DECISIVE MOMENT APPROACHING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9876, 18 August 1914, Page 5

DECISIVE MOMENT APPROACHING.

FIRST 6REAT BATTLE ON EASTERN FRONTIER.

NO IMPORTANT FIGHT IN BELGIUM FOR A WEEK.

JAPAN'S ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY.

ONE OF THE CRAVEBT DEVELOPMENTS OF THE BITUATION.

TREMENDOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF BRITAIN'S SEA SUPREMACY,

The decisive moment is approaching on Germany's Eastern frontiers, where Kussia is moving rapidly. The latest advices on the Belgian situation point to a delay of another week before a big battle is fought. • Britain's command of the sea is supreme. Aided by the French Fleet she has cleared the Adriatic, and the Austrians, following the Germans' discreet move, are sheltering behind minefields, where they will remain indefinitely. Japan has given Germany a week's notice to quit her Chinese concession. The entrance of a great Oriental military Power into a conflict hitherto confined to Western peoples is causing great concern in the United States.

A cable to-day scotches the wild stories of German cowardice, and does justice to the reckless bravery of the Uhlans.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.—Per Press Association.)

THE DECISIVE MOMENT.

FRENCH ADVANCE INTO

ALSACE.

APPROACHING ON RUSSIAN FRONTIER.

THE FIGHT AT BLAMONT.

A WEEK BEFORE HEAVY FIGHTING IN BELGIUM.

GERMANS DRIVEN BACK

Received August 18, 9.35 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. The Times' military correspondent says the public ought not to expect news of the impending battle for a week, or even longer. The first heavy fighting may be expected at Ramillies, between Charleroi and Gembloux.

PARIS. lAtog. 17, morning. The Bavarian Army Corps held a strongly entrenched position before Blamont, when the French division, advancing into Alsace, opened the attack on Friday night. After pushing the German outposts back they suspended* operations till dawn on Saturday, when the infantry advanced under powerful artillery fire, and soon drove the Germans from Blamont to Circy. The Germans then occupied a hill overlooking the villages from th 6 northwards, but the French advanced, and the Bavarians withdrew towards Saarburg, leaving many dead and wounded on the hillsides. The French force, four miles south of Saarburg, occupied the Domm, one of the chief summits of the Vosges, just beyond the frontier.

The decisive moment is approaching in the eastern theatre of war, where the Russian Bout-hern armies have entered GaJicia. They are converging upon LembuTrg' along three railways—easterly by Brady and northerly by Sokal, thus hindering the Austrian attack on Warsaw from Cracow.

BRUSSELS, Aug. 17. Official: Up till Sunday afternoon the situation was unchanged. The Belgian army had no direct contact with enemy at any point on its front.

Further northwards, in the Briey district, the re treating Bavarians pillaged houses, maltreating civilians. The retreating Germans in Alsace also burned many houses and shot a number of inhabitants.

BRITAIN SUPREME ON THE SEAS.

A FRENCH VERSION.

TREMENDOUSLY SIGNIFICANT FACTS.

DEADLY ARTILLERY AND SPIRITED CAVALRY CHARGES. PARIS, Aug. 17. The French allowed the Germans to enter Dinant, while they prepared a crushing blow. The engagement began on Saturday afternoon. The French artillery was deadly, and was followed by a oharge of Chasseurs, who threw the Germane into disorder. In their hurry to recross the Meuse many Germans were drowned.

OUR FLEET AT THE ENEMY'S VITALS .

Received August 18. 9.38 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. The Times' naval correspondent writes that the seas are free to British merchantmen. The commercial flag of Germany is no longer afloat and it is well the nation should realise the tremendous significance of these facts. Meanwhile the fleet exercises pressure upon the vitals of the enemy without fighting. Germany is deprived not only of food products, but of a hundred other requirements. If it becomes necessary to feed the army at the expense of the civil population history teaches us that | the results should be disastrous.

ANOTHER 1000 PRISONERS TAKEN. ALSO SEVERAL HEAVY GUNS

Reoeived August 18, 9.0 a.m. PARIS, Aug. 17. On Sunday the French operations were developing on the line from Rechioout to the Sainte Marieaix mines. The advanoe was especially rapid in the Schirmeck Valley.

WITH THE SILENT SERVICE

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES.

