ESSEX RAID

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 May 1915, Page 5

ESSEX RAID

"WILLIAM THE MURDERER"

RECRUITING IN LONDON" STIMULATED.

LONDON, May 11. The incendiary Bombs dropped by the Zeppelin consisted of a core of tarred rope saturated with chemicals and bound with wire. They were sufficiently heavy to penetrate a roof. yThe fuses were apparently lighted before the bombs were dropped, and were hard to extinguish. The damage at Southend and Prittlewell is estimated at £IO,OOO. A bomb was dropped near a prison ship, in which 1200 German civilians are interned. There were many narrow escapes. A bomb crashed into a bedroom occupied by two sisters. It fell.'a few inches, from the bed, and ignited, the bedroom. The raid, at Southend has- stimulated recruiting in London.. .?There was - a brisk response to. a Navy poster, headed "William the Murderer! Lend a hand to bring him to justice. " Berlin, reports; .state that airships bombed the fortified place of Southend.

"AN ABSOLUTE FABRICATION"

ALLEGED BRITISH NAVAL LOSSES,

(Rec. May 12; 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, May llr . The Press Bureau quotes a Berlin offi-

cial statementj profesedly" based, on' British officers' letters, friehtiohing a iiayal fight off Bergen on the night of the 7th and Bth April "and .alleging" that; the Superb and Warrior were' sunk arid the Lion was damaged. Other disasters are also detailed) but the German 'navy did not suffer, any loss. -The Berlin statement adds that the German navy had -not participated in. any-fight on'the' night mentioned, therefore the British ships must have been in conflict with each other in the darkness. Mr Churchill "describes the above as an absolute fabrication which shows Ger* /many's anxiety at the present moment to impress neutral states.'"-' T : | GERMAN ATROCITIES IN BELGIUM BRITISH. INQUIRIJES. V WHAT THE COMMISSION WILL REPORT. (Rec. May 12, 8.55 a.m.) ' .". ' LONDON, May 11, The "Pall Mall Gazette" sayisthat after "a half-year's inquiry, Lord; Bryce's committee t is prepared to report on German inhumanity "and outrages, in. Belgium.. " The country 'must 'be'preipared for a' narrative of. officially-sahctipned murder and '■' brutal acts "on -unarmed meri, women, and children comparable only to the brutal excesses of. the Kurds arid' the Armenian massacres. SUBMARINE BLOCKADE SINKING OF THE KATWYK. THE HAGUE, May 11. Germany has informed Holland that the Katwyk was sunk by mistake; She expressed regret and offered compensation. ' •■ NO BRITISH PRISONERS" 'ORDER TO BAVARIANS. DESERTERS' STATEMENTS. BRITISH SOLDIESa. BURNED -■■-, '

states that fiichar-d Lormi,- ut deserter, , told iliiri that Prince feiprecht's Bavarians were formally ordered to *fiake< no British prisoners. In one case forty British soldiers were burned alivfc. in a hangar. The men w ho committed this atrocity received medals. Frederick Kuller, a Bavarian deserter", confirmed the and said that ho himself shot five prisoners. Kahlmann, a third desextea", stated, that British 'prisoners were brought tcheadquarters with their hands Utfnnd behind their backs and their eyes bandaged. They wera executed under the supervision of the commanding officers without being told that they would he \ shot. Kahlmann added that nearly all were wounded, as British soldiers would not surrender- while they were able to fight. Kuller arid 1 Kahhhanii stated that they did not apropve of the order, as. tiiey did not hate the British, though they feared them. They deserted because of their officers' rough treatment. They were practically starved in the trenches. A few days After tho interviews with Martin, Kuller, who Was short of money, went to the German Consul, despite a warning that he would be m danger. Kahlmann accompanied him and waited outside the Consulate for three and a-half hours. Kuller has not been 6een since, and has not returned to his lodgings. M. Vaditmar, a newspaper, correspondent, in a -declaration, states that Kuller told him that his company shot 24 British prisoners because they belonged to a regiment -which blew,up a bridge over the Sheldt when many German 'troops were crossing, it in pursuit of the retreating British army. Air the men were placed against a wall and shot one after another' at "Wervick, under the order? of Major Hofmann. On another occasion a British officer and four soldiers who surrendered were shot in the castle at Holebeke, after a hand-to-hand fight. _ , ' (The foregoing information is also conveved in a message- despatched to tho Premier by the High Commissioner). AMERICANS' REPORT ON GERMAN CAMPS. LONDON, May 11. A White Paper ■■- has been published containing the reports of the United. States officials who visited the camps of the British '•prisoners'-" and interned civilians in Germany; The reports indicate an improvement in the treatment of the prisoners,' but there" are' many _ complaints regarding the quality of the food, the -''accommodation, and the sanitary arrangements'. , DRINK PROBLEM IN BRITAIN GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS EXPLAINED.: LONDON, May 10. Mr Lloyd George, in the House".. of Commons,, -explained.-, the Bill dealing with drink.- He said the Government proposed that the Bill should: be administered by a : central board, which would advise the Government on the question of areas. In the latter efficient local committees of employers and workmen already existed. The- supply of liquor would be in the hands of the Government, . and could only ;" be obtained through the local committees, A-fce W)vernment was prepared to-*-apjJOUit t, a committee to inquire into the White Paper's statements relative to the drinking habits of the working clases. . 'Mx A Henderson said the Labour Party would do everything posible to make the Act effective.

