GENERAL ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1915, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS.

PARS FROM THE TIMES. THE GRAND FLEET READY. Times and Sydney Smi Services, Received Nov. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Nor. 1

The Times' naval correspondent, describing a visit to the Grand Fleet, says it is in instant readiness. It is positively true that there is no part of the North Sea but what is constantly swept, and no German vessel of any size or importance has been outside the minefields since January 24.

MORE HARMS WORTH. The Daily Mail says thai General •Joii"re cut red tape, and came to London because he wanted to know exactly our intentions in Serbia. He performed a difficult task in extracting a definite statement from Cabinet, and his very plain remarks came as p. shock to Downing Street, but proved cm invaluable tonic.

THE BALKANS POLICY. The Times, in a leader on Goucivil Joii're's visit, says it gives promise of closer co-ordination between the AngloFrench armies. We have arrived at a definite understanding about the Balkans. The Anglo-French Governments are in full accordance on the main principles of a joint policy and concerted measures, and of the necessity for giving rapid and direct lie)]) to Serbia.

VENETIAN TREASURES. A correspondent at Venice says tint the art treasures are elaborately safeguarded from air raids. Famous churches ore covered with sandbags and masonry, and the Palace of the Doges resembles a fortress. One hotel is open, but the others have been turned into hospitals.

MR. KUNCIMAN IN AMERICA. Mr. Runciman, interviewed at New York, emphatically denied the criticisms or a section of the American press that England is nearly bankrupt, and that labor was adverse to the war. He said it was hard to find statements further from the truth. There were the fewest possible labor troubles now than for twenty years past, and the Laborites were co-operating whole-heartedly. London was still the free gold market of the world, and the Empire was prepared to meet all liabilities on a free gold basis. Oermany was refusing to pay notes in gold, and was otherwise at it financial standstill, aborbing her national wealth by war loans.