EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
THE GERMAN SITUATION...
DESCRIBED AS VERY SERIOUS,
London, March &
Beater learns that all authoritative information con. frma that the situation in Germany is very serious. Since the murder of Essner,theCentral Council of Bavaria, which is the only existing organ of the Government, is dominated by a amali band of Bolsheviks supported by an armed moh of soldiers and sailors and the worst elements of the town, Tha for the first time a purely Bolshevik Government has been set up in Germany, controlled by Russian agitators who are in close touch with the Bolshevik Headquarters at Moscow. The position of Scheidemann's Government is regarded as shaky and its only effective support is believed to be General Noskes 26,000 troops.
GENERAL STRIKE FAILS.
Copenhagen, Marel &
A semi-official message from Berlin, dated March 5 da clares that
having the general strike is regarded as thoroughly failed. The postal officials and big store em- ployees oppose the strike and smaller manufacturers are Government basy, although the bigger are not working,
troops are guarding the most important places and have re-occupied the Police Stations. It is stated that the Gor- ernment has the situation completely in hand. “
A message from Weimar, dated March 3 states that negotiations between Berlin and Majority Socialists and the Government eased the situation. The Government is proposing to Berlin strikers that Workers and Soldiers Councils shall form an organic part of the Constitution
MINISTRY RESIGNS.
Amsterdam, March 7
A message from Berlin says that the Scheidemann Mit- istry has resigned but Herr Ebert had declined to accept it. CROWD FIRED ON.
Basle, March 6.
A message from Berlin, dated March 3, says the crowd tried to hold ap the troops marching to protect the police. Presidency troops fired, dispersing them An attempt by the Spartacists to storm the Alexander Harracks was re- pulsed. Numerous barricadles are erected in the main thoroughfares and many tanks are used to clear the streets of demonstrators. Pillazing has increased. Foodshops and drapers establishments have been extensively looted
A message from Prague says: The general strike in the German towns of Bonemia is a fasc. A Bolshevist agitator at Nuna was arrested to save lynching by the crowd.
THE ARMISTICE TERMS.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE YIELDS A POINT.
Paris, March 7.
In discussion yesterday Mr. Lloyd George yielded to the view that for England to take some German capital ships would involve her in Naval competition with the United States. Great Britain and America were now agreed on this question, and in order to harmonise their view with France and Italy some ships should possibly be appor. tioned to the latter countries, instead of being destroyed. The question of the duration of the Naval and Military terms is beginning to assume a more important aspect than the terms themselves.
.:
The actual terms as considered yesterday may be sum- marised as follows: Disarmament down to 200,000 men, consisting of 15 divisions of infantry and 5 of cavalry, divid- ed into five Army groups The men to be chosen by lot for one year service as class mast not exeed 150,000. The oficers must serve 25 years, non, coms. 15 years. Provision will be made for the effective enforcement of this system, the continuance or modification of which will eventually be determined by the League of Nations: The amount of arms and ammunition to be restricted to the ratio re- quisite for the above force.
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
Paris, March 11,
The Supreme Council of Wer will hear Marshal Foch's report on the proposals of Mr. Lloyd George for Germany's military disarmament, requiring Germany not to be allowed more than 100,000 men under arms, including the police and customs officers. Those views are not fully shared by Marshal Foch, who objects to a professional army which is the nursery of cadres for the eventuality of mobi Hisation. It would be better to reduce the General Staff cadre than the number of men spending a few months in barracks-Havá.
BRITAIN OPPOSES_CONSCRIPTION.