DISTINGUISHED AUSTRALIAN IN, LONDON

MR J. C. WATSON" ENTERTAINED. > REFERENCES TO THE WAR/ \

(Rec. May 12, 11.15 a.m.) V LONDON, May 11. The Empire Parliamentary Association gave a luncheon to Mr J. 0, Watson at the House of Commons. Amongst those-present -were bir <jReid, Hsn. T. Mackenzie, Lords Sydenham, Islington, and Emmot, Sir Gilbert Parker, and many members of the riouse of Commons. ' . , _ , Mr L V. Harcourt, Colonial Secretary, presiding, said Mr Watson must be proud to be in London, and learn oftne prowess of the Australians and New Zeafanders at the Dandanelles. Though unhappily the loss was concurrent witn their great achievement he could, assure Australia that we should not forget. Mr Watson, in reply, said the Australians were pre-eminently a peaceful people concerned in the development ot an immense territory. The present war was not the Mother Country's war. It was N our war. From that point of view Australia approached it. He -was gratified that our troops had upheld the glory and traditions of the Flag. He quoted Mr Fisher's "last man and last shilling phrase. Australians regretted the necessity for prosecuting the war, but it must bo prosecuted to the last d«gree. A suggestion had been made that wo should appeal to the better nature of Germany and bring the war/to a conclusion. The sinking of the Lusitania was the best answer to that suggestion. It was impossible to bring things home to a nation cradled in militarism without breaking the back of the military power. Any peace short of this would be a most suicidal policy on the part of the Allies. He urged Mr Harcourt to expedite an informal gathering of overseas representatives before the conclusion of the war. No possible harm could arise, and a great deal of good might be accomplished in getting the mind of the men of the overseas in respect 'to " war problems which had almost arisen now. The statesmen of the Empire were riot likely to subject the Imperial Government to any em barrassmeht.

, Mr Watsoti sails for 'America to-mor-row.

ENGLISH NEWS LONDON, May IQ._' In response to the North-Eafit Coast Armaments Committee's request, the Jockey Olub has abandoned its fixtures in that area. ' i JJONDON, May 11. The National Belgian Fund totals £216,000. AUSTRALIA FOOTBALLERS 7 ENLISTMENTS. (Rec. 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. ; Rugby Unionists to-the number: of 680, and over f a thousand Rugby Leaguers have enlisted. ■-.'.-.' BELGIAN FUND. (<Rec. 10 a.m.) '■* SYDNEY, This Day. • Six £SOO cheques were received by IVIr Hugh Ward yesterday, in aid of the Belgian Fund, making a total of, thirty of such cheques. SINGLE MEN TO BiE DISMISSED(Rec. 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. In order to stimulate recruiting a number of-timber firms announced-that no' single men would be employed,- after /Friday': next; - and' their places- would bo filled by married-men.

THE OSTEELY'S VOYAGE,

(Rec. 10 a.m.) FREMANTLE, Tliis Day. Shortly after starting her yoyago tho Osterly 'passed a steamer settling after being torpedoed in the Bay of Biscay, Afte? being warned, to beware of-a decoy vessel'she sighted- a small steamer flyW distress signals and asking for help "because her. a-udder/ .had-been allegedly damaged by a . T°° O.sterly swung'round and tho stranger cleaSre'di off.

