OVERNIGHT NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 15 January 1916, Page 5

OVERNIGHT NEWS.

THE BALKANS. MONTENEGRIN. RESISTANCE. OVERWHELMED BY NUMBERS. ROME. Jan. 1-1. The 'Tribuna' states,;' "There are ftfVXX) ■ Austrian* at "Cattaro" (rhe Aiutrftin seaport, and the commercial outlet of Montenegro) and also the entire fleet. "The Austv-ians mounted 12-in truus on Mount O/ovnatz, and the fleet bo:rbatded Mount' Lovttdien with GO 12m gans. The infantrv delivered a frontal attack. The Montenegrin resistance was epic, 1, hut their forces were too inferior in number.. ' - *'The Montenegrins am now concentrating their uelVnce at Rieka {.-ouMi of Cettinje).}' * ■ SUCCOR NOT POSSIBLE. CAPITAL'S DAYS NUMBERED. PARIS. Jan. 11. It is impossible to succor or roviet n.ii the .Montenegrin Army, and Oeiiinj..-'-, Cthe capital) days are numbered. IN THE LINE OF THE BULCARS. RAILWAY BR-TDC-E DESTROYED. SALONK'A. Jan. II The French destroyed a -.big railwiu bridge at- .Demirhissar icon the raiKva.lino rutuiintr east, from Sal.mica t r > TXrdeagatch).

THE OCCUPATION OF CORFU. INTONATION' IN GERMANY, j AMSTERDAM, Jan. 11. \ The occupation of Corfu* has • caused • tremendous indignation in Oorman.v. and is regarded p.i a persona] in.-mli to the ,Kaiser, who has protested to King Constantine. " Tho Kaiser has a palace at. Corfu which the Allies tire using as a liospi tal. j A FRENCH REPORT. PARIS, Jan. I.V 'Le PQtit Journal' ,declares that a! desperate assault ou salonica is pending, and that- three large enemy ar-j jines have alreadv concentrated. The] "Bulgarian strength is 1 80,000 alread\ "iHObilised and"6o,ooo now being mobilised. * . , 'Casualties* and the troops required for garrison duty together amount to •J ,10,000, and.thu>.will reduce their available field forces to :if>o,ooo men. GERMANY AND THE WAR. THE KAISER WORSE. SISTER CALLED FROM GREECE. ROME, Jan. 14. It -is stated bv neutral source*; that the 'Kaiser is wo'rse. Two doctors who were j%<-the\ eastern ! front have been summoned 10 Berlin. The -German press is significantly silent in regard to the Y wircles* message ftat.--s that the Queen of Greece .'the Kaiser's sister) has been summoned to the Kaiser's bedside and is expected • to leave for Berlin immediately. OPENING OF PRUSSIAN DIET. GERMANY'S DETERMINATION. / Z'AMSTERDAM, Jan. 13.

■Dr Von Bethvnann Hoilweg (Chancellor) in opening the Prussian Diet on l>p-hAlf of the Kaiser, said, ."Sanguinnrv -lightin<t still continues. Our enemies, who forced t* e war upon u•, are responsible-for the fact that the European p&.ptes are -still tearing themselves- to pieces. Providence i fi placing the iron teet upon our people. "Ou»- ; enemies' project of wearing us down by cutting us- off from the oversens markets, has failed. Our own agriculture is feeding the population, our o«'a industries.are providing means for "''defence,'', and our economic life ha.- been jnaintai'nfMl:despite the war's calamities. • -, OTe of'indescribable magnitude and heroism: With our allies.we have held our-trrpund against'a-world of enemies

