CABLE BREVITIES.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7919, 16 August 1917, Page 1

CABLE BREVITIES.

Russian Morale. Mr Wilton states that more optimistic reports are being received from the Russian armies. Their morale is improving, and there is a cessation of the wholesale retreat. He admits that the fighting efficiency of the armies is still an uncertain quantity, but says that optimism is spreading. New Minister. The Press Bureau states that Mr G. N. Barnes has been appointed to the War Cabinet. Mackensen’s Blow. M. Marcel Hutin states that 14 new German, 9 Austro-Hungarian, and 4 Turco-Bulgarian divisions have reinforced Marshal von Mackensen, who intends an overwhelming battering ram blow. Turks Panicky. The “Idea Nazionale” states that there was a lively panic in Constantinople following reports that the British fleet, supported by land forces and powerful air squadrons, was about to resume operations to force the passage of the Dardanelles. Want the Cash. Millions of Dutch eggs are delayed on the frontier, exporters refusing to despatch them to, Germany in absence of payment in gold. Pope and Peace. The Pope has renewed peace proposals. China Declares War. China has finally decided to declare war against Germany and Austria simultaneously. Submarine Toll. In the House of Commons Mr Roberts stated that 3828 passengers and 5920 officers and seamen had lost their lives in British merchant vessels owing to enemy action since the beginning of the war. Destroyer Lost. The Admiralty reports that a British destroyer was mined and sunk in the North Sea. The captain and two officers and 43 men were saved. Aeroplanes Interned. The third German aeroplane has landed in Holland in a week. The crews have been interned.

Submarine Damaged. Two German torpedo boats towed in a large submarine to Zeebruggc. The submarine was rammed in the North Sea and severely damaged.