WAR JOTTINGS

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15243, 3 April 1915, Page 7

WAR JOTTINGS

A New York business man, who makes periodical visits to New Zealand, writing on February 13th to the head of a commercial house in Christchurch, says:—"l have not read the articles appearing in your papers regarding the U.S.A., but I take it that they soundod liko the reading of tho Riot Act. While you might think there is a cause for it, "let mc assure "you that the distance between this country and New Zealand prevents you seeing and hearing all the fine points which this country is doing for the Allies. Tho publicity which is given to the nois—jYhich the two pro-German papers are making is tho fault of tho pro-Allios journals, because they translato w-hat those papers say in German into English, and if it were not for that, nobody would know what they are saying e_copt their small- followers. Tho vast majority of tho American nation is on tho side of tho Allies, and had it not been for the belief in Washington that President Wilson will be called upon to act as peacemaker when the time is ripe, protests would have been made by the Government in regard to unfortunate Belgium. As matters stand to-day I don't believo Germany will accept, Wilson, -for they aro very angry that the Administration does- not stop the export of contraband goods, to England and France, as well as Russia. What these countries buy here, and the quantities, you have no idea of, and 1 never would have had, had it not been that a friend of mine from England is at present in Now York doing some of the buying for his house"" in London who receive the contracts from tlie Government. Items liko £100,000 are nothing."

Air B. R. AlcLaren, of Christchurch, has lately received a lotter from his cousin, Air John L. Inglis, president of tho Dunnellon Phosphate Company, Rockwell Florida, U.S.A., who wrote under date February 17th, enclosing a letter from Mr AfcLaren's brother, Air A D. AlcLaren, author of "An Australian in Germany." Air A. D AleLaren was in Germany when war broke out, and this is tho first word his relatives have h,id from him since, although a communication from tho Foreign Office informed them that he was m Berlin. Mr Inglis says: "We are suffering .considerably here on account of the war, as everything We have is shut down, and we are doing nothing whatever. A great' many men are out of employment, and it is hard for the poor 'neoole." Mr A. D. AlcLarcn's letter ."written on the 21st January, is as follows, viz.:—"Will you please tell my relatives that I am still in Berlin and havo nothing to complain of, except that my timo is not so profitably employed "as I should like, and consequently my income is greatly reduced. Still, I am cheerful and my .health is fairly good. Fortunately so far we have had a very mild winter, and this is much in my favour, for I have never taken kindly to the European winter. Accept my "hearty greeting, and give same to * all frionds enquirers. There is no cause for anxiety on my account."

Stoker Lindsay, of H.M.S. Kent, arrived home at Liverpool at the end ot February. He has had some narrow escapes from death. He was in the liner Oravia when 6ho Vas lost in 1911, in tho Olympic when she collided with the ill-fated Hawko, joined the Titanic, but was prevented by illness from goiug on her first and last voyage, was one of the survivors of the Pathfinder when the Germans sank her, and was wounded on the Kent whilst fighting the Germans off the Falklands. Whilst wounded he crawtod along an alley-way and prevented -a German shell exploding. For the latter bit 6"f gallantry ho has been recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal.

A private in tho Seaforth Highlanders writes: —"I always thought that 1 .should funk, the first bullet that whizzed over my head, but I really enjoyed it, especially as our officers are awfully decent to you under fire. They do not consider themselves any better than you are, and nearly always do the most dangerous jobs themselves. Ono German whom young Ti had been potting at, put his head over the trench, and wheii H pulled the trigger be was no more. Tho Germans fixed a gun on our pump where we got the water, and every time the pump-handle rattled there was a bang and a bullet came along. One night we fixed a string to the handle. Wo then stood round the corner of tho houso out of danger and pulled the string. The rounds that the Germans wasted wero awful. Tho bricks of the wall near the pump were chipped to bits. Our captain was highly amused."