GENERAL WAR NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15849, 20 February 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

GENERAL WAR NEWS.

ERNEST SOLVAY A HOSTAGE. Krnkst Soi.vat. known the world over for Ins remarkable soda process, and one of the wealthiest industrialists of Europe, ha? been held by the Germans as a hostage for tjie payment of the £8.000.000 war levy imposed on Brussels by the Germans. Dr. Solvav received from the German Emperor a very important decoration, and the Berlin Academy of Sciences presented him with a gold medal. Besides lie is a Nobel piue winner.

PROFESSORS AS PRIVATES.

The famous McGill university, in .Montreal. which takes rank in the New World with Harvard and ale. has c>ntri buted a battalion to the war contingent raised in the Province of Quebec. A number of professors are serving as privates, inc.'uding Dr. ,J. (1. Adaim, the wellknown authority on tuberculosis. The principal oi McGiU, in Ins address to the students at the opening of the term, suggested that all the universities in Canada should take action with a iew to forming a regiment prepared ultimately to go to the front under their joint auspices.

CANADA'S NEW DRY DOCK. The Grand Trunk Pacific lJailway Com pany has -decided to build at Prince Rupert one of the largest dry docks in the world. It will be capable of docking a 20.000-ton battleship. Work was started early in January, giving employment to thousands of men. A complete shipbuilding plant has been established. Thus Canada is gradually building up her industries. When completed the new dock and shipbuilding yard, with their adjuncts, will give constant employment at good wages to a considerable number of men

ENTHUSIASM IN INDIA. The manner in which the Mohammedan community continue dailv to s< nd the Viceroy messages expressing JoyaJtv to the Crown and diegust at Turkey's attitude is very remarkable. Germany's intrigue on the Bosphonis and elsewhere appear to have raised a fresh hurst of enthusiasm in India, while the gallant exploits of the Indian troops m the tit-id have greatly delighted Hindustan. despite the heavy losses suffered. Much regret, however, is expressed at the meagre de tails which have been received regarding the deeds of the native regiments. 'Hie Government continues to receive fresh offers of assistance from many quarters.

THE BEDOUINS. The Bedouin's phvslque anu temperamen, says a writer In the Globe, are all against his doing any manual labour, and it is the pastoral life which suits him best. With a lithe body, small hands and feet, and soft muscles, he lacks the power of endurance; but he can show himself quirk and fiery for a short time. His eyes are bright and lustrous, and are well trained to discern objects at a distance. This is due in some degree to the uncertain safetv with which the Bedouin travels in the desert, for if he does not keep up the strictest watch he is likely at any time to lie surprised by foes. There are always three things uppermost in a mill's mind—his gun, his horse, and his wives.

TRAINING WAR DOGS. A further proor or tlie patriotism of the non-combatant classes in Russia is offered by the assiduity and enthusiasm with which the proprietors of kennels in the capital, in .Moscow, and in other large cities have of late begun to devote themselves to the training of dogs 'ntended to be sent to the front as dumb but noble "brothers and sisters of mercy." It has become a favourite occupation of the upper classes here to indulge in this highly serviceable and humanitarian work. The dogs are being trained not only to seal for the wounded on the deserted battlefields, and to deliver bandage material and first-aid medicaments, but also to warm them and revive them in case of unconsciousness.

V SLAVE TO CAPRICE." From Geneva a special correspondent 01 the Standard writes:—"ln the Revue de Psychotherapie, of Geneva, Dr. Neipp, vice president of the Swiss Academy of Medicine, and a well-known specialist on nervous and mental disease, publishes a cuiious analysis of the physical and mental characteristics of the two allied Emperors. He considers these two potentates. who are politically and morally responsible for the catastrophes under which the world is suffering, to be medically scarcely answerable for their acts. Dr. Xejpp concludes that if Francis .Joseph is a victim of want of will power, the Kaiser is a hvpercute slave to caprice, and liable tj intermittent attacks of melancholy mad ness, or dangerous .lunacy. The professor ij of opinion that the Kaiser will either put. an end to himself in battle or finish in an asylum."

APACHE AS WARRIOR. " Paris Is now Tree from the much talked of apaches," said the commissary of police. " Many of them are in the army, som<* have been deported, and others have been put where they can do no harm. This reminds me," says' a writer in the Evening Standard, that "even some of the apaches are good patriots at present. Shortly before the war one of these ruffians came to me offering information. Business was bad with him, and he decided to turu informer. We agreed upon the conditions, and then he thought taut he had the right to offer me h:s hand. I simply disregarded his attempt, and lie left. A few (lavs ago I received a letter from him. He is now a soldier, was commended for bravery. and he concludes his epistle by saying:— 1 You refused to shake hands with ifle ; you had good reason lor acting so. But 'l believe that now \o„ will consent to do so should I come bach alive. ' "

BUSY QUEBEC FACTORIES. War contracts an'] general trade are keeping many factories more than usual! l.irsy in the Province of Quebec. One firm lias, been keeping its factories working dav and night. Hi making shirts and trousers for the Canadian contingent ever since August. A clothing firm m Sh^rbrooke — the capital of the Eastern 'townships, and one of the most thriving industrial centres in Quebec Province—is not onlv keeping its factory running full capacitv. but has taken on additional hands. The same story is told bv the leading boot and shoe factories, one well known firm of manufacturers established in Quebec City claiming that, apart from orders for army boots, which they regard entirely as extra business, they have more work ahead than at any time during the past vear. and considerably more than at the some time a sear ago

LIFE OF A PATROLLINGDESTROYER. A graphic picture of the task of mounting watch and ward over the North Sea is painted in the Navy and Arm v. " The signalman 011 the bridge points' away to something off our port bow. !he otti ,-r nods: it is our opposite number and her suit whom we have come to relieve. In a few minutes signals are fiving, the latest news is passed, even compliments a.-e exchanged, and we are on the natiol line, while those we have relieved are speeding towards the harbour we have so recently left. he guns are manned, for vho knows where an enemv submarine may poke her nose out of the depths, and the remainder of the hands go to break fast. We have altered course and are now running southward, thus bringing the wind and sea abeam. The motives of our little craft are not conducive to comfort. and now and again there comes a roar of laughter from below as the cocoa goes flying deckwards, and a shout of 'Now she's over" A little later we pass trawlers at work sweeping for mines, and give them a - cheero' as we pass.'-