London, March 6,
In the House of Commons Mr. Churchill, speaking on the motion for the rejection of the Military Service Bill, said the Government policy was against permanent con- scription and for the creation of a volunteer army for over- seas garrisons and home defence. The scheme was pro- gressing well. We were fighting in Paris for the abolition of conscription throughout Europe, had recommended its aboli- tion in Germany and had advanced detailed proposals for limiting the German aring on a long service voluntary basis, capable of maintaining internal peace but incapable of menacing the security of neighbouring states. He did not know whether the British view would prevail as we would be soon almost alone in this policy but the discussions were proceeding. It was possible that Japan, France, Italy, and the United States might all adopt some form of compulsory service, while as regards Russia that "pioneer of advanced democratic thought" had already adopted the most violent form of conscription, encompassed by the cruellest condi- tions. Nevertheless we were doing our utmost by precept. and example to procure the universal adoption of volun taryism throughout Europe and we had already begun to re-establish the voluntary system to which before the war We were almost the sole adherent. He emphasised that the Bill was not wanted for sending a large force to Bussis, No one would be foolish enough to suggest intervening there - with conscript troops, He pointed out that since Nov. 11" -none had been called up under the Military Service Act. If it became necessary to keep an army on the Rhine during the greater part of 1990 we would consult the House about calling up young men to go out as reliefs but he did not believe that would be necessary. Our army on the Rhine and communications was 130,000 which was oo larger than the United States was keeping there at present, but natural- ly was far smaller than the French forces. We would be prepared to reduce our forces if the others reduced theirs. He concluded be urging the perions necessity of the bill sa without it we could not secure the fruits of twat podat
The Military Service Bill 'passed the second reading by 200 votes to 11.
LELEGRAPH.
"MONDAY, MARCH
17.
EARLIER TELEGRAM.
GERMAN DESTRUCTION.
Paris, March 11. German official documents discovered at Brussels de monatrate in connection with the destruction of the occupied districts of France and Belgium that a pulling down department was a. branch of the Governor-General's or ganisation at Brussels.
Paris, March 11. President Deschanel, explained at a meeting at the Trocadero that innocent France was ruined, while guilty Germany was intact. She shall pas."...Haraa.
THE DANGERS OF BOLSHEVISM.
London, March 7.
In the House of Cotumons, replying to a debate on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Benar Law said few people now had any illusions as regards Bolshevism. The Allies agreed that something must be done for Russia, but nons would recommend the despatching of the necessary forces to quell anarchy. He could not in this connection add anything to the speech of the Premier. The Government realised that the country expected to get the best possible indemnities from Germany and he emphasised that it was our business to get every penny we could but it was useless holding out the hope that the indemnities would wipe out the country's immense war debt. He agreed it was urgent to get peace quickly because there was a real danger of Germany sinking inte Bolshevism Moreover there was the greatest necessity to get our trade and industry restarted most effectively and therefore the sooner the blockade was ended with the knowledge that we could depend upon another weapon the better it would be for Britain and the world.
FIGHTING THE BOLSHEVIKS.
London, March
Reuter is informed that the Bolsheviks re-attacked the Archangel front on the afternoon of March 1. After a heavy bombardment of the "Vaga Sector infantry captured the village of Yersiewskaya from which. Allied troops after"& gallant resistance all day and night withdrew about a mile, early in the morning of "Mar 5 after inflicting heavy" casualties on the enemy. Allied blockhouses and the village were burned pat. In fighting on the Murmansk front last week the Allies inflicted heavy casualties on the Bolsheviks of whom three leading Commanders were killed. The enemy is now withdrawing, probably transferring in the direction el Perm.
HUGE COAL PROFITS.
IT
Loados, March 5. Remarkable revealations regarding the increase in coal profits in wartime was made as the first sitting of the Coal Commission of the House of Lords to day by Mr. A. L. Dic- kinson, Financial Adviser to the Coal Controller, who stated that while on an average during the four years ending in 1913 the output of coal in Britain was 270,000,000 tons and "the profit £13,000,000 the corresponding figures for 1918 up to September were 219,000,000 tons and £9,000,000, Mr. Dickinson admitted that the Government increase of 26 on June 10, 1913, meant that £23,000,000 was taken from the public. The increase would not have been granted had "the Government had the above figures before it. Mr. Dickin- 600 estimated the granting of the miners demands would increase the cost of the production of coal by 67 a ton compared with September 1915.
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BRITAIN'S AVIATION PROSPECTS.
London, March 14.
The "Times" correspondent at Paris dealing with com- mercial aviation emphasises that the British Empire holds a very strong position since the two great world air routes, namely from Europe to Australia via India and from Cairo to the Cape lie largely over British territory. He arges the establishment of supply and repair stations on these routes as soon as possible and the appointment of an Imperial Air Commission to decide what proportion of the cost should be borne by the Dominions and Colonies and resolve on the standardisation of one type of engine and aeroplane for the route, He contends there must be a standard British engine for the whole Empire, because stations on the Imperial Air routes will be unable to stock spare parts for more than one type of engine or be staffed" with mechanics expert in more than one machine: The immediate adoption of a standard engine would compel other countries using the British routes to adopt British engines and British machines, giving British industry s practical monopoly of commercial aeroplanes in the eastern hemisphere. He concludes by emphasising the strategic value of the above routes enabling the Impérial Air Forces to speedily concentrate in Egypt.
