THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16481, 6 September 1915, Page 2

THE WAR

GENERAL ITEMS PRISONERS AT RABAUL. REASON FOR ARRESTS. TOO MANY " PICNICS." SYDNEY, September 5. (Received Sept. 5, at 3.20 p.m.) Following the recent arrest of a number of Germans at Rabaul a statement has been lnade that after the Australian troops occupied the place the prisoners were allowed parole and permitted to hold social gatherings. At first the parole conditions were observed, but during the past few months some of the .prisoners on the German reserve list took charge, promoting picnics which, instead of'being simple picnics, allegedly became meetings for announcing war news. The picnics usually followed the arrival of mail news. The doings of the German armies were read aloud and received dem6nstratively. Inquiry led to the stoppage of the picnics, and a search followed not only at Rabaul but at the outlying islands. The result was that quantities of ammunition were found buried in perfect condition, indicating that it had been buried before the war, but, overhauled since to prevent damage by dampness. The arrests of a number of Germans were followed by charges of having firearms in their possession. Every prisoner on the captured islands hao previously been ordered to deliver all firearms in his possession.

NIPPED IN THE BUD. SYDNEY, September 5. (Received Sept. 6, at 0.35 a.m.) Besides hidden stores and ammunition a considerable quantity of other arms was seized in the Eabaul raid. There is evidence that the raid nipped in the bud hopes of seizing a favourable opportunity of rising, including the securing of the support of the natives. The raid -was carried out quietly and effectively. The alleged plotters were placed in safe keeping befoTe the bulk of the civil population, was aware of what was happening. ONE PILL AND ONE MEAL. COMPANY BANKRUPT , . PARIS, September 5. (Received Sept.'6, ■at 0.15 a.m.) A German company formed to manufacture foodpills for soldiers, each to equal a meal, has gone bankrupt after spending several millions of Government money.