and carried the colors far into enemy territory. The old Prussian spirit of which we are m> proud has proved- inextinguishable and vital, adding immortal glory to the heroism of our lorefat tiers. "We face the future full of confidence in (>od and victory. Our single holy thought is ro give cverything, even to our last resources, to ensure the, nation's, life arid security. "Our general economic condition is unshaken; and Prussian finances- are sound, biii thcii- maintenance requires increased taxes. "The healing of our wounds and the calling forth of a new-life out of our mighty achievements and sacriiicos will be our biggest tsisk«; when a victorious peace has been • .secured. Our entire manhood has been unitedly lighting with brotherly loyalty. What- our enemies call compulsion is liberty based on order." GENERAL NEWS. TURK SUBMARINE DESTROYED. ASHORE IX THB BLACK SEA. PETttOORAI). Jan. 14. Russian torpedo-boats destroyed a Turkish submarine, which is ashore in the Black Sen. BRITISH COMPULSION BILL. TFTE MIXERS' VOTING. LONDON", Jin. 14. Thet voting at the Miners' Conference, was 653.11)0 against compulsion, .'IB,IOO ill favor and 25,249 neutral. The miners' leaders realise that the recorded vote is no criterion of t'>e opinion •if the men. The leaders mostlv favor a ballot to secure a plain "Yes" or •'-No" on tin's all-important problem. ' IN NEW CALEDONIA. EVERY ELICLBLE AT THE FRONT. SYDNEY, Jan. 14. A visitor from New Caledonia stales ihat. every man capable of doing anything whatever has gone to the war. There* are only -women,.children and old men in the streets. Pleasures and sport.s of all kinds have been laid aside. There is considerable depression owing to the falling oil' in commerce and slu-pp/g, but trie miiiin ginditstry has been well maintained. The demand lor nh'kel is greater 'than ever lor the manufacture >l" munitions. LABOR AND RECRUITING. MEI.nOI-n.VE. Jan. It. Hon. W. M. Hughes (Prune Minister), speaking at a- recruiting meeting. passionately denounced the foul parasites who -attached themselves to the vitals oi" the I/ibor Party. "There is, - ' ie said, "between syndicalism and unionism a gulf as wide as hell. In the name of unionism and laborifim 1 would pass them out- like the devils from out ;>!' the swine." Referring to union enlistments Mr finches suited that the. waterside workers'sent 4000 and the Australian Workers' Union 20,000 men.

FRENCH SUCCESSES. HI Oil COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. LONDON, Jan. 1.1. ' On the Arlois-Lille road the French destroyed enemy trenches at several points'. Between the Smnmo and the, Oi.se a {Verman regiment caught our lire when entering Rove. NEW ZEALAND & THE WAR.

WORK OF THE MAHENO

ADDRESS BV A CH A PLAIN-MAJOR

Chaplain-vMajnr D. Dutton, of the New Zealand Ho-piial Ship fMaheno, delivered a very interesting address on the work of the Maheno and on matters appertaining generally to the welfare of the soldiers to tlie Invercargill Patriotic Committee last evening.

•■Mr A .W. Rodger, jun., who oecu-| pied the chair, said that some six months ago the Patriotic Committee! had handed £"200 to the chaplain-major to expend among the sick and wounded soldiers with whom lie might come in contact, and he would give them an account rj his stewardship of the funds. On rising to speak Chaplain-Major Dntton was greeted with applause. He said he would tii'-t like to say how thoughtful it was of the Patriotic Committee to initiate the movement to place funds in the hands of chaplains tor the use of sick and wounded' New Zenlanders. It was, he sa'd, that suggestion that led to more money being given them, in till f'(3CO. With reimrd to the monev he had .&50 in cash when he left-Wellington on the 'Maheno and he had a draft for the balance of £560, which he presented at the AugloF,gyptian Bank at Cairo. The mauager tliere suggested that it would ho better to operah r on the draff at Malta, where sold could readily be had. The hospiFal ship went right to the from. wlkm-o shells and bullets burst around her, hilt fortunately no one was hurt. Their I work was to receive men from the fir- ' inrr line with their field dressings on. Most of the cases did not require help '■■o they were taken to IMudros, the harbor of" Lemnos Island, lour hours' sail, they wore transferred to carrying ships, which look them to the various hofnital-;. AHopoiher the shin carried between ,1000 and 1000 cases. She did "rent work and manv lives were | saved by her being there. He could not : conceive a more septic place than Gallipoli; where gangrene prevailed and c wift operations were often necessarv. It was not always possible to care the

lads, and many had to be buried at sea. Many of the men were badly wounded, more so than could be realised, and some of the nurses- never ceased work. The ship was intended to accommodate •V,¥\ men, but frequently they had 150 and 160 piled up on the decks and in the narrow gangway*. These cases were chiefly what were called walking eases, and there were also many suffering from dysentery. He thought the chaplains should confine their work to those on board the ships as there were many societies which were rendering help on land, and the speaker suggested that £IOO be placed.in the hands of the* chaplains to give to necessitous eases on the- ships. He thought .t'JOO of the unexpended balance should lie given, and if would meet all- the elemands maiie. The speaker impressed upon his- audience the absolute impossibility of parochialism or .provincialism, all moneys sent, being for New Zealand soldiers and not for any section. •Mr Campbell suggested that the Covernment be asked to invite 'Major Dutton to the propose»d conference l of patriotic committees to bo held in Wellingt<in. The suggestion was adopted. The chairman moved, "That the report- of the major be approved and aeloptexl." This was seconded by Mr Teminm and carried unanimously. On Mr Rodger proposing that - the balance <if- the money be handed to Chaplain-Major Dtitton and his. colleagues te> be dealt with, Mr Dtitton said that would be possible only if there were a Central Committee, but in, the meantime they should write to the other patriotic .<-ommit tees who gave money suggesting thei formation of that committee. Ho suggested that £IOO he placexl on the Maheno to be administered by. a committee of chaplains, and that X'iOO-be handed-over- to ■ the Manama, the remainder to be sent to Colonel Charters for distribution at Cairo, Alexandria and other places where there were New Zealanders. This course is to he followed subject io the approval of the Wellington and Ota go Committees. i

