A BRIBE FOR ITALY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 7, 8 January 1916, Page 4

A BRIBE FOR ITALY.

It is well known that before Italy entered into the war on the eide of the Entente Powers, Germany made desperate efforts to secure her assistance by the simple expedient of offering 'lie Italians large areas of territory now owned by Austria or claimed by Serbia and Greece. The rulers of Italy, to their credit, withstood these solicitations; but there was still a chance that the Italians would be content to fight for their othi "unredeemed", provinces, and might regard a campaign in the Balkans as entirely outside their sphere. It ie therefore no surprise to learn that juet before Italy agreed Avith Britain and France to send an expeditionary force to the Balkans Germany returned to the charge, and renewed the offers that had failed to induce Italy to keep out of the war. If Italy would only make a separate peace with the Central Powers she might have the Trentino and letria, all the territory that she ie now shedding her best Wood to win, along with portions of the Adriatic coast; and the security of her coloniee wae also to be guaranteed. No doubt the Germane, with their usual inability to understand the nature and the motives of men of a different type from themselves, believe that it would still be possible to bribe Italy into breaking faith with her friends, and betraying the cause of the Allies for her own material profit. But as might have been expected by all men not absolutely blind to the conception of loyalty and honour that Germany has worked bo hard to destroy, thie infamous proposal wa» unhesitatingly rejected. Happily for his own people and for Europe King Victor Emmanuel beare no resemblance to Kaiser Wilhelm, morally or intellectually, and Signer Salandra and Baron Sonnino, who brought Italy into line with the Entente Powers, do not share Bethmann-Hollwecre cynical views about "scraps of paper." Italy will be true to herself and the cause she hae pledged her honour to uphold. It is significant that Germany, not yet bereft of all her , illusions, etill believes that it may be

possible to break up the Entente by treachery and corruption. But the renewal of her appeal to Italy after all the humiliating rebuffs she experienced before, is a sign and a measure of the desperation that impels her to resort to so hopeless an expedient as this to diearm her foee, and to wrest victory even from the very jaws of defeat and ruin.

Following is Mr D. C. Bates' weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day:—"The indications are for southeasterly gale after about 16 hours' backing by south to east. Expect dull weather with much mist and fog in parts. Much rain is to be expected following barometer falling. Sea increasing on the coast. Tides high." The R.M.S. Makura is expected to arrive at Auckland from Vancouver at 8 a.m. on Monday next, when she will berth at the Queen's wharf. She eails for Sydney at 11 p.m. on the same day. The Makura has 146 passengers and 900 tone of cargo for Auckland. Her 630 bags of mail for New Zealand include 185 for Auckland, 225 bags for Wellington, and 220 bags for other parts of New Zealand. The Manuka, which arrives in Wellington on Monday has 74 bags of Australian, 57 European and 7 bags Egyptian mail for Auckland. This should arrive here on Tuesday.

Xhe following arrangements have been made for the departure of troops for Trenthara and Tauherenikau on Tuesday next. Eighty-one soldiers from Auckland and 43 from Frankton will leave for Tauherenikau by the 12.40 p.m. train on Tuesday. By a special train for Trentham at 2.50 p.m., 193 men from Auckland, 104 from Hamilton and 105 from the Paeroa district will leave for camp. The 5.50 express train on Tuesday night v.ill carry 104 men from Auckland for Trcntham and five men from Frankton. The platform will be closed from 150 p.m. until after the troops have boarded the train, when it will be thrown open to relatives and friends.

"•Those who remember the old coaching days, when Cobb and Co. was the only means of inter-communication throughout New Zealand, will not have forgotten the excellent service provided by Messrs Shepherd and Young, first between Wellington and Wanganu-, and subsequently right on to New Plymouth after the conclusion of the Maori war. Among the best known and most capable of the firm's "whips" was Mr W. K. Carter, an Australian Jehu of considerable . repute. Mr Carter is etill living and fairly hale and hearty, considering his advanced years, having reached Ms 91et year last November. Mr Carter lives at Cambridge and is full of reminiscences of the exciting daye of the early Victorian gold fields.

