THE MOTHER COUNTRY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16744, 28 December 1914, Page 7

THE MOTHER COUNTRY

NOTES FROM LONDON. GERMANY DRAWS CONCLUSIONS. "Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. LONDON, December 25. * A Berlin message received in Copenhagen says that tho transponi of British and colonial troops to France is the subject of constant speculation. Germans are frequently discussing tha probable number which it is possible to be brought to tho front. The newspapers romark that lately there has been a considerable increase in freights, believed to be duo to tho extensive transport of British troops, the Government having chartered a great number of steamers. An increase i« also noticeable to remote oversea ports, and the conclusion is drawn that the | transport of troops from far distant colonies is anticipated. CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE TROOPS. LONDON. December 26. Butchers purchased two of th« lung.s prize beasts and despatched them to the front for tho Christmas dinner. AMERICAN SYMPATHIES. LONDON, December 25. Sir Wilfrid Laurier states that feeling in America in favour of the. Allies is stronger than Euiopo is aware. QUIET CHRISTMAS IN BARRACKS LONDON, December 25. Christmas leave consistent with'military requirements has been granted to the new but thcro is an entire absence of festivity and decorations at barracks. IN ANTWERP. LONDON, December 25.* The vessels sunk by the Belgians in the river at Antwerp have been raised. The Germans are confiscating material and are also Dreventing from crossing tho frontier. BASKETS OF BANKNOTES. LONDON, December 25. Madunio Vsuiderville, wife of a Belgian Mmis+er, spoko in New York on behalf of Belgian relief, and met with an enthusiastic reception. . The collection resulted in five largo baskets piled with bank notes. ' GERMANY'S AMMUNITION. LONDON, December 25. • The issue of tho "North German Gazette" for December 12 has been confiscated, .because it published resolutions of the Brandenburg Chamber of Agriculture stating that a shortage of saltpetre was imperilling the production of ammunition and explosives. GERMAN ACTIVITY IN CHINA. According to news from Pekin ierman .consular officials in tho' Kwangtung and -Kensu provinces are inciting the Buddhist leaders to causo trouble on tho Russian and British borders. FIGHTING ON ORANGE RIVER. ' A message from Pretoria states, that an outpost affair occurred ;ic Gudon's Drift on the Orange River. The Germans retired.