GENERAL ITEMS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2732, 31 May 1915, Page 2

GENERAL ITEMS.

Paris, May 30,

Two Taubes bombed St. Mark's Square in Venice, but the bombs fell into the water. = The artillery drove off the Taubes.

Rome, May 29

The Pope's letter to Cardinal Vanuutelli is published by the Osservatore Romano. After complaining that his voice in favour of peace had been unheeded by the belligerents he deplores that the conflagration has extended to our beloved -Italy. Ho points out tho necessary efforts for relief of the wounded and prisoners, and exhorts all Catholics to practise a three days' strict Ecclesiastical fast. Ho accords plenary indulgence, applicable to souls in purgatory, and adds: "Wo wish the echo of our voice might reach all our children afflicted by the scourge of war and persuade them of our participation in* their sorroivs and troubles."

Melbourne, May 30. Though the authorities aro making every endeavour to expedite the Dardanelles casualty lists, the indications are that they arc far in arrears. While the local lists total 4539, Sir George Reid's cables state that the Australian casualties include 550 dead and 5200 wounded.

Speaking at a London function, Sir Gcorgo Reid said be was glad to say that General Birdwood's head wound was not serious. Beyond this there has been no information received in Melbourne that the commander of the Australasians had been wounded.

Senator Pearee announces that Colonel MeCay, second in command of the Australian forces at the Dardanelles, has been wounded above the knee. The wound is not serious, and the Colonel is expected to resume duty again shortly.

London, May 29. A Router's telegram from Dedeagatch (via Athens) describes Ell's exploit: While four Turkish transports were embarking troops at the quays adjoining the Tophanes gun factory, tho submarine attacked them. It is presumed that the current deflected the torpedo, which Struck a lighter, blowing it to atoms, and holed the German steamer Stainbul, causing it to be beached. The raid caused a great panic. All the shops were closed-and the troops disembarked. There is jubilation in Germany at the sinking of the Triumph. Captain Persius, a German naval authority, writing in the Tageblatt, hints that the submarine torpedoing the Triumph travelled from the North Sea to the Dardanelles.

The Berliner Zeitung'forecasts that the Allies will be unable to maintain the Dardanelles campaign. It asserts that the British losses at Ari Burnu were so heavy that they were compelled to ask for time to bury the dead.

Rio de Janeiro, May 30. Tho Gazette Denoticias says there is a widespread plot in Southern Brazil, where, there is a largo German colony. Supplies and arms had been collected at Annitopolis. It was intended to proclaim the independence of the State of Santa Marina, but the outbrea kqf the war upset the plans. The Brazilian Government notified the German Minister of the plans. i

Paris, May 30. Official: We carried the whole of the village, which was ablaze, after very hot fighting, annihilating or putting to flight three German companies. Fighting continues at Neuville. Wo. captured a fresh, group of houses on the western outskirts. We brought down near Thiancourt an aeroplane. English aviators blew up an ammunition depot at Poelcapellc. A hundred Germans were killed and 75 wounded. N

Gtsborne, May 30

The Gisborno Carnival Queen election concluded 'on Saturday night. No Jess than 2,647,209 votes were recorded, realising the huge sum of £22,0G0 Is 6d, which is claimed to be a-New Zealand record. In addition to this, tho festival held in His Majesty's Theatre in conjunction with the Carnival realised about £2000. Coronation Day is fixed for Thursday next, and a big sum is anticipated during the ensuing days. All this is for the patriotic fund. Dunedin, May 30. A troopship is expected to arrive at Port Chalmers to-morrow from Egypt with 139 invalided soldiers. It is understood that there are 91 special cases, and these will bo placed in hospital on Quarantine Island.

TO-DAY'S WAR NEWS.