They took 1000 prisoners in addition to 500 captured the previous day./ They also captured several heavy guns and field pieces at Sainte Marie, and nineteen transport waggons at BlamOnt.

FIRST NEWS FROM THE FLEET,

Received August 18, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. The Globe's naval correspondent, writing from an unnamed naval port, says: "I have been with the silent service in the navy and have had unforgettable experiences. The swift-com-ing and going of ships and the readiness of the men and material have been great to see. lam not surprised to read the Admiralty's announcement that our trade routes are open 3 but for mines in the North Sea, where trawlers are busy clearing the seaway and proceeding well. Tne German fleet is bottled up in the porta.

AN ENGINEER'S FEAT.

DRIVES GERMAN SOLDIERS INTO FRENCH STATION.

Received August 18, 10.5 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. A train driven by an Alsatian transporting 700 Uhlans to the frontier, instead of stopping where it should to detrain the Germans, ran across the frontier and drew up at a station occupied by French troops. The whole of the Uhlans were captured.

DESTRUCTIVE EFFECT OF ALLIES'

ARTILLERY.

REPORTED NAVAL ENCAGEMENTB IN ADRIATIC.

Received August 18, 8.55 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17,

The Press Bureau states that a visit to the scene of the fight in Upper Alsace shows the great destructive effect of the Allies' artillery. A trench abandoned by the Germans was full of dead and wounded.

SENSATIONAL RUMOURS UNCONFIRMED.

AUSTRIAN FLEET IN TROUBLE.

GERMAN ADVANCE IN 80UTH BELGIUM.

NISH, Au k . 17.

Semi-Official. —The French on Sunday sank two Austrian warships at Budua and ignited a third, while a fourth fled to Cattaro.

FRENCH FIGHT WITH GREAT SPIRIT.

Received August 18, 8.50 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17.

BRUSSELS, Aug. 17. Eye-witnesses state that the Germans at daybreak occupied part of Dinant on the river Mouse, where it runs in Southern Belgium near the French frontier. The force included a Guards division, another cavalry division supporting the infantry with mitrailleuses. Simultaneously the French infantry entered the other side of the town, and there were skirmishes L hroughout the morning extending over icveral villages. About two o'clock the Frenoh infantry withdrew from the woods, and the field \rtillery engaged the German artillery, heavy French guns meanwhile exchanging hots with the German guns across the town. The French commander then gave the order to advance, and an infantry regiment from Houx flung itself on the Germans and ;:ha.sed them out of the town to the hills, south of Dinant. Profiting by the disorder, regiments of light cavalry crossed the river and hunted the flying Germans for several miles, though the French pursuers were greatly outnumbered. Six French batteries, each of six guns, were able to follow the retreat from the other side of the river, moving forward through wheat fields west of the town, while chasseurs and infantry drove the Germans due south. • ,

The Press Bureau says the French Mediterranean Fleet swept the Adriatic clear to Cattaro and sank a 2400-ton Austrian cruiser.

The Press Bureau, however, later states that there is no confirmation of a' naval battle in the Adriatic, and it is inclined to discredit the report. | Received August 18, 8.55 a.m. ROME, Aug.| 17. It is reported that four British battleship? chased the Austrian cruisers Auro) and Soziertjar, which were blockading the Jlontenegrin port of Antivari. • The Austrian# took refuge in Pola (one of their 'own ports).

DISCRETION THE BETTER PART

OF VALOUR.

AUSTRIAN FLEET FOLLOWS

GERMAN PLAN

Received August J18,9.30 a.m

, W av/, a.m. V LONDON, Aug. 17,

The Austrian fleet has retired to its head quarters at Pola and has secured itself behind the minefields and the destroyer flotilla. . ■ TTie Franco-British fleet will probably be content to maintain a close watch on tin enemy.

PARIS, Aue. 17. The French captured many hundreds 01 r Jhlan horses.

German columns can be seen winding •long the valley of th© Meuso towards Oinant, where thero aro signs that importint operations are being prepared.

AEROPLANES DISAPPOINTING.

UNCANNY EXPERIENCES O#

AVIATORS.

A TROPHY OF WAR.

Received August 19. 9.35 a.m. LONDON. Aug. 17. It is difficult to determine the value of the aeroplane in the war operations. Belgian airmen are spoiling the soouting of the Uhlans, but the guns brought many to the ground. The airmen have weird and uncanny experiences. Air waves created by the concussion rock the aircraft like cockleshells, sausing them to dive, rush upwards, stop and shiver, and perform; other nervewracking acrobatics.

