THE WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16277, 9 January 1915, Page 11

THE WAR.

THE DESTRUCTION OF ADMIRAL VON SPEE'S FLEET.

RECEIPT OF THE NEWS IN KAMOA. Tho following is an extract from a lettex received by his relatives 111 Duncdin from a member of tho Expeditionary Force in Samoa: —On Wednesday night last, " Lights out" had sounded when we heard tremendous cheering from "B" Company's linos, which are situated near tho orderly room. I hopped out of bed and rushed to find out what was tho matter. Nows of the smash-up of tho German Paoilic Squadron had oomo through. The scono was indescribable. Lights sprang up in all the huts and schoolroom in which wo now camp. The cheering was deafening. Separate members of the band began playing differont patriotic tunes all over the camp, and chaps poured, some decently clad in shirts and short pants, others in shorts only or shirts only, still others in native lavalavas or waist-cloths, and lust a good number in nothing at all. After getting details we wont mad. It was only when the orderly officer for the day reminded us that wo had to bo up at 4 in tho morning that we returned to bod and doused the lights, and then only becauso he is a very popular officer. The* row did not cease, but cheering and singing went on in full force. In lulls we heard tho same thing going on on the water front a mile away, and from, the Vala ramp two miles away. Then the bugle sounded " Fall-in, the band," and of course the whole regiment turned out. It seemed that Colonel Turner, our 0.C., who is lying in hospital with a broken leg, and the other hosipcal patients had asked that the band should go up there, about a mile away. But that wasn't good enough. Iho whole regiment wont. The band started in with " When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again," and the Scotchmen in the regiment gave it lip. Somebody produced a big red ensign .md headed tho procession. It was W. Morpeth, otherwise " Morp," who is in charge of tho canteen. Tho rest of us crowded in behind the band, not in fours, but arm in arm, as many in a row as the road would take. Wo sang "Tipperary," "Rule Britannia." "Red, White, and Blue," ragtime, and a native farewell song, and shouted in between such cries as "Are wo downhearted?" "No!" and "Wo won't bo bothered about" (that isn't the word, but it will do here), all the way up to the hospital. The poor old colonel couldn't eomo out. but as I knew the hospital and tho sisters I caught a glmipse of him, and he was very much affected. We cheered all tho officers and the sisters, and Lord knows who else, and the band played patriotic songs and ragtime amid the row. I worked round and got hold of Pat , who is still in hospital, and ho wis in a great state of excitement. Tho row stall continued, and while tho band was playing tho "Marseillaise" the player of tho big drum, who is really a marvel with tho sticks on both drums, during a particularly difficult twirling feat broke tho wrist strap of one stick and it hit a chap in front of me on tho jaw. I nearly clied laughing. lien the band struck up the National Anthem, and instantly there was absolute silence on tho part of tho men and the sisters and officers and all. All sprung to attention like ono man. Then all joined in and sang, and when ono hears it sung by a crowd such as was thero that night, it is indeed a majestic anthem. After that tho row started again, and the band marched off to " When Johnny Comes Marching Homo Again," etc., etc., wo following as wo had before. Tho last I saw of Pat was his striding up and down the verandah, bad leg and all, speechless, and waving a native chib round his head. Wo went bade by another road, past our outpost position, and they cheered us like mad. We got back to camp, getting hoarser every minute, about 11 o'clock, but it was long before quietness was restored. We were turned out at 4.45 a.m. for the usual route march, and Colonel Logan inspected us at the finish. He said we were 10 times more valuable than when we had left, and seemed as proud us punch of us. Wo were due to relievo tho outpost that morning, and we fell in as usual and were inspected, and then dismissed, as outposts' werw no longer required. Onr duties are therefore considerably lighter. IN EAST AFRICA. BRITISH GALLANTRY. INDIAN FORCES TAKE PART. Reuter's correspondent at Nairobi, British East Africa, writes as follows (says tho Cape Times of November 24): —It is officially stated that the enemy attacked the British position near Gazi. The