The Times from London, Greater London, England • Page 21

mu ia tttpctiav o. tatT swBfrW srwsSSS THE TROUBLES AUSTRALIA. OF VIOLENT ATTACKS MR. HUGHES. ON TOKCES IN PARLIAMENT.

rBOit OUB OWN COttRESrOXDEST.) SYDNEY, Nov. 14. I have only pot an axe, and you cannot cut round holo with an axe, tho Primo Minister, Vr remarked wlicn discussing the jitttation on the cvo of Referendum Day. Ho was confident that the appeal to the electors would return a reasonable majority in favour of Constfiptiotu deprecated tho idea tliat thcro would tc any permanent breach in tlio caucus. ho believed that in the future ho trould, dospito tho pressing complexities of the moment, remain tlie Labour Ituim Minister Atttralia.

Kwn aftcx tho anti conscriptionists Jad won 1 tenaciously clung to tho hope that Jje might bo able to maintain tho solidarity of his party, or three weeks ho earned on with four Ministers fdiort and of tho colleagues trho remained with him two vcro undisgtiiscdjy tiislovaL is surprising that the rrimo Minister should liavo so long dung to tho hopo that reconciliation with tho malcontents of his party Was possible. Tho small band of extremists who had captured trie executive marninery or uio Labour movement had detennincd Uhat they wouKi'be absoluto masters of tlio machine. With this object thcro were almost daily purg jngs by tho expulsion of State and Federal Labour members who had associated themselves with the conscription campaign. This process of proscription was brought to a climax by tho formal expulsion of the Prime Minister from the Labour caucus, of which he was chairman. Before tho Referendum, when ho "was hoping for the best but still fearing tho worst, the Primo Minister reckoned that 23 Labour members would remain loyal to him no matter what hap tjened.

When after the discussion in the caucus a discussion more vituperative than instructive ho catherrd up his papers, rose from the table, and, without putting the motion for his expulsion, left tho room, inviting his loyal supporters to follow him, exactly that number of members' filed out behnd him. The Hughes Farty walked across to the other side of Federal Parliament House to the Senate Club Koom and formally constituted iteelf a new party. Mean' while tho other io members oi the caucus remained in the room to decide their future course of action. The Stbike Wejlpox. When the promoters of the anti conscrin tionist fight were first plotting how thev could best defeat the Referendum, it was agreed that a general strike would most assist them to block Mr.

Hughes's proposal. The great body of tcionists, however, would not consent to the unpatriotic course, but the moment the Refe. rendum was taken the Newcastle miners came out, and for a fortnight the whole trade of the Commonwealth has been suffering from a creeping paralysis which threatens to lead to the greaies. mausinat convulsion tnat Australia has ever known, uvea to riots and civil commo tion. Though hundred reasons be advanced for the strike it cannot bo dissociated from the general political situation.

It has unmistakably been engineered for political purposes, and has been used as weapon with which to attempt tho onnJhilation of the Prime Minister. In the chaotic condition of his Cabinet, Mr. Hughes did not take any step to exercise Federal powers to stop Lihe strike. He possibly thought that the arrogance and wantonness of the strike leaders and fctrife fomentera would induce the ordinarily level headed Labour member to think better of the suggested destruction of the unity of the Labour Party. If so, ho was wrong in liis psychology.

The strike only hardened the hearts of the malcontents and irreconcilables. courses were open to tho Prime Minister. He could have resigned. He could have patched up peace with those Labour members who had been denouncing him as a traitor and an apostate he could have coalesced with the Liberal Opposition and have formed a truly National Government he could have formed a new Centre Party and distributed the vacant portfolios amongst those Labour members who remained loyal to him in the crisis. His intentions up to the last moment remained wropt in raystry." No political leader can keep, his own counsel better than 3Ir.

Hughes. He is fcisgularly secretive and strangely suspicious of confidences imparted to other men but there were indications that if he failed to placate the malcontents he intended to take the fourth line of action and form a new party, A JNeiv Party. There would have been no difficulty in i establishing relations with; the Liberal Opposition. Confidential negotiations hd been conducted with the, principal member of that party for several weeks, and especially os to tho feasibility of prolonging tho life of' the present The Liberals agreed to this suggestion and indicated without committing themselves that they were prepared to entertain any overtures having tor their objective the formation of a National Government. The Rune Minister was therefore well aware of evey facet oi the situation, and he deflnitolv i chose to rest his fortunes upon a new Centre, 'Party.

When the caucus hud curtly dismissed him end he had 'with kis friends ia the sJenate Club Room, ho departed for Government House to interview the Governor General, Sir R. C. Munro Ferguson. in his resignation and subsequently fc fo the Governor General to entrust him with a new commission. Tho Govcrnor Gcncraf complied.

Thereupon Mr. Hughes returned to the Federal Oftices, promptly selected new Colleagues, and escorted them to Government where they were sworn in. Then, invested yith the fullest authority, ho convened a mect ihgof the ederal Executive and issued a regulation under tlio War Precautions Act calling a compulsory conference of mine owners and employees concerned in the great coal strike, tbu launching liis new administration with a hokl executive act. cannot be said that tho Liberal are wholly JMeaswi with the turn which events have taken, i'liey constitute tho largest party in tho House ol nepresehtatives. They expected to have LATE WAR NEWS.

VITAL APPEAL ISSUES OF WAR, THE TO TOE CHRISTIANS OF AMERICA. (mOM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) NFAV YORK, Jan. 1. An appeal to tho Christians of America jigainst premature peace has been issued by a group of leading clergymen, distinguished educationalist, and other prominent laymen. Among the signatories are Mr.