A RIVERSDALE SOLDIER. WELCOME'HOME. The. River.sdalo Drill H.ill was well filled, last night, when a welcome home social wn> tendered to Trooper I'. B. Ferris, who recently returned from the * front. Mr Joseph Smaill (chairman of tlu> local Patriotic Com mi it ee) presided, and associated with him 011 1 the stage (were Troopers Ferris, R. Ross (.Mandovillo, who returned in iho Tofna), A. Oit (Balfour, who returned in the Wjiloclirnj," Mr and -Mrs .lmno> Ferris (parents of tho guest of the evening), and Messrs. F. Bavli.s, E. Butler, and \V. Webb. The fctago was decorated for tho occasion, and on ihe wall .were the words "Kemeinber Our Roys," "Welcome Home,'' -".nd '-'England. Ireland, and Scotland," while .a. Union Jack was bung underneath. Trooper Fern's was v. member of tho. Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, and went, as a. farrier. Lie spent seven weeks in the trencher, when he,became ill .and was sent to the] hospital at- Malta-. Upon bis recovery he .returned to the. trenches and was . there another eight weeks. Owing to the explosion of a, bomb he was rendered deaf and was sent to Leninos Island with other New Zealanders who were relieved of duty. The men were all medically examined, and. those who were found "to be unfit for service were scut to Egypt. Trooper returned to Ins native land by the Tahiti, landing at Port Chalmers on Christmas Day. lie has been under the care of 41. special''fit at Duncdin since his return ami is making good progress towards recoverv. The chairman, in welcoming Trooper Ferris and his comrades, -said, lie was ■pleased- to .see such a large gathering 10 do the. guest of the. evening honor, which showed that the. people appreciated the servicer lie had rendered to his country. Every mother and .father who had sons at the war were proud to know that their boys were wulling to make .sacrifices for their country, j Parents snent many a- weary night I thinking of their dear ones, and although thev might fall, their parents 1 had the satisfaction of knowing that

their <sons died honorable deaths fighting for liberty and ■•justice in a. righteous cause. "The people of England recognizer* ,the gallant deeds of the New Zealand hZd Australian Forces at theDardanelles, and were extending the l utmost kindness to their lx>ys. The speaker, in extending a. welcome to Mr and Mrs Ferris, told them they should feel proud of their w>n, and he. hoped that if Trooper Ferris, returned to. the war he would come back again with honor and a commission. Trooper Ferris wa.s a personal friend of uhe speaker's, and he hud 'always had the greatest regard (or him. On behalf of the residents of the, district he presented Trooper : Ferris with a. set of military hairbrushes. The speaker concluded' by wishing Trooper Ferris health, wealth/ and happiness. I All present then heartily joined J n , singing "For He's a- Jolly Good Fcli low!" "and {rave, throe ringing ohcer.s for Troop'.!)- Forri.s. I Mr K. Butler said he was verv I pleased to see Trooper Ferris back 'among hj<> old friends again. He was ■a voung.iinah and was highly respected'' in the district. The speaker trusted that their guest would be fully, ■ re-stored' to his nrevious good health, I Mr W. Webb said the last- occasion • on which ho was on the platform at- ■■. IMverala-J'e- wps at a. meeting -calling > for reoniits. He had now pleasure in . assisting to welcome home Trooper Fer- • ris, who was one of the: first, to' volun- . leer. Ho hr.d-shown thr.t he was not. ni'ra : d to f.o and fight I 'for Jus country, s Ho iad known Trooper Ferris forsojj&e

