WAR ECHOES,

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8462, 30 May 1916, Page 2

WAR ECHOES,

NEWS AND NOTES.

LONDON, April 6. The Holborn Maternity Centre held a baby show at the Holborn Borough Council offices yesterday, when among the prizes was a knitted wool coat and bonnet made by a mother 1 in New Zealand, and sent for the baby oi a soldier's wife in the Holborn centre. ■ As so many ; soldiers' wives with thenbabies were present, the gift was presented to a soldier's widow, whose husband had been killed at the front only two months ago. New Military Medal. In order to signify appreciation of acts of gallantry and devotion to duty performed by non-commissioned officers and men of the army in the field, the King has instituted a new silver medal. It will be designated "The Military Medal," and it is ordered that it shall bear on the observe the Royal Effigy, and on the reverse the words ' For Bravery in the Field," encircled by a wreath surmounted by the Royal Cipher and a Crown; that the names of those upon whom the medal is conferred shall bo published in the London "Gazette"; and that a• register shall be kept in the. office of the Secretary of State for War; that the Military Medal shall be worn immediately before all war medals on the left breast pendant from a.ribbon of "one inch and one quarter in width, which shall be in colour dark blue, having m the i centre three white and two crimson stripes alternating.

The Comforts "Pool.;' Colonel Sir Edward Ward, DirectorGeneral of Voluntary Organisations, announces that the demands made by officers commanding units overseas upon the Comforts Pool have been very heavy. Owing, however, to the organisation of voluntary associations throughout the country all demands for warm comforts have been met, but large supplies of cigarettes, . tobacco, pipes, and similar articles are still required. It is hoped that any association providing comforts for regiments which is not already consigning its gifts to the "pools" in the various theatres of war will now affiliate under the scheme. The Department has also responded to requests from offieers-in-charge of army hospitals, both at Homo and abroad', for hospital comforts and surgical dressings, and in addition has made gifts to "the military hospitals and canteen depots of Allied countries.

„ 24-Hour Clock. Since Sir John French has been responsible for the Home Defences he has introduced the 24-hour clock-time system into his Department, thus following the example of the Indian and some Continental railway systems. There is now no danger of confusing ante with post meridian hours. One o'clock is 1 o'clock in the morning, 12 o'clock is noon, and 24 o'clock is imdnifht. An order issued at 6 p.m. is timed .18 hours, and there is no possibility of mistaking the actual time-or the order. ,

Moewe's Prisoners. The Imperial Merchant Service Guild complains that Germany has contravened The Hague Convention by detaining as prisoners of war officers and seamen of merchant vessels captured by the Moewo. Lord Robert Cecil oxplains that the Government has failed to arrive at an agreement with the German Government as to the effect of the provisions of The Hague Convention relative to the release of captains, officers, and crews of merchant vessels. Seamen, unless under 17 or over 45 years of age, are not included in the agreements for repatriation made with the German Government, so that there is no prospect of applying successfully to that Government for the release'of Captain Campbell, who was in command of the -West-burn. Lost Airmen. On March 31 some German airmen completely lost their bearings and dropped bombs on the Swiss village of Porrentruy, whereas they thought they were over the French town of Belfort. This is the official German excuse lor the' incident, and the deepest regrets nro expressed to the Federal Council. The German Government, suggested that the authorities of the two countries should try to discover whether it is not possible by means of more visible demarcation of the frontier, or in somo other way, to prevent any repetition of such regrettable incidents. Enemy Children in London. Tho London County Council yesterday dismissed a recommendation of the Education Committee that the children of subjects of countries with which Great Britain is at war be not eligible for" scholarships, exhibitions, or other awards offored by the council. Mr Johnson moved to refer back this paragraph. He thought,we had got beyond the doctrine of visiting the sins of fathers on the children. He was nshamed of a committee who would make such a recommendation. The Rev. J. Scott Lidgett, who seconded tlie motion, said that in such a rule there would be danger of grave injustice. Every case should bo considered on its merits. There wore subject's of '. alien Powers, such as Bohemians, Poles, etc., who had lived in London year after year for the sake of freedom. Mr J. W. Gilbert (the chairman of tho committee) resented the imputation that the committee 1, wished to war against children. The recommendation was rid opted by 37 vottss to 22, but Mr Gilbert accepted a suggestion to add I:ha words " Unless on a particular occasion the Education Committee sees reason to depart from the ruin."