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GENERAL NEWS NOTES OF THE DAY. The American note to the belligerents is still the dominating feature of the news in Great Britain. It even overshadows dispatches from the battle fronts and discussion of the gov- ernments program for organizing the entire coun- try for war purposes. Practically all the news- papers continue to devote leading articles to the note, while British, French, German and other com- nient is prominently displayed under such headings as "Lansings Verge of War Blunder," "The Snare of Peace" and "Wilsons Mistake." It is recognized in official circles that a formal polite reply is due President Wilson, and this, it is said, will be drafted after consultation with Great Britains allies. Like his uncle, the late Lord Salisbury, Foreign Secretary Balfour is a masterly dispatch writer. This was displayed in the communications written by him when he was first lord of the admirality in refutation of various German statements. The eight-hour day, with straight pro-rata time for overtime, was granted to the Switchmens Union by the federal arbitration board in a decision yesterday in the switchmens controversy with the railroads. The award gives an increase of five cents per hour for both foremen and helpers. The switchmen bad asked an advance of ten to twelve cents. They had demanded also time and a half pay for overtime work instead of the pro-rata basis fixed by the board. An Overseas News Agency statement of Saturday says: French court-martial have sentenced to deatli two more women one. Dusays by name, born in Calais of a German mother and a Luxemburg father; the ither a widow named Tichelly, of Swiss nationality. Both were accused of giving information to Germany regarding the operations of the French army. Shortage of food, coal and other necessary supplies lias produced a serious situation in Holland, according to a special report from Frank W. Maliin, American consul at Amsterdam, issued Saturday by the department of commerce. The cost of living, it is declared, lias soared to great heights. Tlie allies answer to Germanys peace proposals is almost finished, according to tlie Petit Parisien. The paper says it is a rather long document and sets forth clearly both the "grievances of the allies anil tlie crushing responsibilities of the central empires." The news service from Berlin yesterday contained a statement that ordinary mail to the United States can shortly be forwarded by commercial submarines. Mail to other neutral countries can also be sent, the statement says, by this route. London newspapers say that the English government is preparing measures for the control of production and sale of alcoholic beverages, which may go as far as absolute prohibition. The Associated Press is advised by its London office that all shipping reports except announcements of casualties, are discontinued by ail official order issued Friday night. The United States new giant battleships will cost .1,000,000 each and have twelve sixteen-inch guns mounted. They will be the largest and most powerful afloat. A deficiency appropriation of 8,400,000 for the army, on account of Mexican border service, was submitted to tlie house yesterday by secretary Baker. . ; ; ; ; ; .