W. A. Sunday, America most famous Evangelist, the Rev Lyman Abbott, the Rev. W. T.

Manning, of Trinity. Church, New ork. tho Rev. Newell Dwight Hilb's, Brooklyn's best known clergy man, JJwhop iJiwrcnce, oi 'VlassachufsOtts. RifJiop Anderson, of Chicago, President Hiblxsn, of i'nnceton Universitv, and Mr.

C. J. Rona parte, ex Attorney General ot the United States. Tlie appeal tays We rwed to be rrmindl that peace is th triumph of rurhteotRUois not tho nicro slKMUJiinc of thf Bwonl. To dktnour for the ending of the present i il nd honour as not to iteek peace but to sow tUMster.

liocuc it is oak to lose bight of these ojwential principles we view with wme concern the organized and deliberate effort now being made to stampede Climtun sentiment no to cmate a public sentiment blindly favourable to stopping hostilities without an adequate consideration of the issues which the war Involve. We are Chnstiaos, aAl as snch deem that truth and righteousneHS are to be maintained inviolate, even at the sacrifice of physical life. We are citizens of the United ttee, and as. mich conscioat of the solemn responsibilities of our Christian cititenship. We aoeordinply venture to direct the attention oi our fellow ChrntUns to a few vital issues which are making tbeir mute appeal lor unal decision.

There follows the enumeration of some of Ger many's doings ravaged Belgium, massacres of the Armenians, the desolation of Serbia and Poland, the sinking of tlie Lusitania, the starva tion, of Jews and Syrians in the Holy Land, tho attempt to array Moslems against Christians, tho intimidation of small nations, and the violation of international agreements. In' presence of these pending and unsettled issues (adds the statement) we feel impelled to warn our brethren against those who cry "Peace, peace when there is no poace." The just God who with held not His own Son from the Cross would not look with favour upon a people' who put their fear of pain and death, their dread of snfferine and loss, their concern for comfort and ease, above the holy claims of righteousness, justice, mercy, and truth. The memory of all the saints and martvrs cries out against such a backsliding of mankind. Sad is our lot if we have forgotten how to die for a holy cause. We solemnly declare our conviction that the question of all questions for our immediate consideration is.

Mian our ancient Christian inheritance of loyalty to great and. Divine ideals be replaced by considerations of mere ex pediency i FRANCE'S NEW YEAR WISH. CALL TO UNFLAGGING WORK, OUR OWN COnnESPONDENT.) PARIS, Jan. 1. The customary New Year's visits were greatly economy even in visiting cards being fashionable.

There are few of the usual signs of the passing of a year save in the newspaper columns, which reflect upon 'the achievements of 1916 and dwell perhaps more upon the promise of 1917. In the whole Press there is a welcome absence of any blind boasting, and the articles are inspired by the necessity of.getting to work with, unflagging energy for the achievement of victory. I here is a general feeling of sausf action that a period which was awaited with some, appre hension! has been closed lor the time being at any rate, by the Allies reply to the peace proposal a general desire to thrust ail idea of peace into the background, and to think only of the war. "Victory" is France's only New Year wish. Paris, Jan.

1. The Sovereigns of Russia, Bel gium, and oerbia have exchanged xew icars greetings with President Poincare. Their messages all affirmed their determination to carry on tlie war until victory is secured. The Kings of Spain and Sweden have alo sent their greetings to the President, who has suitable replies. This morning M.

Toincare received the Presidents and officials of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Itcu ter. CHRISTMAS ON THE TIGRIS. AIRMEN'S EXPLOITS. BREAK Ift THE WEATHER.

(Fboji Edhuxd Candler.) TIG HIS FRONT, Dec. 2G via The Turks and ourselves now hold positions alternately at different points on tho Tigris right bonk for two miles downstream off tho mouth of tlio Shatt cl Hai we in touch with our communications, the Turks dependent for supplies and reinlorcements on boat transport, crossing the river by night. Ye have trenches on tho right bank immediately opposite the south east extremity ot the but i. erunsula. The Flying Corps have been putting in good work.

On December 21 nine 'machines carried out a bombing raid ou llaghela a Turkish supply centre SO miles upstream tram Kut. All machines' returned undamaged after dropping a ton ot bombs on shipping and dumps. On December 20 one of our airmen engaged a hostile Albatross over Kut, killed the observer, wounded the pilot, and brought the machine down. During the fight he descended to within of the Turkish' trenches, at which height his engine was badly holed by rifle tire from the trenches, but he managed to glide home and land safely behind our lines. lie was decorated with the Military Cross by General Maude this morning.

On the morning' 'of December 24 a captain was decorated with the DJi O. for a daring 'night flight, lie discovered a Turkish gunboat towing a pontoon bridge upstream in sections from tihumran. lie bombed her from a very low. 'altitude, caused her to' run aground and "slip her tow. lie returned, to the aerodrome for moro.bombs and again drovo her into the bank and scattered the pontoon.

lie then' returned a second time to' the camp for bombs and repeated the performance. The three journeys' kept him in the air from" midnight until 6 a m. Yesterday our aeroplanes bombed a hostile column marching towards JUagbela. Throughout the recent fighting aeroplane cooperation has rendered invaluable assistance to the cavalry. On December SO a column of cavalry made a 5trokc against the enemy's river communications ten miles upstream from Kut.