FIXING THE INDEMNITY.
London, March 6. Speaking at the Institute of Bankers last night, Sir Charles Addis (London manager of the Hongkong
and Shanghai. Banking Corporation), said a view of the modern war, money and indemni- tics suggested that they should be moderate in the amount they thought that Germany ought to pay, but there ve nothing weak or unmanly in practising the Christian law of forgiveness. Penal indemnity was bad business. The argument for inflicting an indemnity such as would cripple Germany economically and prevent her preparing another.. war appeared to be self-destructive. Obviously crippled Germany could not pay the penal indemnity. It was a chimera to suppose that peace could be guaranteed by crippling a nation. After the prior claims of France, Bel- gium, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Rumania and Montenegro had all been satisfied and our own civilian 'damage repaired he feared little would be left to defray our military expenditure even if Germany was skinned. To secure the maximumS indemnity with the minimum injury to British trade, it would be necessary to afford Germany free access to raw materials and freedom to arrange her own mode of paying the indemnity which should be for a moderate amount well within her "taxable capacity and on meh terms as to keep alive in the debtor the hope of redemption within a resson- ablo fíme.
1919.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
THE LCC ELECTIONS.
MUNICIPAL REFORMERS STRONG.
London, March 7. The London County Gouncil elections took place yester day. Seventy-eight results have been announced, including 48 unopposed, namely 39 Municipal Reformars, 17 Progres- sires. The elected comprise sight Reformers, nino Pro- gressives, Ars Labourites The Duchess of Marlborough, Progressive, was returned at the head of the poll for Southwark
The final results of the London County Council elec tions are Municipal Reformers 80, Progressives 40, Labour 15, Independent 1.
NORTH RUSSIAN SITUATION
London, March 6 Reater learns that the situation in Russia is at present as follows-In the Northern Urals Siberian troops aro continuing their successful movement. South-west of Kan- gur, and south of the Tiatkaperm railway and advancing on Sarapal. In the Southern Urals Siberian troops have cocupied Nikolskoe, 32 miles east by south of Birsk. Gen- eral Datoff's Cossacks eut the Tashkent-Orenburg railway. Bolshevik forces in the above, regions are estimated at 133,000,
THE EX-KAISER'S TRIAL.
Paris, March 11. Well-informed quarters in Paris state that as a result of the report of the Conference Commission dealing with the responsibility of the war, the Kaiser's extradition may be demanded from the Dutch Government.
The proposal
is that National Tribunals shall try all offences against the common law, and that an International Tribunal should deal with the questions affecting the heads of states, and leading generals incriminated.Havar,
BELGIUM'S CLAIMS.
Paris, March 6,
It is stated that the Commission on Belgian Affairs has decided to make no recommendation as regards the Belgian claims to Dutch territory, regarding it as outside its jurisdiction to dispose of territory belonging to a neutral.
TRADE WITH THE DOMINIONS.
London, March 7.
In the House of Lords, rephing to a question, Lord Somerleyton on behalf of the Board of Trade said Board of Trade licences issued during the carrent year did not operate disadvantageously to trade with the Dominions. The Government earnestly desired to give the Dominions the utmost possible roarkets for their exports and foster trade within the Empire for those commodities which each part of the Empire was best fitted to produce. A Confer ence between representatives of the Canadian Mission and the Government was recently held at which the views of Canads were fully stated and considered It was hoped that the Conference would produce good results to the Mother Country and Canada
IMPORT RESTRICTIONS.
+T
London, March 7. In the House of Commons Mr. Bridgman announced that the Government had decided that import restrictions should continue to be imposed on goods coming from any part of the Empire. Without the consent of the Cabinet which, could not be given unless some unforeseen necessity arose it was impossible at present to remove all the restric tions on imports from foreign countries but all raw materials would be free froin import restrictions:
THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.
London, March a Naval Estimates have beer issued for 1919-1920-xmount- ing to £149,000,000, and providing for a personnel of 280,000.