HEW ZEALAND

A CAIRO GABLE AND DEFENCE MINISTER'S COMMENTS. WELLINGTON. This Day. A statement appeared in tho Christchurch "Press" on Monday, that Colonel Smith had Teceived a cable from Majoi' Loach at Cairo, that .ho was urgently in/ need of £IOO for the wounded. On tho same day the amount was donated eleven Cliristchurch residents. . " . Tho Hon. Jas. Allen, interviewed in reference to the matter, said so far as he was aware, arrangements for looking after the wounded were- complete, and anything need"** would be-provided by the Government. Those, in Egypt knew that perfectly .well. He added that, Major Loach ought to W conimumcated witt his own senior oSfcer.. Thfe ■ <?.overnment cannot deal wit* uidiscnminate demands for assistance. DISMISSAL "OF A GERMAN:. A CHRISTCHURCH INCIDENT".. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.; A proposal to go on strike was discussed by the General Labourow ■ TJmQd; last evening, when it .became /known that one member, F. Lurch, had W dismised because he was tafia <*£.■ many. Lurch has .been a resident and naWisod British subject for man} >;e The matter was brought before'. tho Mayor, wlio said that m conversation, with- tile electrical engineer ie had tc-. marked to the latter that Lurch should b? ,Sut off and a British-born workejr whose case.was urgent, taken on. , The Engineer subsequently dismissed. L Toxoid industrial trouble the "Mafer has now issued"-definite instructions that Lurch be taken on- again until an J>> , poxtimity is afforded to inquire into tho I. position.

WORKERS FOR HOME. DUNEDIN, Tim Day. , A largely attended meeting was hold at Port Chalmers last evening to consider a proposal to arrange for volunteers to proceed Home to heft> in the [ facture of war material. The Mayor «hrf lie had been approached by some n*» who had failed to pass the medical tests, and were anxious to go Horro to assist irt some other capacity. He had wired to Mr) Allen, who was communicating witn the Home authorities. It was not only young men who wanted'to go, as Mr Isaac Stevenson, «* Stevenson and Cook, proprietors of the Maori Ironworks, and othcra similarly; circumstanced, were prepared to go to England and don overalls to work as mechanics for war purposes, lae docK workers of Port Chalmers were also anxious to help. Mr Stevenson suggested that the naires of those willing to offer their services be takeit and forwarded to Mi Allen. The suggestion wab adopted, and Messrs Stevenson and Oook were "the first to sign the list. Twenty others followed. A committee was ap- • pointed to procure further signatures.

IN NELSON THE REINFORCEMENTS. Following men will leave J? 1 '' I ™*}" tham "to-moirow to johv'tho Field Ambulance section of tlie Expoditionarjr Force:—J. Huffam, J. Pearson/ O. ki H. Quinn, T. Harris, A. K., Bradehavr, and S. Cannington. v BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. (No. 1.)

A subscription list is open at the Bank of New Zealand. '' '"_' Additional subscriptions :—C.S. 73 od.

RED CROSS FUND. The following donations are thankfalVl acknowledged :—Miss Kempthprho, handkerchiefs ; Mrs. Marsden, flannel '-and pyjama material; Mrs Mitchell, ;nighV shirts; F. C., Waimea, 2 v <pahrs. socks, 19 handkerchiefs: Mrs Kidson, linen; Rockvillo school girls,'.■ZfrJwxU kerchiefs; Mrs F. Moore, 2s §d ; 'oollecttd at Port {Mrs. Braddell), £7 12s'6d; do (Mrs Blomfield), 'dßl,;ls. \ LrVERPQQL FUND. Tiie following donations are acknoyyv ledged for the soldiers' gift chest Leggatt, pair socks, cap, comforter;, Mlsfe Leggett, pair socks; Miss H.' York£:s pairs!socks; Mrs.J. H- Cock, cap; ftlisd Ward,' 2 pairs socks; Mrs Harley, -f,3 pairs soaks; H. -Patterson- (Stanloy Brook), 3 pairs socks; Miss Bisley, cap; S Dodson (Richmond), : 2 ' pairs, socks; F. Hart (Richmond), 4 pairs socks; O. W. Win, socks; Mi's Kemp,'4, caps -j.-Mw J. CKallies, 10s ; Mrs; Eldridgej 3; pairs socks; H. Baigent, 6. pairs socks._ , LADY LIVERPOOL SOCK F.UND. Collected: in Braeburn by Mrs H. ,J|. Stewart:—Mrs O'Connor, ' 2s,- 8d; Mrs H. J. Stewart, 10s; Mrs Dermolt, 4s; Mrs McAuliffe. ss; Mrs Whitten; 10s; Mrs Watson, ss; Mrs Major, ss; Mrs Eston, ss; Mrs Shields, 4s;' Mr Dickson, 10s; Mrs R. H. Lodge, ss; Mrs L. McCan, : ss. Total £3 10s Bd.