone elsewhere. The burgomaster replied, thanking Major Bethell, and promised to distribute the foodstuffs to the poorer classes according to the senders' intentions. The demobilisation of the Australians and New Zealanders is proceeding with the utmost rapidity. It is governed by the steamers available.

In view of the prevalent misconceptions regarding the British army of occupation, the newspapers publish the views of a- high authority. He says it is more important to secure the fruits of victory than to accelerate the demobilisation. A good scheme would be to create a specialised army of occupation, highly trained and disciplined, choosing primarily those having a record of service. Sir Eric Geddes states that the demobilisation must be such as to leave a homogeneous army ready for any emergency. The army of occupation must be equal to all contingencies. There was no prospect of an early reduction of the army to its pre-war dimensions. The army of occupation would not be a volunteer army, but one selected under the existing Conscription Acts. The French Government's Note has been received in Vienna. It declines the German armistice proposal regarding the settlement of territorial differences between Czechoslovakia and Austria by arbitration, and further declares that the line of demarcation I fixed by General d'Esperey must reImain until settled by the Peace Conj fereuce. Austria accepts the decsion. Hiudenburg has been appointed to conduct the defence of the Eastern frontier of Germanv.

The Cape section of the Nationalist Conference resolved by a great majority "that Dntch-speaking South Africans will not be satisfied until the South African Union's complete independence from the Empire is attained," also, "that the existence of the Union is no obstacle to the restoration of the rights of the old Republics." The Cape and Natal Congresses each selected two representatives to proceed to Europe. Negotiations with Polish representatives at Paris resulted in an agreement by which, with the common consent of the various parties in Poland, M. Paderewski becomes Premier. General Pilsudski remains at the head of the State.

Thirty people were killed and 50 injured at Boston by the explosion of a tank containing molasses. The London "Daily Express" states that another class of mystery warship was the M class, consisting of submarines carrying a 12in gun. A Paris message saya that the National Tourist Oflice is arranging for motor tours to Rheims, Arras, and Verdun during the spring.

At San Francisco 4.". I.W.W. and anti-war agitators were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from one to ten rears; Sabotage plots wore disclosed.

The Kirkcudbrightshire has arrive!

at London docks from Australia, via New York. She is the first sailing ship to arrive in the Thames since sailers were permitted to traverse the danger zone. ■ ■

The pseudo Count Bouyon, a friend of Rodin, has been arrested at Paris on a charge of fraud. He obtained a genuine piece of Rodin's art, and induced an Italian sculptor to make copies, which he sold as originals, bearing Rodin's name. The Swiss Government is dealing drastically with German and Russian Bolshevik agents. Many are under surveillance, and a number of arrests have been made. A special train is to convey undesirables to the frontier. Mr J. B. Joel's theatrical activities are creating widespread interest in London. It is understood that he is behind Mr Alfred Butt, who has made an offer for the Drury Lane Theatre. Mr Joel already has a greater or smaller interest in six West End theatres, and recently provided the money for the purchase of a seventh, with a view to rebuilding, also to erect an entirely new theatre. It is believed that the last two ventures will involve an outlay of £2,000,000. It seems certain that he can acquire Drury Lane if he cares, as already he is one of the largest shareholders. It is estimated that Mr Joel'S investments in London theatres aggregate about £5,000,000, and the properties are constantly appreciating with the current great theatrical boom. Mr Joel recently acquired a large holding in a leading catering firm, probably with a view to controlling the Criterion Restaurant, the leading theatregoers' resort. The Ministry of Reconstruction publishes the report of the Committee on Financial Risks, which was appointed owing to manufacturers and traders fearing that losses due to a fall in the prices of raw material bought at wartime prices might hinder full-scale production. The committee recommends, alternatively, a reduction of the excess profits duty of Ga per cent for .1918, or deferring payment of part that duty for five years. Mr Keith Murdoch says that Mr W. M. Hughes is endeavouring to sell Australian wheat to the inter-Allied Committee charged with the duty of feeding Europe. An authoritative estimate of the world's exportable wheat, after local needs have been supplied, exclusive of the next American harvest, is 23,000,000 to 28,000,000 tons, or, including the American harvest, 33,000,000 to 38,000,000 tons. This is above requirements if the American and German yields aro normal, but they nfe expected to be below the average. A Labour and Socialist Conference opens at Berne on January 21, which German delegates will attend. Simultaneously an international trades union congress assembles at Berne, and both conferences will keep in touch with each other. Mr Arthur Honderson, who has arrived at Paris,., will attend both. He expects to devise a means to submit the findings to the Peace Conference. It is un crstood he is negotiating with the Peace delegates to that end. Mr Henderson hopes to be of service in helping to solve the Russian problem. American Labour has not yet decided to participate.

Fifteen hundred Canadian soldiers reported missing, presumably dead, have been discovered alive in Germany since the signing of the armistice. Many have been wissipg since , the second battle of Ypres. They have been kept in German prisons, and not allowed to communicate with their friends. In a number of cases the wives of the men have remarried. It is anticipated that legislation will be introduced, to settle the status of these connubial tangles.