The largest items nude E67,000,000 for new COR struction, repairs and maintenance, £28,000,000 for wages, and £15,000,000 for armaments and aviation.
NEW AERIAL SERVICES.
Paris, March 11. ` French aeroplane firms are planning aerobus routes to London and various French provincial towns in Algeria and Morgeco. An English aerial service is to he started very soon between London and Paris, the return fare being £15, -Harsa.
AMERICA WARNS ITALY.
Washington, March 7.
The United States has warned Italy that unless the latter ends the delays being caused to the transmission of supplies to the newly established Jugo Slay and Czecho Slav-States steps will be taken to cut off the supply American foodstuffs to Italy.
TROOP TRAINS COLLIDE.
Amien, March 5. A British leave train proceeding to Rouen collided with troop train and was wrecked. The bodies of eleven British soldiers were extricated from the wreckage and 15 were injured.
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS,
London, March 13.
It is officially announced that Sir Douglas Haig has been appointed Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, the forces in Great Britain, Bir William Robertson has been appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the army of the Rhine.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE IN PARIS.
Paris, March 4,
Mr. Lloyd George has arrived.
FACTORIES TO BE SCRAPPED.
NO MANUFACTURE OF TRADE ARTICLES.
Sir Eric Geddes, speaking at the meeting of the Associated Cham- bers of Commerce at the Con- naught Rooms recently, referred to the State factories, and explain- ed the Government policy.
He knew it was feared, he said, that the Government proposed to embark on industrial ventures, but there was no foundation for that. The Cabinet had decided that it would manufacture. in national factories no article requiring sales organisation.
A certain number would be retained purely for munition and special Government purposes, and obviously there must be a larger number than the normal und peace was signed, bacausa we did not know what the terms would be or what the amount of arma- ments was to be in the future.
There was no intention of re taining them for the manufacture or sale of trade articles, Some of i the factories were being sold to industrial concerns, co-operativa societies, trade unions-if they wanted to take up manufacture --and local authorities for their authorised undertakings.
ANOTHER FOR SALE.
Another national factory, the seventh since the armistice. is announced for sale. This is the projectile works a Birtley. Durham, with an area of builds ge of 541,602 square feet, 40 se of a total length of 27,438fnd standing on a site occupying 52
acres.
More national factories will come into the market during the next few months as these are. released from war production, and all of them, a Daily News re- presentative understands, will be advertised for sale. Though some of them will take several months to convert to peace industry, there is a good demand among manufacturing firms for ready- bailt works, in view of the present cost of construction aud the difficulty of obtaining labour and building materials.
The policy of the Government, it is stated, is to retain a reserve of these factories, with their staffs until the European sifta- tion is definitely cleared up and peace secured. The extent of this reserve, it is understood, will depend upon the strength of the army which it is found necessary to retain, but this does not mean that all surplus factories above this margin will be sold, because a number will be as warehouse and storage depots. Even the future of the Gretna works and plants is not yet decided.
Mean while discharges of work- people, it is stated, are being delayed as much as possible on the completion of contracts which it is found cheaper to execute în their entirety than to serap, in order to create the least amount of unemployment and distress.
CUNARD AT ANTWERP.
The Cunard Line is reported to be contemplating the installa tion at Antwerp of new Transatlantic service. It is sug- gested that the Cunard Line should be offered the reversion of the North-German Lloyd's pre- war quays. The report is hailed with enthusiasm in Belgian commercial circles, which ara most anxious to secur the earlist - revision of Y Scheldt regime and the restoration of Antwerp to its old position among the world's premier ports, A step in this direction is, the Belgian Relief Commission's decision to make Antwerp. instead of Rotterdam, its port of discharge and supply. During the week arrivals at Antwerp included several British steamers among which was the Maryle- bone, conveying the British Cou- sul-General, Bir Cecil Bertalet. and several representatives of Britisk shipping interests. While Belgium at present reserves to herself a free hand in regard to her commercial policy. she desires the unrestricted enlargement of all economie: relations with Great Britain, the re-opening of “communications with which is eagerly awaited. The stabilisation of Belgian ex change on London is welcomed as an indication of British sympath- les, and a generous estimate of future prospects. There is réson to believe that the Bri authorities propose enlar the scope, of our "Cimanisto sentation in Bel-inmis
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