During the month of December the following cases of 'infectious diseases have been notified to the District Health Officer, Dγ- Hughes: Scarlet fever: City 25 cases, suburbs 37 cases, country districts 6 cases, total 68 case 3. Diphtheria: City 6, suburbs 13, country districts 14, total 33 cases. Enteric fever: City 2, suburbs 1, country districts 31, total 34 cases. Tuberculosis: City 9, suburbs 13, country districts 8, total 30 cases. Blood noispnins: Cite' 1. suburbs 1, country PBrlßayl<fl»:s City nil, 'suburbs I,' country districts nil, total 1 case. Cerebro spinal meningitis: City 1, suburbs nil, country districts 1, total 2 cases.

' The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, stated that the control, of the export of crossbred wool or other , material largely required for war purposes rests with the Imperial authorities, who have instructed the New Zealand Government that export to neutral countries must be. prohibited. "We have endeavoured to arrange matters with as little inconvenience as possible to all concerned, but our instructions are definite. Needless to say, I regret the necessity that has arisen for this, but the strong demand and good prices ruling in Britain should ensure satsfactory prices being obtained here. I will endeavour to obtain permission for wool already purchased at wool eales to be shipped, and I do not anticipate much difficulty alx>ut this matter."

An English lady, writing from Paris to her relatives in London, says: "I saw such a pretty scene in the Champs -Elysees a few days ago. Two men, each shorn of a limb and bearing on their chests the War Cross, were sitting on a bench under a gentle cascade of golden leaves from the trees. Two well-dressed children passed in charge of their governess. The little girl, apparently about five or six, climbed on to the knee of one of the war-worn heroes and implanted a kiss upon hie brow. The little boy took his hero for a walk up the avenue, and proudly held two fingers of the right hand that was guiding the crutch. When boy and soldier had returned to the *base' there was a solemn exchange of addresses. The little incident was the delight of a email crowd which gathered. The luxurious clothing of the children and the soiled 'appearance of the two wounded men formed a etriking contrast, and a charming illustration of the 'eaered union , animating all classes in. France." Professional jealousy led to a fight be tween two notable actresses behind ttu scenes and subsequently on the stage Oi the Romeo Theatre, Madrid, on the nighi of November 6. "La Argentinita," ?w artist who has distinguished herself ir imitations of other well-known perform ers, was giving an imitation of Kaque Meller, another favourite actress, whi happened at that moment to be anion; the audience. Taking umbrage at tin imitation, Senorita Meller, leaving he ■ seat, proceeded behind the scenes am . dealt "La Argentinita" a violent blov ,in the face. The actress returned blov for blow, and the curtain being raised a ' that moment the unusual spectacle o ' two famous artists buffeting each othe i on the stage was witnessed by the aston • ished audience, who, at first imaginin- , the scene formed part of the per formance, applauded vociferously. When • however, "La Argentinita" fell" heavil; to. the stage and blood was seen to bi 1 trickling down her cheeks, the enthn ! siasm pave place to loud cries of indigna . tion. The nest moment the curtain wai >' lowered, and the theatre cleared forcibl; Iby the police. "La Argentinita," wh'< • had fainted, was carried off the stage ! and her aggressor was arrested. Botl ' had suffered considerable personal in i jury.

An incident, not without its humorous side, occurred in Wanganui. An old lady stepped in front of a young fellow of most powerful build and about 15 stone, who was in mufti, and said: "Young man, why are you not at the front?" The question rather nettled the young man, but he thought he would give a polite answer to the old lady, and, stooping down, remarked: "I do not mind giving you my reasons for not enlisting, my good lady—l am frightened!" This candid admission quite nonplussed the old lady, and she moved away without being able to find words to retort.