Received August 18, 8.55 a.m. PARIS. Aug. 17. The first captured German flag has arved in Paris.

FRESH FIGHTING NEAR SWISS FRONTIER.

LONDON, Aug. 17. [Telegrams from Basle report fresh 'fight-' b between Belfort and Altkirsch (in iver Alsace)... 1 •• fi ;<r.v ... •

lArHn frßUm n I LASTa

ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY. ORDERS EVACUATION OF KIAOCHAU.

(Sydney Independent Cable.) I4NDON, Aujr. 16 1.30 p.m. It is stated tnafc Tokio officially announce* that Japan has handed an ultimatum t<c Germany which demands the evacuation oi Kiaochau and the withdrawal of German warships unconditionally, before Auguet 23 LONDON, Aug. 17, morning. Japan's ultimatum promisee the restora tion of Kiaochau to China.

VERY DEFINITE ULTIMATUM.

WEEK'S NOTICE TO QUIT. ' LONDON, Aug. 17. Official.'—Japan s ultimatum to German} say» it is important and necessary to remow .causes of disturbance of peace in the Fai Bast, and to safeguard general interest under the Anglo Japanese Allianoe. Accord jingly Japan advises Germany to withdraw her warships of all kinds from Chino Japanese WaterSj and to disarm' those unable to be withdrawn; secondly, to deliver to Japan by 15th September, unconditionally, the entire territory of Kiaochau for eventual restoration to China. If these terms are not accepted by noon of Aunist 23rd Japan will take action.

SENSAfION IN AMERICA.

AFRAID JAPAN WILL SEIZE SAMOA

. WASHINGTON, Aug. 17. A sensation has been caused by JapanV ultimatum, and there is much concern it i official circles in Washington regarding the desire that Kaiochau revert to Chint. It is feared that Japan will be tempted to demand that the leasehold of Kaiochau be transferred to her, and it is also feared that Japan will seize German Samoa, and insist on its retention, which will be bitterly resented in America (which owns part of Samoa), and in view of its strategic import, ance in oonoeetion with the Panama Canal. ■ AMERICA SATISFIED. . j *' $ J \ - Reoeived August 18, 8.55 a.m. . _ ■ J LONDON, Aug. 17. The Japanese, Ambassador at Washington informed the United States that every American interest will be safeguarded. The United States regards Japan's promise to restore Kioachau to China as satisfactory.

ONE OF THE GRAVEST DEVELOPMENTS.

STEP TAKEN ON BRITAIN'S ADVICE

Received August 18 9.10 a.m. WASHINGTON, Aug. 17. The Japanese Ambassador delivered to Secretary Bryan a written announcement of Japan's ultimatum addressed to Germany requesting the latter's withdrawal from the field of activity in China. Simultaneously Japan communicated general assurances that the interests of the Powers interested in maintaining the territorial status quo in the Orient would be protected to the utmost, and a conference would be arranged. Japan was not assured that the ultimatum would be delivered to Germany owing to cable difficulties and in order to guarantee delivery a oopy was communicated to Berlin through the United States Government. The United States does not intend to be drawn into the controversy, considering the Japanese promise of the eventual restoration to China of the territory of Kaiochau satisfactory. The ultimatum was received in Washington as one of the gravest developments of the situation, bringing, for the first time, a great Oriental military power into the range of a oonfiict heretofore confined to Europe. The Japanese action, according' to authoritative sources, was taken on a proposal by Britain and following on conferences between Britain and Japan.

UNPROFITABLE ISOLATION. AMERIPA OUtfjDF THE WORLD. " Reoeived August 18, 9.0 a.m. WASHINGTON, Aug. 17. The American people are learning that _n the twentieth century there is no place :or an isolated United States FIRST SPY TO BE SHOT IN FRANCE.

Received August 18, 9.10 a.K. PARIS, Aug. 17.. Gruaulton, a Frenchman, baa been oourtmartialled and sentfenosd to death for offering the Cologne Gazette details of the wjrelesß atation on Eiffel Tower and the aerodrome at lesy-lc-Moulineaux. If the execution ifl carried out it will be the first spy executed in Franoe, though wild rumours •Me that 1573 have already been shot.