No steamers were encountered, but a Turkish detachment guarding the river were engaged' and 14 prisoners taken. The prisoners report, that the Turks suffered heavily by our bombardment of the' tianna i Yat; also that their' fuel supply is scanty, as tho area in which it has been gathered is becoming exhausted. On December 24 our cavalry raided the stronghold named Gussab's Fort, situated in the country east of the llai lUver, some 12 miles outside our lines, which has for long been a jumping otl place for marauders) We blew up and burnt the place, carrying away cheep, cattle, and timber. Christmas was observed in fine spirit las, night in our new position on the Tho troops had nlum pudding and an issue of rum. and they were singing late into the night.

In the officers' messes Lord Cur zon health was drunk in his seasonable gift of champagne. The local flora had risen to an imitation of mistletoe and holly. This was used in table decorations and labelled as such. To day the weather has broken. Rain is falling in a steady downpour.

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY TO DAY EASTWARD AMBITIONS AND PRESENT NEEDS. THE BERLIN BAGH0AD SCHEME. BULGARIA'S WORK DONE. CANADIANS' CHRISTMAS DAY TRENCH RAID. the the TWENTY GERMANS' KILLED.

Tho Canadian official communique for week endinc December 28 contained ollowing: There were no overtures of even a temporary peace held out to tho enemy on the Canadian front this Christmas Day. On the contrary, very early in the morning, while there was still complete darkness and while flying clouds' and a cold drizzling rain heralded the storm that was to come with daybreak, four large raiding parties crept across No Man's Land and, at the given n'gnal, dashed through the German entanglements and entered the nemy trenches upon a lroniage oi over zou yaro. At the same time a heavy artillery barrage was pktcvd around the raided area. The enemy at first replied with machine run 'n from flanks and a barrage, of rifle these soon ceaswl, evidently being put out of action by our artillery. In the meantime the raiding; partj quickly spread along the principal trenches, meeting with email opposition.

Seven Germans were' made prisoners and sent back to our lines, and it was estimated that about 20 others were killed. A ueutt nivnt in charcn of on of the parties was iic keu i) a urrinan, vrnom ne snot with his revolver. He then went down a dug out, where he forced a corporal and another soldier to Mirronder. In this, dug out there werfe tome parcels of cake, cigars, and i i uiuo uaiuueas wucu were camra oacK lO "CONCESSIONS FOR PEACE. Amsterdam, Jan.

1. A telegram from Sofia says that 3L RadosiavolT, the Bulgarian rrimo fillister, made the following declaration in tho Sobranyo yesterday in reply to various speakers I can assure you that Bulgaria's work has been brought to a successful conclusion. To those who assert that we are asking too much I reply that we are no Chauvinists, but that we are aware of the aspirations ot the Bulgarian people. You know from the Itoyal Manifesto issued when war was declared what Bulgariaa aspirations are. I am not obliged to reply to each speaker individually.

In reply to the criticisms of various Opposition members who spoke against the crossing of the Danube by the Bulgarian troops, M. declared that this movement had' been carried out in accordance with orders issued by the Supreme Bulgarian Command, which was of opinion that the Rumanian Army should be beaten and destroyed beyond the Danube. The Bulgarian Army had afforded valuable aid to Bulgaria Allies, who fully appreciated it. Bulgaria's alliance with the Central Empires and Turkey had not weakened. They were ready to conclude peace because they wished Ao see an end of war.

They would make concessions in the name ot humanity and for tho welfare of all nations. Rcvler. AUSTRIAN REPLY TO NOTES FROM SCANDINAVIA. Jan. 1.

Aceordiiig to a telegram from Vienna, the Avjslro.Hungamn Minister for Foreign Affairs has sent a reply to tho peace Notes of Sweden) Denmark, and Norway, iir which he says The A ustro urinaria a (lovernment is glad to state that its view in this matter agrees with yours. The Austro IIungarin Government nwffiMrl President Wilson's suggestions' sympathetically, audit is, therefore, with satisfaction that it observes that Sweden, Denmark, and support hid initiative. IleuUr. A business man described as an American Scandinavian has given to the Stockholm correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company some impressions of the conditions in Germany after a four months' visit to the western and southern states; lie says that since the itumnnlan an attempt has been made to convince Germans that the So nunc offensive succeeded only because Germany had weakened herself in order to proTido for the Rumanian attack anct "now that Rumania is dis posed of the Western front will be made again impregnable. The desire for peace (by which is understood peace on Germany's terms) is strongest in the towns, where soldiers la mines are not sufficiently supported, and weaker on the land, where farmers and peasants get along tolerably Well.

The strongest peace sentiment is, in Berlin and the western factory districts, and the weakest in Havana. Germans are full of bisr clans in the' enzineerinz. shipping and commercial domains. A great many of these plans are connected with the Berlin Baghdad ttww.uvu, wiu uitu ucvuuuu tnjuua many's success in the war. I heard; that one of the most energetic participants in such plans is II err Lohmann, who is director of the Ocean Company, which is running the submarine Deutschland.

This gentleman has got a great reputation with the Govern inent ana ine wun; ne is present at lood con icrences ana otner eonierenccs called hv the Kaiser. and occupies the place formerly held by Herr Ballin. Germany is building merchant ships as well as sub marines and there is treat talk of com bines. She is further preparinz to build a Rhine Danube shin canal.which is an indispensable feature of the Berlin Has bd ad scheme, and will lead to' German warships entering the Black Sea. A link is the Nerkar ship canal, which is already sanctioned.

