GENERAL ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1916, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS.

NOTES FROM THE TUV.-S. GERMANY AND AMERICA. (Times and Sydney Sun Services). Amsterdam, February 4. Messages from Berlin show 'a marked change in the feeling towards America. Officials and the public look earnestly for American friendship. It is assumed that Colonel House will be returning to President Wilson 1 with a full settlement of the Lusitania negotiations. GERMAN TAXATION. " ' London, February 4. In Germany four million iron stove doors are replacing brass ones. Every door handle in Germany has been inventoried. The Tages Zeitung forecasts heavy taxation on German bachelors, pointing out that they can afford to pay twice the taxation that married men can and four times that of fathers of families. CAMPAIGN IN AFRICA. London, February 4. Mr. Dobell, telegraphing from West Africa on February 1, says that Colonel Haywood's column occupied Daing on January 25 with slight loss and, after defeating the enemy in another engagement two days later, occupied Nyan. The column was in touch with French troops in Ambam. Another British column, under Colonel Coles, occupied Lolodorf on the 28th. Large enemy convoys continue to pass into Muni, Spanish guinea. General' Smith-Dorrien reports that ,thc enemy abandoned a small post at Kasigan, which was occupied on December 0.

ENCOURAGING DESTRUCTION OF ZEPPELINS. London, Feb. 4. Mr. Co wen, proprietor of the Newcastle Chronicle, offers £IOOO to the crew of the first aircraft to bring down a Zeppelin in Britain or her territorial waters. GENERAL AYLMEE'S POSITION. Delhi, Feb. 4. Official: General Aylmer's force is in a strong position on the Tigris. The recent floods render an advance impracticable, MUNITIONS FACTORIES London, Feb. 4. Mr. Lloyd George declared that there were 298 additional controlled establishments, making a total of 2720. RUSSIAN MINISTRY. London, Feb. 4. The Times' correspondent at Petro«rad says that there is satisfaction at M. Geremykin's retirement, thus removing th,e obstacles to a speedy convocation of the Duma, chastened by the fact that 11. Stunner's appointment is a Conservative triumph, as lie holds identical viewe with M. Goremykin, whose intimate friend he' is. Both are unprogre9sive. PANAMA CANAL. London, Feb. 4. Lloyds-' announces that the Panama Canal will be clesed for another two months.