GERMAN DROP BOMBS INTO BELGIAN TOWN. Received August 18, 8.55 a.m. BRUSSELS, Aug. 17. Lasfc night a German aeroplane dropped bombs into Louv&in (Belgium). Two Belgian aviator*, owing to a breakdown, were compelled to land near a body of Uhlans. They abandoned their aeroplane, but, later on. the Belgians, with a quiok-firer mounted on a motor oar, surprised and drove off the Uhlans and rescued the aeroplane.

ILL-TREATMENT OF CONSULS.

MORE GERMAN BRUTALITY.

PARIS, Aug. 17. The French Embassy states that the British, French, and Russian Consuls at Danzig were treated with great indignity. They were peremptorily ordered to leave on August sth. When the train reached Kentheim, three days later, the Consuls were separated from their families. The women were sent to a tavern, and the Consuls were imprisoned in a tiny cellar. Mr DrummondHay was released on the 13th, but the Russian and French Consuls are still detained.

ON RUSSIA'S FRONTIERS.

AUSTRIANS DRIVEN BACK.

GERMANS REPULSED,

DOING JUSTICE TO THE ENEMY.

GERMAN CAVALRY'S RECKLESS

CAST-IRON TACTICS CAUSE GERMAN LOSSES.

WHY THE ZEPPELINS ARE NOT , USED. / Received August 18, 11.30 a.m. . ] LONDON, Aug. 18. The tfories of German crueltiac, oowardice and wholesale voluntary surrenders which originated in Brussels are described as absurd by unbiassed observers, who declare that the German cavalry advance has been almost foolhardy in its bravery, the absolute recklessness of the Germans indicating that they thought themselves invincible.

The faot that the Zeppelins have played little part in the operations against Liege jeads to the surmise that the main fleet is being withheld for the future for more oritical operations. The airships are now coloured grey, rendering them less visible.

BRAVERY.

The police captured Wuelfing, one of the chief German spies resident in Brussels. At the moment of his arrest he was writing a report to the German Government which resulted in the arrest of many others.

ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 17. The Czar has gone to Moscow. The Russian cavalry on Thursday dispersed the Austrians, forcing the evacuation of Kielce, which was recently affected by the Austrian advance.

Reoeived August 18, 9.0 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. In the battle at Haelen (Belgium) the Germans under fire used the goose-step and mass formation. These cast-iron tactics greatly increased the casualties. The bridges over the rivers crossed by the Germans in masses were piled with dead. Priests during the battle heroically accompanied the Belgians in the firing line, calmly heard confessions and granted absolution to the dying under a hail of bullets and bursting shrapnel.

THREE MORE CAR LOADS SMASHED IMPORTANT SPY ARRESTED.

GOING TO BATTLE IN GOOSE

STEP.

Received August 18, 9.35 a.m. BRUSSELS, Aug. 17. The Embourg fort at Liege shelled three motor cars carrying German, officers on a road alongside the river Ourthe. One fell into the river and the others were smashed and all the occupants killed.

HEROIC "PRIESTS,

GERMANS IN LIEGE HAVING A GOOD TIME. Received August 18, 9 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. While the Germans attacking Liege are suffering great hardships, those occupying the city are living like fighting cocks at the expense of the Belgian populace, the officers occupying the best rooms in fashionable hotels, demanding the oldest wines and offering 1.0.U.'s in payment. A theatre has been transformed into stables and quickfirers are mounted on balconies commanding the strategic streets. The Germans possess hundreds of motorcars. The residents are allowed only candles, which they must extinguish at nine o'olock, when windows must be closed and doori opened.

FORT &HELLS GERMAN OFFICERS.

The first German infantry division on Thursday and Friday attacked the Russian frontier at Eydtkuhnen and was repulsed after an artillery engagement. Many women, principally Cossacks, are applying for service in the ranks. The Dowager Empress Marie (Queen Alexandra's friend) has reached St. Petersburg by a circuitous route and had a reception. Previous reports in Switzerland were circulated as a blind to her real movements.

RUSSIA'S MASTER STROKE.

OFFER OF POLISH HOME RULE.

LIVING LIKE FIGHTING COCKS.

THRILLS RUSSIA AND POLAND.

TERRIBLE EVENTS IN AUSTRIA.

SIXTEEN PRIESTS EXECUTED IN ONE DAY.

REBELLIOUS REGIMENT MASSACRED.