Such plans nave received iresn support, irora the successes in Rumania. In Berlin has been started a nrivate mmdi. cate. backed by banking interests, for prospecting for prouiaoia engineering enterprises in Turkey and Asia. Germany's greatest economic and military trouble is likely to arise from shortage of iron and coaL That is the meaning of the export prohibition on iron lately imposed.

The Government is nervous about this, and fears that if export to Scandinavia is not maintained there will be a falling off in the Scandi navian food imports. Attempts, which are checked by insufficiency of labour, aro beinsr made to force tlie iron and coal production. This year the pig iron production will be about a third higher than last year, but still at least 20 per cent, below the last peace year. The shortage ot iron and iron workers is the main reason for curtailing the passenger train perviccs. The railways are wearing out in a way that already anects the sufficiency ot the private service, and it the war lasts much lonzer may diminish th ability to transport troops quickly which is a main cause oi bcrman military success.

The food supply question is serious, but not desperate. The relief to be gained from the occupation of Rumania is not as great as German optimists estimate. The surplus production of the average Ru manian peasant or proprietor is considerable hut the surplus production oi a population of 7.000.000 will not go far to feed a population of 70.000,000. The estimate that it would feed Germany for three months is absurd. The scarcity in Germany is, how ever, not enouen to enioreo peace, and it is not likely to have that effect unless there is a 61 crops next year.

Tho organisation of labour in Germany still has defects. In ppite of the lack of hands for iron produc wvu uuu iiiumuons moxing, mere is wnoiesalo unemployment in the textiles and clothing industries and many municipalities are spending large sums in supporting Uie unemployed. In Berlin I was told that 35,000 unemployed in these branches were receiving support, The municipal finances everywhere aro under heavy pressure. Under the new Auxilir ury mw law unemployment will probably cease. The Auxiliary Service law is not relished by the civil population, but it is considered unavoidable ARCHBISHOP COUNT SZEPTYCKL, PRINCE BULOW IN SWITZERLAND.

Dec. 31. Prince Biilow, accom panied by numerous secretaries, has arrived in Exchange TckgrajJi Company. is understood 1 hat the former Austro nungarian Foreign Minister, Count Agenor Golu chowski. and the son of the German Imperial Chancellor, Ilerr von Bethmann' llullweg, have also gone) to Switzerland from Vienna, apparently iu connexion with the Austro German ieace tuanu uvrcs.

4 WOMEN LUNATICS BURNT TO DEATH. Moxtbeal, Dec. 31. Forty six women wero burnt to death in the destruction of a femalo idiot rwsyluin at St. Ferdinand, Megantic County, on SaturdVy evenifig.

Tho fire started while the inmates were asleep. When, tliey awoke the panic was uncontrollable. our Many leabed from high windows and were injured. trenches. Altogetlier, tome eight dug outs were I Others crouched in terror' near the windows bombed and our parties then successfully returned, they laving Fuiierra as casualties oruy one man klueu was Ann a TiTV fpvr Hlicrhtlv RUSSIAN FIELD POSTS ALERT.

IN GERMAN KA1D STOPPED PKIPET MARSHES. RcsstAN report, Jan. 1 About 3 o'clock in tho afternoon of December 31 tho Germans concentrated a fierco artillery1 tiro on our trenches in tho region of Plicshchitsa Knuboff (a few mii a south of Pin.sk, in the Rustiian centre, at towards 6 o'clock tho wiemy'ii infantry, ubout two com)anica etronq, launched attack on our advanced pos s. Tho attack uns twice re ome eharo in any new Cabinet which might bo i pulsed by cur rifle and artillery lire. As the As it is, hoy aro only spectators result of a third bttack the enemy almost succeeded, in occupying our trenches, but by formed.

Iktti ery mtcresica spectators, sinco tno new Centre Party will bo absolutely dependent upon "win for its existence. Mr. Hughes undoubtedly expects to receive accretions of strength from the ranks of tlio irreconcilables. bv sittinc a tlw Government benclies and cnrrj'ing out i iaoour policy, upon which ho was elected, ft i lnsintained by his friends that lie has ai tlvo only practicable course to isolate Jhs extremists who liavo forced themselves Uw front in the Labour movement, TheYnre tho success of tbo Primo Minister's Phnenfc liangs upon prolongation of Jha life of Parliament. It cannot bo truthr uy aflinned that ho has carried with him tho talent of liis old party.

Caustic critics tacrt that tho new Cabinet ought to bo known tho Ono Man, Job Cabinet," since wt'v" nenibew who constituto tlie party, ,6 have received various offices. Tlio best that a be said for it is that its fortunes are on the of tho gods. Mr. Hughes has' with him enator and 14 members of the House of prescntAti es his Labour opponents number Bcaatora nad 28 rcpreseatati ea. POTATOES IN THE PARKS.

TO T1IE EDITOR OK THE TIMES. Sir, Sinco I afeked the then First Commissioner ol Works oh the 4th inst. whether he would consider tlw advLutbility ploughing the grasslands in the lloyat parks forthwith and planting potatoes there in the spring the subject has been diM.Ui. ed froui many ioints of view. A good many eople seem to think that the existence of other arable land, atpresent untill.

ot better quality than the laud in tho parks is an unanswerable argument an. energetc counter attack our post ion was aBiUnsm that a proximity to centres of iwpulation is that v.vV.. vi. v. uiiar oucht nol sivo to.

the south of tins regi were also until were incinerated. The outside temperature Odeg. below icro Fahrenheit, so that the water in the hydrants was frozen. Many women lied from the premises and were later fouud wandering and taken to the homes of villagers. convent adjoining the asylum was also burnt and 'JO students had narrow escapes.

