"PALESTINE NEWS"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 10, 7 October 1918, Page 9

"PALESTINE NEWS"

THE SOLDIERS' NEWSPAPER

, Copies of the "Palestine News," the y/cekly newspaper of ."tho Egyptian Expeditionary Force of the British •Army in occupied enemy territory, are reaching . Wellington reg'iuarly. This' newspaper is- published every Thursday at General Headquarters, Palestino, and it contains official war news, reports'of local happenings, articles on various .subjects by soldiers, and many advertisements. Several of these advertisements announce, that well-known British firms have opened branches in Jerusalem, thus proving that trade sometimes follows the : flag. ■ Several contributions to the "Palestine News" indicate that Jerusalem' has been a disappointment to the soldiers who took it from the Turks with so much courage and dash. . One man puts his complaint into verse: Jerusalem the Golden! So Tn peaceful days, long, long ago Imagination's rosy glow . Portrayed this city. Alas, that we, to my disgust, Should provo that I'd misplaced my trust. Jerusalem is chiefly dust, And far from pretty. ' I even heard, nor deemed it funny, Of vales that flowed with milk and honey; But climbing ridges steep and stony With broken shins; Such welcome streams we've never met, ■?or honey's not on issue yet, ■ And milk from ration dumps we. get, And that's- in tins. Reports of concerts, cricket matches, athletic meetings, and race meetings appear in the "Palestiue News." Mules as well as horses compete at the race' meetings,' and the publication of betting figures shows that the bookmaker, presumably in uniform, is allowed to ply Ilia trade at the meetings. The "Palestine News" has no political opinions, it does not know when tho war is going trt end, and it does not undertake to tell its readers just what the various High Commands arc planning and doing. But in spite of theseomissions it is a great boon to the fighting men. ' .