AMERICA GRATIFIED

Evening Star, Issue 15899, 3 September 1915, Page 3

AMERICA GRATIFIED

OYER GERMANY'S BACK- ' DOWN. THE PRESIDENT POPULAR. WASHINGTON, September 2. Count Bernstorff wrote, to Mr Lansing (Secretary of Slate): ," Although I am , a*, are you do not wish to discuss the I Li.eitania question until the Arabic inci- ] cent- has been definitely and satisfactorily cc-tiled, I desiie to inform you of. Ger--1 many's acceptance of the principle, because this policy was decided upon by my Government before the Arabic incident oc-cun-ed "' Tho fact that Count Bernstorff's letter was due to Mr Lansing's request for a written statement is regarded as a proof of President Wilson's insistence upon final and definite assurances concerning the future submarine .policy. Americans'are delighted at the German decision. President Wilson feels that his i patient yet firm attitude has been fully vindicated, and Ministerial circles regard it as a triumph for international law and the rights of humanity. President Wilson's re-election is now believed to be assured. NO ILLUSIONS. NEW YORK, September 2. Tire newspapers express satisfaction, "but much of the comment is ironical, declaring that it must not be construed into. the Kaiser ■ bestowing favors. ' Tlie 'New York Tribune' gays: "Germany is not making a concession or sacri•fices; she is merely forgoing illegal and inhuman _ practices—abandoning a policy of assassination." The ' New York Evening Post' says: "The Germans are abandoning anarchy, believing it the more profitable, and not because they like us." TIRPITZ "OVERWORKED." AMSTERDAM, September 1. Admiral Von Tirnitz is ill through over- ] work, and the doctors have ordered hirn an extended holiday. SIR E, GREY'S HEALTH. LONDON, September .2. Sir E. Grey is taking a holiday. Ho has still to wear colored glasses, because of trouble wilh his eyes. Lord Crewe is acting at the Foreign' Office. AMERICAN EXCHANGE. LONDON, September 1. Further movements are announced in the American exchange, there being a substantial decline of the sovereign to 4dol 48c, recovering to 4dol 53c. Possibly there are more anxious d.iys ahead, but- the. remedy is not, distant/ MUNITION WORKERS. CAPE TOWN. September 2. A _ hundred and iifty-six experienced munition workers are paying or working their passages to England. • THE WAR'S ORIGIN. BELGIAN REVELATIONS. LONDON, September 2. A Belgian ' Grey Book' contains a series of documents showing that Germany and Austria, were plotting for the war. foreseeing a European conflagration, and yet strongly hoping that Great "Britain would remain neutral. M. Beyens, Belgian Minister at Berlin, learning on.August 4 of the intention to_ violate Belgian neutrality, coupled with a hope that no resistance" would be offered, asked Herr Von Jagow if he I had no reply. His only apology was that it was a question of'life or death for Germany. M. Beyens remarked that the whole of Belgium approved of King Albert's and the Belgian Government's reply, adding : , "You must recognise that any other re-I ply was impossible." Herr Von Jagow replied : " I recognise ) it. I understand your reply as a private person,, but as Secretary of State I have no opinion to express." M._ Beyens rejoined : "A nation, like a, private person, cannot live without honor. _ Europe will judge. Moreover, you will have against you England, a faithful guarantor of our neutrality." _ Herr Von Jagow shrugged his shoulders, signifying that either the idea was impossible or else that the die was cast, and said : "We cannot draw back." M. Beyens's despatches show that the prevalent feeling in Berlin was that France had an insufficiency of heavy guns, while Krupp and Von Bohlen described Russia's artillery as far from good or complete. Hence the war-makers had absolute confidence in a swift and easy victory. SOUTH AFRICAN UNITY. - JOHANNESBURG, September 2. -In view of a suggestion that political differences should be set aside and the Unionists support the Ministerialists, Sir Thomas Smartt wrote to Mr ■ Duncan, a member for Fordesburg, agreeing to the necessity for unwaveringly and unstintedly supporting the Government until the final victory is won. THE GAMEROONS. PARIS, September 1. A communique states : The French columns in the South-east Cameroons, advancing towrads Yanide, which is the capital, occupied the station of Dume after two engagements. Our unexpected attack completely surprised the Germans, who abandoned important positions at Ndjassi and strongly-fortified posts between Hondibune and Ngilaboldume, and threw their transport into the river. We seized Abonginbong, the enemy retiring in a northerly direction with a view to organising resistance in the vicinity of Joko. September 2. The French have occupied the island of Rand (?) without resistance, the inhabitants welcoming them. IN FRANCE. CHIEFLY AIR ACTIVITY. PARIS, September 2. A communique states : An enemy aviator bombarded Luneville,- there were some civilian victims. PEGOUD'S DEATH. PARIS, September 2. Official: M. Pegoud died a glorious death. During a plucky fight over Petit Croix, though alone, he daringly attacked a German machine, emptying several belts of. his machine-gun ammunition. A bullet killed Kim instantaneously. His machine fell into our lines. An unofficial account says : " The soldiers watched the fight with growing anxiety, while occasionally, when the positions of the aeroplanes allowed, the German and French guns, joining in the duel, sent shrapnel bursting around the combatants. Suddenly there was a shout of rage from the French trenches. M.- Pegoud's machine dipped and then fell headlong. His body was extricated from the debris."

NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED.

LONDON, September 2. . The second party of New Zealand wounded was passing Portland plac* when Her Majesty the - Queen arrived at the headquarters ' of the Queen's Work for Women Fund. The New Zealanders lined up and gave rousing cheers. They then awaited the reappearance of Her Majesty, who conversed with them for several mhiuteSi

A CORRECTION. LONDON, September 2. Lieutenant A. P. Harding, who was wounded -at the Dardanelles, is not tho well-known international footballer. IN THE ADRIATIC. ITALIAN TRAITORS CAUGHT. ROME, September 2.. A military tribunal at Bari sentenced the captain of a smuggling vessel' to 20 years' imprisonment, and each of the crew to 10 years, for espionage and supplying petrol to Anstrial submarines and aeroplanes on the high seas. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS, DEEDS, NOT WORDS. SYDNEY, September 2. Altogether. five members of ■ the Legislative Assembly have enlisted. Two— Messrs Braund and Larkin—-have been killed, and Colonel Onslow is now at the front. There was a patriotic demonstration in j the House to-day. bidding farewell to the I remaining two—Messrs Fern and Charley. ! DARDANELLES CASUALTIES. SYDNEY, September 2. Killed in Action.—One officer, 143 noncommissioned officers and men (including W. H. LEECHE). " * Died of Wounds.—Two officers and 75 men'(including Lance-corporal M GILL). Died Through Illness. —Two officers and nine men. Wounded.—Four officers, 190 men (including Corporal R. Wynyard, Bugler E. Lingley—the latter in a hospital at London—Driver R. W. Dobinson, in the hospital at Ghezireh). 111.—Eighty men. Missing.—One officer. Captain J. K. Miller, previously reported ill. is out of danger. ■ ' J. Sheehan. previously reported wounded, has returned to duty. whose namea are mentioned are New Zealander.s. GENERAL BRIDGES. MELBOURNE, September 2. Large crowds paid their last tribute to the memory of General Bridges, visitine St. Paul's Cathedral, where tho body was lying in state. WAR LOAN. SYDNEY, September 2. The Mutual Life and Citizens' Insurance Company were the biggest subscribers to. the loan, their contribution beimr £1,000,0,00. FROM THE EAST. MELBOURNE. September 2. Another transport arrived to-day, with 414 nmvounded soldiers, who are'all described as medically unfit. A BRAVE " BANTAM." The shortest soldier in tho French army is Guy Coudert, 3ft 6ia, but eolidly enough huilt to cany a soldier's load. When he presented himself at the recruiting office at "Versailles the surgeon refused to examin him, but latr he was incorporated in th.3 168 th infantry at Lens. He soon earned, the stripes of corporal. OTACO WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION. The above association resumed work at tho Early Settlers' Hall on Wednesday. Preparations are being made for equipping the Otago men in the Seventh Reinforcements. In answer.to an appeal from Lady Liverpool, the executive hope to in a position to supply leather waistcoats for all the Otago men on active service. Tliis, however, will depend on the way the appeal is responded to by the public of Otago and Southland. The cost of a waistcoat is, approximately, ss, and subscriptions for this purpose will be gratefully received at the Early Settlers' Hall. Letters were received by mail yesterday from members of the Fifth Reinforcements who aTe now in the firing line. The following will be read with interest -. — " The Red Sea-, July 21. The Secretary Otago Women's Patriotic Association.