January 1. Among the victims is a 'nun who lost her life while gallantly attempting to rescue Mime of her patients. Of the 150 inmates who escaped many were frostbitten. AVufer. JUSTICE DONE TO AN EMINENT RUTHENE PRELATE.

We understand that tho TJniato Catholic Archbishop of Lemberg. Mgr. Count Szeptycki, who was removed to tho interior of Russia after the Russian occupation of Lemberg and was subsequently detained in tho Orthodox monastery of Suzdal, has now been transferred to Jaroslav, where a house and grounds have been placed at his disposal, together with a chapel in which ho will bo ablo to conduct worship according to tho Uniate Catholic rite. Mgr. Szeptycki an eminent ecclesiastic belonging to an ancient Ruthene family, who many years ago joined the Uniate Church and became Uniate Archbishop of Lemberg.

His influence over the Ruthenra or Little Russians of Galici.v wan considerable. On account of. hU connexion with the Ukraine political movement he becaine obnoxious to the Orthodox clergy, and was on this account removed to Russia after the Russian conquest of Galicia. His internment at Suzdal, which regarded in Russia as a place of detention for refractory and heretical clergv. cave deeo offpnee tn fh Hlays Czechs.

Croat, and Slovenes who numoer some and particularly to the Ruthene Uniates of Galicia. The news thathe his now been liberated from this detention and daee.1 In Kiir. roundings where hi personal freedom will be less reiiricxeu ana nis religious ireedom restored is liVely to give iatifaction to all Catholics of Slavonic race, as well as to those friends of Russia who regretted the mistakes committed under the influence of fanatical Orthodox ecclesiastics during the Russian occupation of Galicia. THE BELGIAN ENTRY INTO TABORA. LATE WAR NEWS.

RUSSIA'S CLAIM TO STRAITS. THE WHOLE HEARTED ASSENT BRITISH PETT.OGKAD, Jan. 1, The annual New Year's dinner of the English Club took place today. Sir George Buchanan, the British Ambassador, presided, and the guests included 31. Rodzianko, who is president of the RUsso Enclish Society, M.

SazonoS, who is president of the Russo Bntish Chamber of 'Coramerce, and General 'Sir John Hanbury Williams. Sir George Buchanan, in the speech of the evening, referred to Germany's peace move, and said there was but one answer which the Allies could give to such a proposal. We have read in the Old Testiment (he said) how when Joram. Kior of Israel, went out to meet Jeha and asked. Is it peace.

Jehu the latter replied. What peace so long as the whoredoms of thy mother. Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many Our reply, though couched in the diplo matic language oi me twentieth, century, is Tir tnallv to the same effect. Between ti and itvrmanv a great gulf is fixed, red with the blood of peaceful TI i i until the armies of Germany have been defeated and the spirit of militarism permeating the whole Daring tho past two years Great Britain has more than once been accused hot only of wishing to secure for herself the lion's shirs, of tlie spoils. out oi inwarnng xne realization oi ttusna a traditional ambitions.

M. Trepofl's recent statement in the Duma respecting Constantinople and the Straits agreement has laid that bosy at rest for ever. His Majesty's Government, when first approached on the subject early in thcspriiuj of 1915, at once expiessed its whole hearted assent. We want to ne Ttnwii lanrelv rannnitH fnr all liar services and sacrifices, we want to" help her to win the prize she so long dreamt of. we.

want to see her strong and prosperous and we want to consoli date for ail time the alliance which this, war has cemented, for on its maintenance depends the future peace of the world. That is the cornerstone of our policy, and now that we are firm friend let us do in taae to nenrt ine aaviee given by Polonius to his son. The friends thou hast and their adoptioh tried. grapple them to thy soul with In. the course of his speech Sir George Buchanan remarked that during the war Great Britain had advanced over to her Allies for the purchase of war material, which otherwise would have been, unprocurable, besides what she had supplied direct.

licutcr. RUMANIAN UNTY. M. BRATIANO'S APPEAL TO PARTIES. Jassy, Monday Parliament having decided to sit uninterruptedly, the Houso met yesterday.

At tho onenimr of the sitthur ririnm moajmvM were adopted practically without including a. Bill authorising th appointment to the Cabin of Ministers without portfolio. M. Cuza. a denutv.

said he would oppose the measure for economic reasons, and 21. Jorga. another member, declami that he objected to the Rill as' it tended to reduce the responsibility of the Cabinet. ii. xjiauwio, rcvuuer.

in a powenui ana Through German THE DUTCH FRONTIER. GERMAN TRENCHES AND ENGLISH TYRANNY. After a Ions period of silence in the German Press about Holland, the Cologne GazetU sud denly produced last Wednesday evening an evidently inspired note, called Tho Eyrttfiea tions on the Belsro Dutch Frontier. it aays that "for some time past?" there; Javo. been expressions of uneasiness in the Dutch Press about the fortificationi constructed by the Germans on the frontier, and proceeds' People have even been pleased to See behind the fact of these constractions an aggressive lntcnUoa on the German side against Holland.

These trenches. however, are nothirig more' than a measure of pre caution on the part ot the Oerman Amy Uommann. which is accustomed to reckon with all even the most remote possibilities. Just as very ctzcag positions re constructed behind our impenetrable front fanes in the West without there being any consequent ide of giving up the front lines, so these trenches on tho Dutch frontier are only made to serve for the eventual defence of our "own territory. The Colome OaseiU notoTthen in its best style reminds Holland ofthe awful example of Greece, and renews the old tary that it is England who threatens Holland.

