MISCELLANEOUS.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 3023, 18 August 1916, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

MILITARY DECORATIONS

" London, August 16. Mr H. AY. Forster, Financial Secretary to the War Office, stated in the House of Commons that more than 8000 Military Medals have been awarded in France alone since the order was instituted in March. Distinguished Conduct Medals have been issued at an average rate of 300 a month.

YON HISSING'S SON CAPTUREI

The French have captured Lieut. Yon Bissing, son of the tyrant of Belgium. He is believed to be identical with the Melbourne Savage Club spy. [General yon Bissing, father of the lieutenant, is the German military governor of Brussels, and was one of the principal figures in the murder of Nurse Cavcll.] OUTRAGE IN MONTENEGRO. :Auutralian-N.Z. Cable Association.] In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil (Under-Secretary to the Foreign Office) said that the Government bad been informed that FieldMarsbal yon AVeber, the enemy Military Governor of Montenegro, had issued a proclamation that unless M. Veshovitch, the ex-AVar Minister for Montenegro, returned and surrendered, M. Veshovitc'h's father and brother would be hanged.

An official newspaper has since an nounced that the brother has beei hanged and the father reprieved.

THE KING AT THE* FRONT

Mr Philip Gibbs writes from the British front: The King witnessed a considerable bombardment on the Ypres salient. There was a great scene of enthusiasm when his Majesty visited the South Africans, who broke into a Zulu .war cry, a. wild barbaric noise. The King was stirred by the tremendous demonstration of loyalty which swept ""about him. The King spoke of Delville AVood, and thanked them for what they had done and suffered. The King decorated the Queen of the Belgians" with the Royal Red Cross, and paid a tribute to her devotion to tbe wounded. His Majesty reviewed the reconstituted Belgian army. Tbe New Zealanders and Canadians also gave the King a great ovation.

BRITAIN'S DRINK PROBLEM London, August 17

The National AA'ar Savings Committee points out that the nation is spending 182 millions on drink, and appeals for a reduction in view of the urgent need for economy. THE GREEK ELECTIONS. Rome, August 17. The Greek elections have been fixed for September 25.

MURDER OF PATRIOTS

(Received August 18, 10.45 a.m.)

Rome, August 17

The Austrians during July executed 808 Servian and Montenegrin patriots.

POLITICAL CRISIS IN TURKEY

The political {situation in Turkey is critical. The Government hanged several lawyers on a charge of conspiring against the Young Turks. They exiled others to Asia. Minor. A BULGARIAN REPORT. Amsterdam, August 17. * A Bulgarian communique states that a violent bombardment took place west and south of Lake Doiran. AYe repulsed attacks on advanced positions on the ,14th and 15th. the enemy was driven back in disorder. INDIGNATION OVER AMERICAN SPECULATORS' REPORTS.

(Received August 18, 9.30 a.m.) New York, Aug. 1.7. There is indignation in Winnipeg regarding American reports that the Manitoba wheat crop was damaged, whereas the damage was confined to the south. Th© yield for the province is little below the average, and Saskatchewan and Alberta will be able to supplement it. A HOLIDAY FOR FATHER. London, Aug. 17. The French AVar Office has decreed three days' leave for every soldier whom his wife presents with a baby. (Received August 18, 10.45 a.m.) DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME IN EAST AFRICA. London, August 17. General Smuts, advancing on the loth from Nguru mountain, overcame slight opposition and reached the junction of the principal tracks to Mrogoro and Kilossa. Our columns are aiow clear of the difficult hilly country, and only 25 miles of open steppe separate us from the Central railway. Colonel Van de A-enter, further Avestward, occupied Mpapua and is moving towards Kilossa. Our naval brigade on the 15th occupied the important military coastal station of Bagamojo, 36 miles northwards of Dares Salaam. j

GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND. Berne, August 17. A wireless message states that commercial negotiations between Germany* and Switzerland have been resumed. The Germans were anxious to reach an understanding before the Allies commenced their general offensive.

TRADE AVITH SAVEDEN RE-

STRICTED

Tho Government has decided to prohibit all exports to Sweden except under the most stringent license. The trouble was iirst brought to a head by a law passed on April 17 prohibiting importers furnishing expprtcrs in United Knigdom with information regarding the disposal of imports. Exporters therefore often had to admit, when challenged by the Customs, that they wore unable to supply this essential information. Britain therefore decided to makee exports to Sweden in future dependent on the production of a guarantee signed by the importer and endorsed by the Swedish Government that tho goods and their product will not be re-exported.

FORTH-CLYDE CANAL BURSTS. (Received August 18, 11.35 a.m.) [Reuters Telegram.] London, August 17. The Forth and Clyde canal burst tbe Clyde bank and great volumes of water poured into the town, flooding the streets to a depth of three feet, and shops, houses, and the shipyards. Exciting scenes occurred. Horsedrawn lorries were used as ferries. The floods are now under control. The damage was heavy but no casualties occurred.

PROGRESS IN MACEDONIA

Athens, August 17

The French occupied two villages in tho region of Ancles and aro progressing in tho neighbourhood of LakeDo i ran.

Australian-N.Z. Cable Association (Received August 18, 11.35 a.m.)

IT DEPENDS ON PEKIN

Tokio, August 17

A regiment of cavalry, three, battalions of infantry and a mixed company have been despatched to Cheng chia Tung from the Japanese garrison. Cabinet discussed the situation. The Foreign Office states that the attitude of Japan will depend on the friendly attitude and co-operation of Pekin.

A POPULAR PROPOSAL

Paris, August 17. The French press approved of Mr Asqu.ilh's proposal that tlie Allies demand reparation for German brutalities.