GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16285, 19 January 1915, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

THE CHIEF VIRTUE. TRIPLE ENTENTE'S RESERVE FORCE. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. M. Deschenal, speaking in the French Chamber of Deputies, said that the chief virtue in this war is tenacity. The Dual Alliance had put forth its full effort, but the Triple Entente had not. The decisive moment had not yet arrived. A CAPTURED STEAMER. | MUST LEAVE OR BE INTERNED. WASHINGTON, January 17. The State Department has ordered a collier manned by a German'prize crew to leave Porto Rico or be interned. As a British cruiser is waiting outside, the Germans will probably allow the vessel to be interned. The collier was formerly the British ship Farn, captured by the Karlsruhe in October. MUST NOT RETURN. INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE FEARED. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. German civilians released from the French concentration camp are forbidden to re-enter the Fatherland, because, having read the truth in the papers, they would spread discontent in Germany. ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS. ABSOLUTELY VALUELESS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. The Times correspondent, describing the air raid on Dunkirk, says the German airmen took no notice of the anti-aircraft guns, but dropped their bombs and then contemptuously returned across the line of fire, proving the guns as useful as shooting at mosquitos with peashooters at 110 yds range. POLICE AT THE FRONT. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. Two thousand London constables are now serving in the Army and Navy. SOCIALISTS' PEACE CONFERENCE. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. The' Peace Conference organised by Danish Socialists, usually held at Berne, opens at Copenhagen to-day. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland aTe represented. GREECE'S ATTITUDE. DEVOTED TO GREAT BRITAIN. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. (Received Jan. 18, at 5 p.m.) The Greek Minister, speaking in London, said : " We are not only in sympathy with but absolutely devoted to the cause of England in this great world crisis." GERMAN SUBMARINES. EXPERIENCE ON A DESTROYER. A NARROW ESCAPE. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. (Received Jan. 18, at 5 p.m.) A seaman aboard a destroyer writes : " Our job is patrolling the coast on a dark night, with the water a bit choppy; none is allowed to turn in to his hammock. The middle watch lookout sighted a red light, then a second and third. We steamed close to the first light, and a searchlight revealed a submarine, which immediately dived, the other disappearing simultaneously. The submarines had mistaken us for our supply ship. We cruised about hoping to ram one and every minute expecting a tin fish against our side. Fortunately they failed to torpedo us, and were not again seen.'' SURGICAL MIRACT.ES. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 17. (Received Jan. 18, at 5 p.m.) The Journal of Surgery reports remarkable recoveries from wounds. One soldier had a large hole driven into the frontal region of the scalp, and another into the vertex of the skull, the fracture being followed by extensive paralysis of the limbs. Both are doing well. A SIGNIFICANT MESSAGE. GERMAN MONEY APPARENTLY DEPRECIATING. LONDON, January 18. (Pveceived Jan. 18, at 8.40 p.m.) Orders have been issued in Germany that it is unlawful to make pure wheat bread, also prohibiting the buying and selling of gold coins above par, under punishment of a fine of 500 marks and a term of imprisonment.

THE KAISER'S BIRTHDAY. NO FESTIVITIES DESIRED. MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION NOT NEEDED. LONDON, January 18. (Received Jan. 18, at 8.40 p.m.) Tho Kaiser is requesting that there be no festivities on his birthday. He desires all to realise the gravity of the situation and tho direction in which fortune seems to haive turned her face. He asks that the customary letters and telegTams be forgone, as they might interrupt the postal and telegraphic services, which are already overtaxed and interfere with his Majesty's work ftt headquarters. He declares that such messages are not needed in these days of tribulation which have come to the Fatherland. He offers thanks in advance to each supplication made to the throne of the Most High. TAMPICO OIL DEPOSITS. EMBARGO REMOVED. LONDON, January 18. (Received Jan. 18, at 8.40 p.m.) The British Legation at Mexico reports that President Carranza has removed the embargo placed upon oil at Tampico required for the British fleet. EARL KITCHENER'S APPOINTMENT. NOT DUE TO NEWSPAPER AGITATION. LONTX)N, January 18. (Received Jan. 18, at 10.40 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle, rebutting Attacks made on Lord Haldane, states that Lord Haldane on August 2 was assisting Mr Aaquith at the War Office. They decided that Earl Kitchener should be Minister of War. The Foreign Office hesitated, desiring to secure Lord Kitchener. It was untrue that the appointment was to a newspaper agitation. GERMAN IMPERIAL TREASURER. AMSTERDAM, January 18. (Received Jan. 19, at 0.5 ajn.) Professor Helferich, director, of the Deutscher Bank, succeeds Herr Kuhn as Imperial Treasurer.