The argument, runs tous i The Dutch wiQ doubtless be men enough to defend their country it the English should dare to violatex their neutrality. But the example of Greec most gf food for thought to any cautious Government which does not desire to omit the smallest precaution for the defence of its own country. In the case of Greece. England's brutality and the unscrupulous employment ot her power have forced a neutral State to go to the utmost Units in surrendering to her demands. Uf course, matters wUl never go so tar with Holland.

But in the worst event, and if Kngland should attempt to force her way into Germany through Dutch territory, the German Supreme Command must be armed. and the fact that it will be thus armed is proved by the fortifications which have given occasion for so many false speeulatJbns. The Duteh" should see in these trenches on their frontier no thing' bat tnevisibie sign of the fact that BnrUnd's brutal do mEation shrinks from no violation of international law, that it can be opposed only by1 force, and: that even the Dutch must be armed at all times to defend 'their mother country aeainst the tyrants on tho other side of the ChanneL Disappointed Reichstag. It aDDcars' from a telczram from Berlin to tha Frankfurter Zeilung that the. German publio spent Christmas in tho happy belief that imme diately alter the Stevr Year tho mam Committee oT the Reichstac would bo able to cct to work again on the results of the German peace over tuxes.

1 be date uxed was to morrowf 0 anu ry 3. now stated that the publication of this date was always speculative, as it" is still quite uncertain whether or "when there will Beany more emergency meetings oT tho Reichstag. cxpliiuievl that eyerythmg depends upon whether the course of tho foreign affairs which have begun with the German, offer to negotiate about peace, and which havo found their continuation in the Wilson Note and the Swiss Note, and must find their further and most important continuation in the answers of tho Entente States, will make i( seem, to the Imperial Government to bo necessary to have a epinted reply, pomted out that the nomination of discussion with tho Reichstag Committee or niuwui. puruuuu uiu not in any WT il t) imply a diininution in the responsibility of the pnt P10 Rcichste8 Cabinet, but represented a spirit of solidarity with Imperial Conference England's Satellitet. the people.

In view of the present circumsUnm 1 iAAs. rM, tnri: V. Kw htTcauceS Germany the calling of tho may enter my iMuusty, M. Bratiano continued. Imperial Conference.

The Berlin Lokalanzetger Vmy responsibility will not be lessened, nor do I publishes a bitter note on the summoning of intend that it should be. I make an anneal foe i 'nfTJanH'j Bitllit." everybody's cooperation to carry out the work of the Vlnirf vwi.n nation, but whiia 1 reLaln the confidence of tho Kimr Iv eT ITI ti i "7 ws declare how eat aro the acrUlces which thev aro and ot Parliament and while my conscience does not force me to retire I intend, mamtaining ray responsibility unimpaired Before leaving Oukarest I asked 31. Marghuoman (the leader of the Conservatives and the political. opponent of if. Bratiano) for his support.

I have never done thw before In my life, and my only regret i that M. Marghiloman did not respond to my appeal. still willing to make, and what wUhes Kngland, is' to satisfy for them at the conclusion of peace. Australia, by the refusal of compulsory service, has already indicated that there are certain limits to her rcadines to make sacriflces. For an enormous continent with' only 5,000,000 inhabitants the loss of thousands of lives much more serious than for thickly populated The Prime Ministes speech was reeeivrd bv Ka I It is.not prohah tta the population oc House With prolonged aid enthusiastic cheeri and AU6lraua commue uiisenismy 10 nce mcir the Bill was adopted llnanimously less one vote Prosperity the; service of the mother country, Beuitr.

especially as Australia a future is threatened with We published yesterday the full list of the hew Ministry, including throe members without port foUo. IMPERIAL AND FOREIGN NEWS ITEMS. beaten back by our fire. bouthwest of lirody in Oalicia the enemy ought not to lost Mght of. It would be much easier tolind labour in London than in the country, and if large "quantities of potatoes were crown in i lA iitu Lvw4.fcv.

a were CTowti 1 i .1 thfcUy Poiulated. districts, Tthe problems of SUI I I II ILHI 1 IAJ IVlUlb lUMfl I Is rilT. hA t.ila...L Krrl.orrl.'nr. or rvwiHon in lH aismBUllon WOU1U De greatly Slmplihcd. i Th of 1 C'r It is Satisfactory to 'learn that the new First Com utn ZlZZ Pontkowica and Dubic In tho first region tho nt urt i.

civilian camp. ENTHUSIASM OF THE. NATIVES. An eye witness gives the following account of the entry of the Belgian Army in September last into the German stronghold in Easjt Africa on the railway from Lake to the coast Four days before the fall of the town those who were in the town heard heavy gunfire, from a day's engagement which taking place some distance to the north. That evening the Ucrmans up tho white llag And began to evacuate tho place.