Without waiting for official recognition, 5,000 French women have formed themselves into a voluntary corps. Their work consists of Cooking, laundry for the troops, dispatch riding, and Bed Cross duties. Their working costume consists of a tunic designed on British rather than on French lines, riding breeches, puttees, and a large felt hat with a leather strap under the chin. The Newmarket railway workshops are said to have the beet-equipped blacksmith's shop in Australasia. During hi 3 visit yesterday afternoon the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries) commented favourably on the equipment. The Minister also approved of proposed extensive improvements in the general arrangements of the workshops, hut remarked that the time for carrying the scheme into effect would be dependent upon the effect of the war upon the finances of the Dominion. An "old boy" of Auckland Grammar School, who writes from the Egyptian camp of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, has found hie knowledge of French most useful, especially in the market places of Cairo. One evening he was hailed from the door of a curiosity shop by some comrades who were unable to make the attendants—a man and his wife—understand that one of the number required a leather band for his wristlet watch. The French which had been learned in Auckland served the purpose admirably; but a difficulty then arose. The purchaser remembered that his money was tucked away in a leg-belt, and his native modesty suggested that madame should be asked to retire while he extracted the wherewithal. To the polite intimation of the interpreter, however, madame replied that it was quite unnecessary for the young soldiers to distress themeelvesj for she was not likely to be shocked by a moderate display of bare leg. In the merriment that followed the "EX..O.V realised that Cairo ways were different from Auckland ways. A popular young Actress who has just returned from touring the provinces (says London "Opinion") tells a good story about her efforts at recruiting meetings in some of the towns ehe visited. Her eloquence always proved so irresistible that almost before the last words of a speech had left her lipa at least two would-be recruits invariably rushed forward with dramatic effect. True, they were only the baggage man of her company and his assistant, both medically .unfit, but as their example was often followed by several eligibles, the fair conspirator insists that the ruse was j more than justified. According to the Waitara paper, Mr. J. C. Hewson, of Auckland, who was elected to the position of secretary of the Waitara Harbour Board, wired on Wednesday that he was unable to take the position, and members of the Board were called together to make another choice. After going through the list again, the name of Mr. F. R. Bridges, who has been with the Napier Harbour Board for five years, was picked out, and a resolution appointing him was carried. Mr. Bridges is a married man, aged 26 years, and* previous to joining the Board at Napier was connected with the New Zealand Express Company and New Zealand Carrying Company. -jAm incident-* unprecedented in London the hall of the Ancient Scottish Corporation in Grane Court, Fleet Street. The occasion was a.recruiting addressed by the Secretary for' Scotland to inspire the remaining Scots in London. A Teal fiery cross was shown, cut from the old tree at Fortingall, in Perthshire, where the fiery crosses of the turbulent Highland days were got. The fiery cross had to be blooded as well as the blood for the symbol in November, 1915, was taken from a goat which was the mascot of a London Territorial regiment. It is strange to think that an ancient Celtic rite was thus carried out in London, attended by its original significance in the. twentieth century. Commonplace events sometimes lead to important results. Writing to a gentleman who is at present visiting Wellington, a lady correspondent in London relates the following incident:—"The other day a lady went to Victoria station to meet a train of wounded, and as the train came in the crowd made a rushand she was thrown against a British Staff officer in full rig, scarlet tabs, and all. She trod on his toe and he said 'Gett in Himmel. , She immediately got out of the crowd and pointed him out to a policeman, and the officer was arrested. A few days later she received a cheque for f 100 from the War Office, and a note to say that at the close of the war she would hear what good service she had done her country." "Since hearing this,' : naively adds the correspondent, "I've had much ado to refrain from kicking any sufficiently important-looking officer I've come across!" Messrs Upton,' Watson and Kane directors of the Bank of New Zealand arrived in Whangarei yesterday, vis Helensville arid Northern Wairoa;* Thei left by motor car for a tour of thi Ma'ngakahia, and to-day went on ti Kaikohe, at which place it has been de cided to erect up-to-date bank premise in brick. From Kaikohe the party wfl proceed to Hokianga and finally back t< Russell. The tour is being undertake! with a view of studying the possibility of the North. Mr A. R. Crane, of Wha ngarei, i≤ accompanying the directors oi their trip. Notwithstanding the horrors of wa, at her very doors, and the burden o caring for 300,000 ielpless Belgian r« fugees, Holland has gone to the rescu of the bird species of her East India possessions that were being killed an sold for millinery purposes. It appear that throughout the whole of her vac island empire in the Malay 3000 miles long by 1000 miles -wide, a bird species save three are now absc lutely prohibited against the feafehe trade, with a probability that eventuall no exceptions will be made.

The latest sporting and war news will be published as usual in the 8 o'clock edition of the "Star" to-night, which, in addition to the customary sporting features, will contain the opening article of a series of talks on cricket by Mr S G Smith, ex-captain of the Northamptonshire County eleven, and at present a resident of Auckland and a playing member of the Ponsonby Cricket Club. A resident of Wellingten who has just returned'from a vis* to the Motueka and Eiwak-a districts, stated that on present indications the coming season as far as fruit is concerned, promises to be an exceptionally good. one. It is rather early as yet to say what the prospects are for the hop season, but it is anticipated that the crop this year will be well up to the U3ual mark. He further states that he has seldom seen the countryside looking better or more prosperous than it doe* at the present time. The Pacific Ceble Board anonunces the temporary wspeneion of the deferred system. Traffic for the United Kingdom at the deferred rate will not be accepted via Pacific in the meantime.