—A few days ago the men comprising the Otago Battalion of the Fifth Reinforcements were handed the goods so kindly dona-ted by your association. As one of the recipients, I wish to let your association know that every article contained in the kits is of great value to a soldier, and nothing else could have been more appropriate. Your association have evidently devoted a great deal of time and attention to the needs of our troops, and have used very praiseworthy discretion in deciding what gifts would be most appropriate-. It very often happens that, with the best'of intentions, of course, soldiers are presented with a lot of goods for which they have no legitimate use ; but in the case of tho goods donated by your association I can assure you that every article in the very complete equipment is valuable, and that we all greatly appreciate vour kindness —Yours faithfully, Private E. Lenijiax, 8/2442, Otago Battalion, Fifth Reinforcements." "Red Sea, July 21. Dear Miss Burt.— J must thank you, as secretary of the Otago Patriotic Association, on behalf of D Company, No. 23 Platoon, Fifth Reinforcements. I personally thank you for your kindness to the officers, who were delighted at .the substantial gifts, and who heartily appreciate live thoughtful kindness of the Otago ladies. Our company is really a heterogeneous mixturo of Aucklanders, Hawke's Bay men, Palmerston North men, Otago and Southland men, with a sprinkling of Wellingtonians, West Coasters, etc. There is not one Otago boy in No. 23, but they consider themselves very lucky to get into an Ctago company, especially when they get so liberally treated. The men are greatly delighted with the belts, which they consider much superior to tho ones issued to them. They wear them at night, even in the Reel Sea (sleeping on deck), because the wind blows so strongly. The gi f ts are all, without exception, of great use and comfort to our troops, and they speak well for the good sense of the thoughtful ladies who made up the kit. The tea towel should be of a very valuable nature to them, as probably very few remembered to get ne\r ones.—Yours sincerely, J. i Thompson, lieutenant, D Company." j I PATRIOTIC FUNDS. ! INFORMATION READILY SUPPLIED. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 2. The Minister of Internal Affairs to-night gave information with regard to the schedules which have been forwarded lo mayors, chairmen of county councils, and heads of other bodies connected with patriotic funds. The particulars asked for are as follows:—Name of fund, objects, date of establishment, names - of trustees, president, and treasurer, amounts collected and distributed, and balance in hand. A question was also put as to whether any money had been handed over by other organisations. Mr Russell stated that most gratifying responses had been received from all over, the country. In no case had any objection been made to supplying the information. When the final returns were obtainable it would be seen that an erormous sum had been distributed. For an aeroplane fund recently established m New Plymouth £B6 had been subscribed within a week. WAR PENSIONS. FIRST ALLOWANCE MADE. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 3. The War Pensions Board last night granted the first "pension under the Act passed on August 5. The amount of the pension is £7B per annum, and was jiranted. to ft flarjtiaHy d.is.abled soldier..

.SICK OR WOUNDED SOLDIERS. ! AN INFORMATION BUREAU. I TPer United Press Association,] WELLINGTON, September 2. Tlie Defence Minister has received a cablegram from the New Zealand base at Alexandria stating that it is intended to establish an . information bureau in order that replies to inquiries regarding New Zealand wounded may bo provided in a ■more satisfactory way. Wo have received for the Belgian relief fuud 16s B£d, being the proceeds of a bazaar organised bv a little girl, Annie Pearson, of the George Street School. The bazaar was held at the parents' iesi- £? e ' , Cuml>erlan d street, on Tuesday. The Telegraph Department has a " casualty" notice for Mr Wrn. Brown, next of kin to Lance-corporal George Brown, whose address is given as last heard of in Dunedin. We haov received £1 10s from the Kaitangata. School (per Mr A. Mathews, head master), being the school's twenty-third contribution to the Belgian fund '