The fact, however, that a stray cow got oa to the railway iind. upsetting sorno trucks, caused a stoppage of traffic, compelled the Germans to return sLnii doing so, they found that their position was not so bad as they hAd at lirst thought, thereupon they haulei down the white hag and again raised the German, ttandard A few days later tho Oermans found that their position was untenable and they packed off and cleared to the south and e.ist, leaving behind them in Tabora aliout 150 German xoldiem (whites) in ho5'pitaIv two thirds of 'whom were in rcalitv nuit. 11 1 .1 jr. i 1 kic 10 kbic in auanion mcy leit Dfnind them a large number of 'civilian men and women, also Germans. I At.

he earliest imssible a considerable jnurfiber of the Oerman military discarded their uniiorms arm urcswa wcivwian clothrs. The Belgian advance guard reached the town about 11 in the morning, and the main force came in during tho afternoon. The German whitc'flag was at once hauhd down and replaced by the Belgian flag at the bigiort. The scene was one of the greatest ent husiasm and rejoicing. Thousands of Africans and Arabs who had been under German rule turned out lo welcome the Belgians, and the whole town was ablaze with British, French, Belgian, and Italian flags.

The Belgian commanders allowed full liberty to the German civilians who had been left behind, but in a lew days, they found that their confidence had been Ileavy gunfire in a north westerly direction was heard, in Holland yesterday. A cloudburst has. caused floods in Southern Tas mania, resulting in widespread damage. Daylisht saving came into operation throughout Australia at 2i o'clock yesterday morning. In Newfoundland tlie irriportation.

manufacture. and salt of intoxicantd is now forbidden. Accordinc to a Berlin telecram the Tvaisar asked the King of Sajony to accejit the Order Pour le Meritc. Five men were drowned on, Sundav at Perth (W.A.) in ai attempt to save the life of a ladv. who was drowned while surf bathing.

M. Capus, writing ia tlw Figaro, says "To gain our cnU lh a lew months, all. that is required is energy, constancy, and method." 1 The Pope. th United States, and.Fpain. support a proposal of the! tiueei of tho Belsiana tu build in Holland an asvlum lor tho orphans Of Belgian iwldiers, On the Belgian front yesterday of Itamwa pelle, and near Ilixmude there.

were mutual bombardments. There was a livery artillery and field gun duel at Het hias. Interoesoion services for. the Allje were held on Saturday in oil the and on Sunday in uli the churche? of tin; Commonwealth. Lare congregations attend It has not yet been' decidel who is to represent Australia at the Imperial War Council.

Cook will probably confer with iir. Hughes to daj and ti announcement this week. The death has ocurred of Mr. a well knovn detective, who attended Kin (reorre (then Prince Georsei and 1'rinee Albert Victor during their vifit to Victoria in 1SS1. Shops in Portugal arc to be closed in future at 7 p.m., and restaurant at II p.m., while the tramway service is Jo cease at' 12.30 a.ni.

Iegal time is to be advanced by one hour from March I t. October 31. The Sultans of 'Selanior and Pera'k in Mi Council mot id and seconded resjiettively the annual war contribution of This, with the proposed contribution by the Straits S'ttlementi. makes ajmiliron sterling contributett Ironi the Malay States. An Ottawa telegram says that the reception held by the Duke, of Devonshire on the occasion of the new year was largely attended.

At a dinner provided by the (irand Trunk ltailwav to returned Sir Kobcrt Borden; the I'rime Minister, gave a patriotic of; KosLand's Allies. The fetate of affairs, in Canada is similar. Thcro also ieopIc are Uginning to regard the great losses of life as alarming. Tho Lokalanzeiger goes on to explain as follows that "English Liberalism" expected sfUl to defeat all proposals of.economia union of the Empire Agreementt with tha Dominions are to be Inada also for the time after the war. The Colonies are to bo brought into the ring the Paris Kconomie Conference.

That is jwssible orjy if th'o Custom! Union always combated by English liberalism which Chamberlain attempted in vain to realizo. comes to Ufe. Thereby a sacred tradition, which has prevailed lor centuries tic), would be carried to its grave. Christmas Wishes of German Admirals. Tho Hamburger FrcmcUt ibtaii publishes tho following Christmas grwitings and wishes from Gerinan admirals AiiMiRAii vox Holtzexdorfi Head of the Admiralstab "Full steam ahead, with God and confidence.

The goal is near, and will be reached." Adxiuai. vox CafKtT.K, Tirpitz's successor aj Secrt tixry of State lh recognition always be present to the German jx opfe that only unity' makes us strong to light tlirough this war victoriously." vox ScuitODEK in ronunand on th" Belsnan co.ift My wish for Christmas, 1916, that the "ary may te iermitted in ever increasing degnt! from thu conit oi jMantlen to bring ruin below and above water to otr bitterest enoniy." Adm1R.1I. fSCHEEE, in command of the High Sej Fleet Feiir of iod, willlfor tarilice. conlidence endurance, determituition, victory." Vice Admibal vox Hji'Pkk, in command of the German crul ers the strong ships, the strong weapons, and th strong hvarta of the German peorlj ever our motto." VirE ADiiiR ii. Sorciiox, in comthand of th Turkish Navy: vm ur enemies still doubt that we shall hold out what remains, for to do is to skow that we aru victorious.

So, at them and through them I 1 INDIAN REFORMS. NATIONAL CONGKES.S BACKED BV MOSLEM LEAGUE. LrcKN'pw, Dec 28 Sir James Mcston, tho Lieutenant Governor of tho United Provinces, attended tho National Confess to day. Keplyirig to addr s. o( welcome he' joiatfxl out that he had watched with interest and not without deep sympathy the growth of this national inoveinent.

't he Congress, amid Uud aJid prolonged ch trs. passd a resolution expresini; l'egn at the death ot Lord Kitchener, leei loyalty and devotion to tbo Throne, and hoina for tho suco. sii of th Allifs. Tin; resolution atu reial of the Act, the enlistment of volunteer fore aud the orehin? of the commissioned rarriw 10 inuians. it empnasizett decorated with the Grand Cross of thi Military Onler of Savoy.

