, 1916-12-20

be rejected without examination and refec-
ton. 1t is possible that some means may be
taken to ascertain "a little more definitely the
temper of the Allies towald peace proposals
before the Preslden acts, but it is under
stood there will be no delay in forwarding
the German note to the Foreign BeIligerent
Capitals.
London, Dec. 14th.-A supplementary
estimate issued today prov de- for an adGi-
tiOual l, 900, 600 men Of all ran ks for the army
service during the present financial year.
The original estimate was for 4 ,O00, 600 men.
In moving q vote OF credit for GA, 000. 600 in
the House of Commons today Mr.. Bonar
Law decided to contine his speech entirely
to the financial side Of the war, and III the
absence of the Premier aud Mr.. Asquith
owing to illness it is expected the debate
would be merely along this live. The proLo-
sal of the Central Powers had not been re-
ceived at the Foreign Office this morning and
it is understood simply to offer negotiations
containing no terms, the consultation Of the
Entente Allies regarding 1t are expected to be
purely formal preliminary TO the transmission
OF a Joint reply, in auy event Great Britain
will make no official comment until Russia,
France and her other Allies express
their views. Toda"'e vote of credit is the
fourteenth since the outbreak of the war,
bringing up The total for the present fiscal
year to 81, $50, COO, 900 aud the grand total
for the war to 93, 532, 00O, 600.
Amsterdam, December 14th.-A Vienna
despatch says Emperor Charles has issued
the following to his army and navy. "WIth
Gods gracious assistance and your loyal
Allies endurance, we have created a situation
in which our final victory is no longer
doubtful. In an endeavour to give back to
L, 4~.1 - Il - :- ~ I.lJ
out heroically the blessings of peace, [
and my illustrious Allies have attempted to
bring about an honorable pence. | pray
that the Almighty may bestow His blessings
on this step, but / am convinced you will
continue to fight with tho same heroism
until peace is concluded, or the enemy is
beaten crushingly.
Petrograd, Dec. l4th-The semi official
News Agency announces that N. Pokrovsky,
Controller of the Empire, has been appointed
Foreign Minister. NJ. PoErovsky was APP
pointed Controller of the Empire on Febru-
airy 9Th 1916. He was formerly a Member
of the Imperial Council.
Halifax, N. s.. Dec. 15th-H. MS. torpedo
boat Grilse is safe, but Six of her gallant
crew have been drowned. at haIf-past ten
O'Clock last night she arrived in Shelbourne
under her own power and able to make eight
knots. Bad weather was encountered on
Monday night, and i was decided that it
would be advisable to put to. Shelburne for
shelter. AS night advanced the storm be-
came more severe. The Grilse began leak
ing aud commenced to settle dangerously by
the head. Tremendous seas piled over the
little craft, smashing her matches aud food
ing her engine rooms. The Grilse carried
three boats Two of these were smashed and
carried away, her life-rafts also washed
adrift. Hope was given up and while power
remained the wireless flashed out S. o. s..
signals and the news that the vessel was
sinking. By this time she had reached
what they thought was the latitude and
longitude sent out in the final calls.
1t was evident that there was some iEaccur-
acy, and the Grilse had not reached quite
SO far to the n%orthward as the waters search
ed by the vessel which rushed to her assis-
tance. Helplessly the torpedo-boat drifted
before the sixty mile an hour gale, but to
the surprise of those on board, kept above
water. A tremendous sea smashed on board
destroying the deck house and carrying away
the main mast and the wireless outfit became
. hopeless wreck. Shortly after midnight
the storm somewhat abated, and although
the steamer settled heavily by the head, it
was evident when DAYLIGHT came that her