INTERESTING ITEMS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17077, 3 September 1917, Page 3

INTERESTING ITEMS.

COPENHAGEN, August 31. Germany has launched a number of submarines 340 feet long of 1500 tons, which will carry crews,of 50, and also 40 torpedoes, many shells, and mines to be used in ininelayoig in the Atlantic near the British coast. 1 LONDON,(August 31. Rear-Admiral Tudor' says that the tanks were really invented and tested by Admiralty officers. The British war efforts had now reached a condition of balance, where the war needs of the entire nation are met harmoniously.

OTTAWA, August 31. Mr Connolly, Agent-General for Westralia, was entertained at the Caradia'n Club, Vancouver. He declared that the referendum was not the best way to decide any bitterlycontested issue, such as conscription, in consequence of tt.» liability of misrepresentation.

OTTAWA, August 31. A general strike called by the anticonscnptionists' organisation as a protest against the passage of the Military Service Bill, ended in a fiasco. Only a hundred attended the demonstration.

PARIS, August 31. llie Petit Journal alleges that the Germans are starving the French population in the occupied territory, ac the latter have had no meat t.v wine for three years, and there have {een many deaths, esepecially amongst the aged. It is estimated that a quarter, of the population had perished at the end of

HELSINCFORS, August SI. The Finnish Deputies respected the decree closing the Diet. A number of Socialist members met privately. There are indications that normal relations with the Provisional Government will be resumed. BERNE, August 31. A one-day general strike has been proclaimed throughout Switzerland

as a protest against the Government's food policy. A general scarcity is feared.

NEW YORK, August 31. Roussos, the new Greek Minister, who has arrived here, says that Greece's full military strength will be ready for the field in three months.

BERNE, August 31. The Austrian Budget *or 1916-17 shows a deficit of 3,344 million crowns, compared with 49 million crowns in 1915-16. The two heaviest it«ins of expenditure are 1761 millions, interest on war loans, and 1650 millions Tor support of soldiers' families. The ,pecial direct war expenditures are not Included in the Budget.