General Porro, Sub Chief of the Italian "iu" iiwuf ixmgiii ommanuer I of the samconlwi ami other Italian generals have been decorated. ov uivu uiicrneu la a enemy is using shells charged with asphyxiatins as to what can be done with the narks." 1 i 1 Afriea comed I' illcrr FVanx Mehring. the Socialist, who iwaa cas. am confident that Sir Alfmi Mona wffll not 1 11 a4vance th And trooI wl even I dtly released from preventive detention, has. iuuuwob nuuwry ujnawuu.

Tajiitroy. per nd tha. if hl, that potatoes can low PGf' the nprionmer.t of Herr Uebknecht. iracssl 1 rcss. i rouh in Hyde I'ark or Itegent's Park ri i.

i ii.i ii ui liiu uau a tie i in? nmn nr i i i UUwA.viCr, wu. i. IP111 uc rw iwriHl icon. aav. Mav thev never ii ome jtepubiican '17eputK and a com mittee formed to present a MunorAal to 'Marshal call a nft etir of all i i i ii i i i.

General Cadorna and the I)uke of Aosta hive been i Jltf. vinc that, when the Kin fa rermitin sergeant the anarchist recruiter wall ThS resolution further insistei on the more liberal treatment of Indian settlers in the Colonies. Renter Januarv 1. Tho Moslem League to day The Raid of the village of Mahtkas. in Tiriujtu i'paKl 'resolution endorsing the National (Algeria), is visiting the French war factories, whom Conpress's demands for reform, over 20.000JVIussulmans are employe.1.

He brought t. ltnU nd a deputation to KnsUivt M. I oincare from the Kabyles a tribute of their de immediately alter the war to coo) rate with a sihlilw votion to France and their pledgrj to contribute in deputation from the. National Congress in pressing every way to the defence of French soiL Indian clainM. Other resolutions were adopted ou King Victor Emmanuel vesterday receivetl in the the same lines as thoW jassod by the Congress, war zon deputations from the Italian Parliament sir Jamfti Mtonf lieutenant Governor of the The spokesmen expressed gratitude to the Kin for Cnited lrovinre, uttt nded the meeting of the League, his work with thei annv and the desir of the iieoi.le He hal a rousing rcrl'tion.

He Haul he hop th that the war may be finished bv a victorv which would deliberation' ot the atme would advance the welfare give Batisfaction to the national aspirations. iand haipme of the great Moslem, community. 'Hi itter, in. Biclmiond Park he will nt he deUrred I cone awav. ifav South of Riga and near Kmorgon strong Russian Jn of emnlovin tl i firs number of lashes the raiding nanlm were renulaed.

sugsestlon oi emploing the parks for 'the raiiins U.U tl ri ran On the northern banklof the Pripet near Pinsk Like.ljrd pencer I am "not an agri German aismounted cavalry stormed two Russian cultural labourer I but I am informed by those more vantage inU and returned with one officer and i cicely connected with our premier industry that the 15 men prisoner: rufer. laVdf Park aurc Rood enough for potatoes; IHOl a uiuq imro in rcuruorjr HUUHI uu ine Wireworms, and that the question of artificial fertilizers would not arise until the second year. I have tho honour to. remain. Sir.

'your obedient servant, K. W. BARNETT. Park Ledge, Park Village West, N.W.. Dec 2U or fnT BaUheA9r PPrters to the Germans.

The common His opponent is a non Socialist candidate. return." The 15 'j'" the minimum eivn i lu 7 rmin :1 Jonre yefcteroay uecidetl RcuUr. CAPTURES OX THE IS0NZ0 FRONT. King Albert received yesterday an address from tlie Belgian Ministers presenting their good wishes and declaring We sslute you in tlie New Year, tho year which will bring liberation to our country and reparation for long Tlie following Italian cornJiuniqMe was issued" yestertlay rafrrtc fi in a 1 1 i I r. i.

w. I. largo numbers, and even before the fall of Tahnrl "tl'uues anu others wno sympathize with the Allies, uucla Pulc" KU? euflicient men to form a couple of regiments, went ,7 express their admiration i Astico A alley, and on the Jlliian lrontAOUilllg over to the Allies. The natives would rrgard with Juurc it sympamy lor the UlieU ot importance to report terror any possibility of the return of the Germans, cause Home, Dt'c. 31.

'file in one aisirict wnere a smau uritisn column tempo I a. 4 rwuj vupieu wjv wupiry ana waa weJcomed by av VA WllCli LllK i 9 IUCU. tJUl AL JUPUUUB 1TV' MA nvww Germans returned. 1 inn.i fu TT: on tne isonzo lront alone, lrom, august to uccem The enemy adopted every possible device to give ripened and caused a glut on the Sydney markets, 1 bcr the Italians captured 42,000 prisoners, b'0 the campaign the character of a holy war. but wer I partly due to the delay in reopening the jam factories i guns, and ,200, machine guns.

Exchange Tele ciitirclyunsuccessfuh Bfiv afy tlje coal strike. i graph Company. Italian Supreme Gom December 31 was the hottest day of the year in man'd has published a review of the past year's by Australia. At Melbourne the thermometoLregistered ttar operations in which it is announced that I I'i LtUl, l0ii7: on the Isonzo front alone, from, August to Dccem IT! I.