The Panama Canal is apparetly Bat ' an unmixed blessing. In the ophuo n ot the Federal Director of Quarantine, the opening of the canal has subjected Auj. tralia to a wider risk of the introduction of yellow fever than had previously existed, and he considers that the danger '' is sufficiently real to justify all precautionary measures against vessels arriving in Australia from places oi- the Pacific Coast. "The most important aspect of the yellow fever far as Australia is concerned," says Dγ Cumpston, '"is that all steps should be taken to reduce the local mosquito poto-. lation. It does not require a particularly lively imagination to visualise the effect of the introduction of yellow feveinto a -uty like Brisbane, where the Stegomyia mosquitoes are numerous The disease is generally difficult to diagnose with certainty, particularly in the early stage, and this is the stage" when it :' ie infectious. The possibility tnat yellow fever may be carried to Australia direct from these endemic foci must be reco"niscd. A greater danger, however, exists by reason of the prospect of one' of the ports adjacent to Australia becoming iafected and acting as a relay station for"Australia." Dr Cumpston approves of ». suggestion that there should be an Intel- - ligence officer trained in sanitary admin- v istration stationed at Panama to act k ; outpost of Australia and Asia, and that the New Zealand and Commonwealth authorities should combine and station an officer in Samoa or- Tahiti should it t appear, as time goes on, that vessels coming to the Dominion or the Common- i wealth from America were making those-, places regular ports of call.

The building operations of a "city constitute a barometer by which to jjauie the ebb and flow of its prosperity. Three years before the war Sydney was feeling "the effects of a wave of prosperity that was sweeping over the State, and tie. influx of population that followed made ' house-hunting a strenuous and disap-v pointing occupation, (says a Sydney.' paper). A building boom was soon" in full swing, and in nearly every suburj new houses sprang up like mushroom:'. This activity in the building trade ' reached high-water mark in July, 1914, when the erection of 1026 new hoises was commenced. This is a record for any one month in Sydney and suburbs War was declared at the beginning of : the following month, and the number of new premises placed in the builders' : hands at once dropped to 492. There was fi a revival at the beginning of the year, and the number of new buildings started , continued to increase until the end of v June. Since then building operations have eaeed considerably, November and\ December being the slackest months. The New South Wales Minister of Lands has in hand a scheme for providing farms for returned soldiers. The de- I ■ails of the proposal have not yet been decided upon, but it is understood that the Minister will follow somewhat the : lines of the Bill recently adopted by the South Australian Parliament. The South Australian measure provides for the establishment of practical training camps, so that the men may gain experience and so that it may be decided whether or not they are capable of going on tfie> land. Suitable applicants are to'be set:; > tied upon reclaimed irrigation areas, and; assistance is to be afforded by equipping,;'' fencing*-'and the\ holding, and erecting buildings. It.Vy probable that implements, seed ani .j lucerne plants will also"ber prevailed, 'i "A "serious "accident occurred to-day iij Ralph's mine, "Hiiritly, JEvaa>\ Bry-vt ant being injured by a fail', of' coal. He was hit on. the-; right side of the head, and also "sustained.. a severe wound on the crown of the head reaching to the bone. He is suffering' from shock. Captain Fleming, the, local superintendent of mercantile marine, has for-: warded to the head office of the ' Shipwrecked Mariners' Society at Dunedin. the sum of £11 7/, collected at the Auckland office. It may be mentioned' that the late Sir Joshua W'ijliams was the president of the society from the time of its inception until when he .left Kew Zealand. An alarm of fire was given fxomLaidlaw Leeds, Ltd., at 7.40 a.m. to-day. The City Fire Brigade turned out promptly A quantity of rubbish in a cellar had ; be^ ';■ come ignited, and almost immediately the "sprinkler' system installed in the building came into operation. The fire; I: was thus extinguished without the aid V of the brigade. The biggest bargains yet. Job dinner * sets and toilet sets at slaughter pricia to clear.—Tonson Garlick Co., Ltd. (Ad.)