Received August 18. 9.10 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. Letters reveal terrible condition* in Dalmatic, Bosnia, and Crotea (three Slav provinces in Austria). * Trade has oeaeed and food is scarce. All the notable Serbopkilee have been imprisoned, including Deputies, merchants, professors, Mayors, and nwnv Gatholie priests. Terror prevails everywhere. Clubs have been dissolved, newspapers are prohibited, and editors imprisoned. Soldier* have taken leading Serbs aa hostages to guarantee with their lives the safety of the bridges, telegraphs, and railway®. Sixteen Orthodox priests were executed on August 3rd at Seragevo, and a whole regiment of Bohemian soldiers was annihilated at Bosnia for rebellion.

ITALIAN PREPARATIONS.

INFORMATION FROM AMERICAN SOURCES.

NEW YORK, Aug. 17. The Rome correspondent of the New York World reports that 20,000 Italians are concentrating at Verona, Peechiera and Lugano. The whole garrison of Bologna has left the Udine.

The port of Venice has been mined and the defences of Brindisi have been strengthened.

SUDDEN DEATH OF BRITISH GENERAL.

DESTINED FOR HIGH COMMAND.

Received August 18, 8.55 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. The death occurred suddenly of Lieuten-ant-General Grierson, from heart disease. He was intended for a high command. [Lieutenant-General Sir J. M. Grierson, K.C.8., was recently in command of the Eastern Division of the_ Home Army. He had a varied and distinguished oareer, commencing in 1882 with the Indian Contingent in Egypt. He fought at Tel-el-Kebir and in the South African war was in various engagement;. Among his publications was a book entitled "Armed Strengths of the Armies of Russia, Germany and Japan."]

LONDON'S SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

PRINCE OF WALES' FUND, £1,200,000.

Received August 18, 8.50 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. Ten thousand special constables have been sworn in in London. There will be no Lord Mayor's Show or banquet this year. The Prince of Wales' relief fund totalß £1,200,000.

MASTERS AND MEN.

UNION IN FACE OF COMMON

DANGER.

Received August 18, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. Justices have ordered the closing of public houses in the chief towns of Northumberland and Durham at nine o'clock. There is no resentment on the part of the working classes. The miners are strongly supporting the Government, though 50,000 colliers are idle in Northumberland alone. Many are assisting the farmers to gather the harvest. The Armstrong College is organising lessons in simple agriculture. Masters and men have closed existing controversies. The masters are not pressing the reduction of wages which the Conciliation Board had given them, and the minere are submitting to the three-shift system. The export of Russian butter and eggs to England is being arranged via Archangel (a port on the north coast of Ruaia).

t- LONDON, August 17 (morning). The Dai(y Chronicle's St. Petersburg correspondent says the proclamation granting Home Rule to Poland has thrilled Russians and Poles alike. It is the first official indication of the vast historical changes that the war is likely to produce. Intense enthusiasm was aroused in Warsaw. The proclamation has had an excellent result on mobilisation, and the effort to counteract German and Austrian incitements to revolution. The Poles admit that owing to the hatred of Germany and the growing antiSlav policy of Austria, Poland's only hope is in reunion under the Russian Crown.

MARINE WAR RISKS.

GERMAN SPY ARRESTED IN

BELFAST.

FRENCH ROUGH RIDERS.

Received August 18, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 17 (morning). The Government is insuring vessels over a war risk period for 91 days at 21 per cent. If at sea at the expiration of the policy an additional thirty days will be added pro. rata. Hochmann, a German ex-employee at Viokers and Harland and Wolffs, has been arretted at Belfast docks. The Territorial* and Roy Seduts protectee the railways, telegraph and waterworks, have been largely increased. The police have beept ordered to enforce registration of German*. " • , '? ■

ENTIRELY SELF'SUIPPORTING.

Received August 18, 9.10 a.m. PARIS, Aug. 17. A Rough Riders' Corps is recruiting. It includes eeveral American cowboy*?' a number of jockeys, dnd many Englishmen. The squadron is entirely eett-supporting and i» armed, with carbines, sabres,, and automatic pistols. \ * - • ** *j .- h .'/■ mmm

AUSTRIANB FIGHTING BELGIANS.

UNDER EX-IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR.