eight years and had always found him aiv honorable young man. They could all imagine tin? meeting of father, mother, and mm at Port Chalmers. Unfortunately some, parents wore deprived of rlie jov. of welcoming their dear ones home. hut they knew that their .sons had died honorable death* in the. defence of the Kriipire and the eau.se i>f liberty and justice. .Mr and Mrs Ferris should feel proud of their son who had done "11 that it. wa s possible to do. Tl:i' I'ovs at the front m"r,t: !;ave I'ssis'an'e and the .speaker hope 1 that others who had not volunteered would realise their responsibilities aud enlisti. He trusted that should any of the returned men go haek to the war they would return attain. — (Applause.) Mr F. Bayl'i-. said- it gave him groat pleasure to as.sist in we'com in.tr home Trooper Ferris, who had. been anion*!; them siiioeo his infancy. Trooper Ferris liad always striven to do hi.s host in anything lie tackled. The speaker referred to the hero : sm of the Now. Zealanders and A.ustralians at the Dardanelles, and said that the hearts of .-ill went Dili, towards the fathers and mothers whose .son* had made the supreme sacrifice. The deeds of those galJant men would stand for all time. Mr and. Mrs Ferris had every reason to be proud of their son. The speaker hoped that if Trooper Ferris- and Irs comrades returned to ihe war they would all be snared, and lie was wire, they would uphold the honor of the district, and help in keening the grand old Ua»i Hying. (Applause.)

Trooper Ross, who-was well .received, thanked the. speakers, for the kindly references made to him. He was also very pleased' at the line reception the people of the district had extended to his comrade. Trooper Ferris. Trooper On- also received' a good re-' ('option. He met Troopeer Ferris a.t the war. ami the first night they wero under fire they were side, hv side. Trooper Ferris had experienced; .some hard fighting' and had dono his duty well. j Trooper Ferris, on r : s ; ng to respond, received an ovation. He (-aid' it gave him great pleasure to be hack among h ; s old friends and comrades. Soldiers,, he said, wore not addicted to -making speeches., so he would iu-t thank them till heartily for the kindness' they had shown him. (Applause.) Mr James Fcrrs (father of the relumed soldier) said lie \vn,< verv proud, of himself. (Laughter.) Ife ic.t about 20 years younger. It was very pleasing to Mrs Ferris' -and himself to see the reception extended to their son, which. they fully appreciated. Mr J. McDonald then contributed. "Rule Pritannia," the audience joining in the chorus, and' the singing of "•Atf.'d Lang Syne'' and a ver-'e of the National Ant heat concluded a memorable gathering. During the evening an excellent musical programme was conl ributed bv the following:—Pianoforte solo, Miss Butler; song, Mr Gunman : song, Miss "McLonnan; recitation, Maxtor Dickie; vong, Mr G. Green; song, Mis J. I Dunn; sonu, Mr Durham: song. Mrs ! Johnston ; "song. Mr Palli.se>.'; piano- | forte duet. Mrs and Master .lohnwlou. Nearly every item was encored. The I aeeoinpaniments were provided bv Mrs i .Minsion., Mi- S . MoLennan. and Mr Chapman.. The chairman moved a vote of thanks to the performers and ovovybodv who had assisted in the feathering.' which was carried by acclamation. The hall was subsequently cleared for dancing, in which a large number participated to music supplied hy Miss Coonev (piano) .and Mr Brown (violin). Messrs R. Johnston and R. Ferris had control of the. programme. Supper supplied bv the ladies of the district, was dispeiv-'od and an eniovaWe gathering concluded at about 2.;50 a.m.

12TH REINFORCEMENTS. INFANTRY WANTED. WELLINGTON. .Tan. 11. Tho niilitiirv authorities stated t-o-dav regarding the mobilisation of the 12th Reinforcements tlutt the position was satisfactory. Tin* Wellington miliiarv district had done excellently, and so had tho Auckland military district. It was too parly- to say definitely what Otago and Canterbury had done, exeem that Nelson had sent its full quota. Tho authorities added that more men were wanted, especially infantry. THE FEBRUARY FORCES. OTA GO-REQUIRES fl->> "WKLLTN'CJTOV, Jan. 14. The quotas for the February force have been allotted. They are to accord with .the following percentages:— Auckland military district, 27; per cent. : Wellington military district. M.S nor cent. ; Canterbury-military district, 23 2 per (>ent.; Ota go military di; trict. 1G per cent. are the Intent percentages available fron) the compilers of the National Register, and Iliev annly lo the men of military a?o who filled in n'vl returned their ro< v is*ration card 1 -. Tho force will he abou! the numbers of men reouired from tho four military districts will be:— Auckland «V) Wellington 7" l ' Canterbury r 'M Otago - "... ftM Dominion total. 2220.