enemy was repulsed with some loss, 10 dead being picked up. In the flight tho Germans abandoned a quantity of arms and ammunition. The British counter-attack camo under heavy fire at close range. Tho British casualties -.cere: —Captain Llewellyn, Captain Stonor, Lieutenant Faulkner, and an Indian officer severely wounded; Major Hawthorn and four Indians wounded; two Askaris killed and two wounded. Brigadier-general Stewart, commanding the forces, in his report on the actions recently fought at Tsavo, Kisii, and Mzima, comments on the gallantry of the troops whilst under fire. He considers tho action at Tsavo River a creditable ono for all engaged, considering, the novel nature of the country. A scrub of very thick thorn bush rendered it impossible to observe what was going on at even a few yards' distance. Captain Pottinger led a double company with skill and determination, and performed a gallant act in attempting to rescue Subadar Shar Ba, of tho 26th Punjabis, who ■was killed. _ Great credit was due to Lieutenant Hardingham for tho way in which he gained information of and maintained touch with the enemy. Both officers are recommended for the D.S.O. Sergeant George Williams, of the 3rd battalion of the King's African Rifles, showed great courage and enterprise during tho night. Twice at great, personal risk he crept up to the German position, and brought back accurate information of the enemy's dispositions and strength. He is recommended for the Distinguished Conduct' Medal. The British casualties in the Kisii fight were:--Captain Thorr.eycroft, a native officer, and sis* rank and file killed; Lieutenant Musson, Lieutenant Grey, ahd 12 rank and file wounded. The German casualties were: —11 Europeans and 30 Askaris killed, five Europeans wounded, and 16 Askaris captured. In the action at Campi Ya Marabu vhe British casualties wero:—Lieutenant Foster, fivo rank and file, one Somali killed. The German losses were:—ls rank and file killed. The action was fought with spirit and determination. Lieutenant Foster died a gallant death, while the rank and file gavo him courageous support. No further fighting is reported to have taken place, and the lull is continued. Recently a largo number of British and Indiantroops arrived from India. Our troops at the front are being provided with ample gifts by tradespeople, residents, and settlers alike, whilo an East African war fund has been organised. At Mombasa a committee has been appointed to control the raising of patriotic funds for this country and at Home. A general fund was opened with a donation from Liwali Salim Bin Khalifar, C.M.G., of £500. Trooper H. W. le Page, who was connected with D Squadron of the East African Mounted Rifles, was badly mauled by a lion whilo on outpost duty at Shomboii, on the German border near Lake Natron, and has since died in hospital at Kajaido. GERMANS AM) THE WHITE FLAG. A messago from Durban, dated November 21, says:—lleliablo information is to hand that fighting has occurred at Tanga, opposite the island of Pemba, East Africa. Indian troops, convoyed by warships, appeared off the town, when the Germans hoii.ted tho white flag; but, after 24 hours' notice of" the if tent ion to bombard had expired, the Germans hauled the white flag down, and ran up the German colours. A British regiment and several Indian regiments then landed, whereupon the Germans,, who had taken advantage of the 24 hours' notice to place men and guns in tho trenches, opened fire, with disastrous results. The regular forces then covered tho retirement of tho Indian tro->ps, and tho warships bombarded Tanga, which w&s blown to pieces. Somewhat of a sensation was caused in a, Masterton hairdressing saloon on Tuesday morning (says the Wairarapa Age), when Sergeant Miller entered and arrestee! an employee, who had a razor in his hand, and was in the act- of shaving a customer. The man's name was Otto Thiel, and he came to New Zealand from Australia shortly after the outbreak of war. His conduct had led the police to suspect that he was a German spy. A search of his effects made it clear that he was a German reservist, who had been naturalised in Australia. A considerable quantity of German correspondence was found in his possession, together with several changes of clothing, and a " bell-topper." He had also a number of military buttons stamped with the German eagle. He was taken to Wellington in the afternoon, and handed over to t-hj military authorities. He will probably be accommodated at Samoa Island until the war is over.