AMSTERDAM, Aug. 17. It is rumoured that Austrian troops are fighting the Belgians under Count Von Buelow (ex-Chanoellor of Germany), who is oommanding the Second Army Corps. BIG CONTRIBUTION FROM STEEL MAGNATE.

Reoeived Augnat 18, 9.10 a.m. OTTAWA, Aug. 17. The- Finance Minister hae reoeived a war contribution of 500,000 dollars from Mr Row, a Montreal Steel Magnate.

TO GO TO EUROPE. EXPEDITIONARY FORCE SAILS AT END OF MONTH. STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER.

WELLINGTON. Aug. 17. Hon. James Allen, in a statement to the press, says the expeditionary force will sail at the end of the month, and the men will go to Europe, with Major-General Sir Alex. Godley in command. The forces will be so arranged as to fit in with the Imperial unit, and it is desired that mobilisation of the force should be expedited. The response throughout New Zealand has been splendid.

NO DISLOCATION OF OUR COMMERCE.

AN EXPERT'S OPINION.

(Bt 1 slm bath.) (TBOM OVB PABLIAMIMTABY RlTOBTIB.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. A gentleman who has had a long and varied commercial experience in the Dominion remarked in conversation with a reporter to day that in his opinion the fears that had been expressed that the war would give rise to a serious dislocation of oommerce and industry in New Zealand were hardly warranted by the visible facts and probabilities. As to the danger of unemployment, the departing contingents would take over 9000 able-bodied men away from the Dominion, and of these 3000 at a rough estimate would be oountry workers most of whose places would have to be filled The same would apply to a fair proportion of the places vacated by the oontingenters hailing from the cities. For the rest there was every prospect that the oversea trade of the Dominion would be fully maintained. Before long the seas would be cleared of hostile cruisers, and even now a fairly satisfactory arrangement had been made in regard to war risks.

The Imperial guarantee of four per oent up to 80 per oent of the value of tne goods insured applied to all outward cargoes from Great Britain. No doubt some similar arrangement would be made regarding cargoes 6ent Home from New Zealand and the other Dominions. There was thus every prospect of a clear outlet for the export of produce, and also for the supply of materials abroad upon which some Dominion industries depend being maintained. As a whole, general, commercial and industrial conditions should go a good long way towards making up for a reduction in the resources of the Government and of local authorities, which would necessarily result from the war.

A SPLENDID GIFT.

SARGOOD DONATE £2OOO. DUNEDIN. Aug. 18. Sargood, Son, and Ewen, answering the Premier's call upon the people of New Zealand, have placed £2OOO at the disposal of their local organisations, to be devoted to local relief, and cheoues are forwarded to twelve places, including Auckland £4OO, Christchurch £SOO, Wellington £3OO and Dunedin £3OO.

WAR GIFTS. The Manawatu Rugby Union decided last Sliding to donate prooeeds of matches played at Feilding ana Palmertton North next Saturday to the War Fund. Mr D. Watt has donated a field glass to the equipment of the troops. The following cheques towards the Patriotic War Fund were received at the Defence Office yesterdayL. Y. M. Pascal, £ls 15s; J. M. Hoflows, £2 2s. The meeting of suppliers to Messrs Nathan and Co.'s factories at lialoombe and Tokorangi were held yesterday by Mr F. J. Nathan in connection with donations to the Patriotic War Fund. The suppliers unanimously decided to contribute various sums to that fund, the amount to be deducted from their milk cheques. The donations are to be sent to the Patriotic Fund made monthly as long as the war lasts, at Haloombe. The contributions are to be

In giving a guinea to the equipment fund J for the express purpose of buying tobacco for the men, a local resident suggests that there is need of supplies of "the soothing weed," a« he does not notice many gifts of tobacco amongst the published lists. The following additional gifts have been received for the local farmers' patriotic fund:—Messrs Tanner Bros. £lO 10s, A. A* Mitchell £2 2s and a horse, W. Hayward £2 2s, J. Matheson and 0. Johansen 10s each. Mr Mason, eenr. (Taikorea), ha* given a horse. Mr J. H. Burmeister has been added to the Collecting Committee. At th-5 meeting of the old volunteers last night Mr McEwen, late Color-Sergeant of the Bluff Guards, offered to give the whole takings of his billiard saloon on the seoond Thursday in each month to the War Fund, while the war lasted. The offer waa reoeived with applause.

CONCENTRATION CAMP. Units in camp have now settled down to work, and the course of instruction is proceeding apace. The officer commending each unit issues his separate course of instruction, and this is being carried out At present a large number of the men are being fitted out with uniforms, etc. The total number in camp to-day was 32 officers and 1226 men. Tne detailed list is: Regiment Officers Men Regimental headquarters ... 3 2nd Mounted Rifles (Hawera)... 4 70 6th Mounted Rifles (Manawatu) 7 160 •th Mounted Rifles (Napier) ... 3 91 Regimental headquarters ... 3 6 7th Regiment (Wanganuij ... 1 186 9th Regiment (Napier) ... 4 143 11th Regiment (Hawera) ... 17th Regiment (Masterton) 3 156 Signal troop RTN.Z.A. - 12 Reservists D Battery (Wellington) ... F Battery (Napier) 1 14 J Battery (Palmerston) Ammunition column Field Engineers 1 19 Field Ambulance 1 58 Army Servioe Corps 1 25 Deserters Totals 32 1226

RETURNS OF VOLUNTEERS. OVER FIVE THOUSAND.MEN IN WELLINGTON DISTRICT.

MAYORESS'S PATRIOTIC FUND. £ s. d. Mrs (Dr.) Rorke f> 0 0 IMm H. R. Cooper b 0 0 Collected per Mite Baigent (Longburn) £ 10 6 Mr* 8. Hanna 22 0 Mm D. Crotier 11 t) Mr« Boden 10 0 Collection, per Mrs Trask ... 6 6 0 A friend 1 i 0 Miss G. Moore 10 0 Employee* Gm Company 8 5 0 The Mayoress desires to acknow ledge, with thanks the following gifts: Miss Mayo, care Mrs A. Strang, shirts; ('. Whitehead, 12 housewives: Craven .Sdio..l, 12 caps; Mrs W. J. Batt, books; Mr !W.y (Longburn), per Mm Trask. 600 cigarv t.<«; John Rosse; one roll flannel; THE WAR FUND. The Mayor acknowledges the follor,,:i" donations to the War Fund: £ s. <1 Waldegrave Bros, and P. S. Mcßae 60 0 0 W. Stubbs 6 0 U J. Rainforth ... 5 0 0

"STANDARD" RELIEF FUND

In view of the distress that is certain *<> be a result of the war, the > Standard" has opened a relief fund, tl « prooeeds from which will be devoted to alleviating, so far as possible, that d' tress. Tne money subsoribed to this fui 3 will be devoted (1) to the assistanoe <if those going from this distriot who, on thrureturn, require it, and their depend entfi; (2) to provide for the relief of members of the expeditionary force going fro'n other parts of New Zealand who, on th« ir return, may require assistance, and their dependents ; and (3) the relief, so far as possible, of distress in Grest Britain. The amount* subscribed to date are:—

£ a. 1. "Manawatu Standard" 26 0 0 Wm. Davison 10 0 Mrs P. Laroomb 110 L. A. Sharland 110 C. W. Batson 22 0 H. L. Young, Ltd 5 5 0 H. L. Young, Ltd.. Employees (Palmerston branch) 5 7 0 W. H. Hankins 110 Viggo, Guy, and Frida Monrad (first instalment) 5 6

Further enlistments were recorded yesterday. Though most regiments are filled up, enrolment will still proceed to get the necessary number of reinforcements. To-day's returns are: TERRITORIALS. Regiment. Officers. Men. 9th Mounted Rifles (Napier) ... 10 102 2nd Mounted Rifles (Hawera) 8 162 6th Mounted Riflea (Manawatu) 20 138 7th Regiment (Wanganui) ... 8 160 9th Regiment (Napier) 8 199 11th Regiment (Hawera) .14 156 11th Regiment (Hawera) ... 14 156 17th Regiment (Maaterton) ... 8 180 J Battery (Palmerston) ... 2 27 F Battery (Napier) 1 55 D Battery (Wellington) Engineers (Wellington) ... Signal Corps (Wellington) ... 1 31 Mounted Signal Troop (Pahiatua) OTHERS. No. 6 Group (Palmerston) ... 20 692 No. 7 Group (Napier) ... ... 13 697 No. 7a Group (Mastcrton) ... 12 323 No. 5 Group (Wellington) ... 39 1562 No. 8 Group (Hawera) 7 573 ToUla ... ...171 5074