NOTES ON THE CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16512, 12 October 1915, Page 6

NOTES ON THE CABLES.

By Sh&epnkl.

THE AUSTRO-GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN THE BALKANS.

Two cables, giving the opinions of Mr Robert Blatohford and of Mr Amery, M.P., confirm the opinion expressed in yesterday's notes on the reasons Germany has for attempting to open a road through Serbia to Constantinople. There is not the slightest dbabt that the movement towards Constantinople has been made with a view to guarding German'interests in Asia Minor, Syria, and Mesopotamia, and also with the itnins£ste purpose of increasing Great Britain's areas of trouble. The undertaking has not been made for purely strategical reasons. This new campaign of Germany is a mixture of tho policy of "Welt Politik" and military strategy. This great war is not only a war of a purely military nature, but a war of diplomacy, with far-reaching designs. The strategy involved is not purely that of a technically military nature. It international psychological effects, as well as economical,' religious, ethnological, and political effects. If Germany were successful in her Balkan campaign tho results would be made as far-reaching in the Middle East as German cunning could mako it; but that idea must be taken with the proviso— if she is allowed time. Tho Kaiser and his economists have conceived a magnificent scheme, which, in its comprehensiveness, involves more than his military strategists .approve of. There is, however, this to be said of his scheme concerning Turkish affairs, that his'plait of rousing.and arming every Turkish effective and putting a few able, German officers in command of a huge Turkish army is a shrewd one for creating a great diversion at the expense of Great Britain with a comparatively small loss to Germany. If the worst comes to the worst,, for Germany, all she will care. about is that she started the Turkish ball rolling with a chance of succees, and, if Turkey ends in total ruin, well, -that will be the misfortune of : Turkey, and, as far as Germany herself is concerned, it will be a blow that will hurt, but not vitally.

THE IMMEDIATE DESIGN. The immediate object of the campaign against Serbia is to prevent the opening of .the Dardanelles, and probably to undertake a strong campaign against the British forces which, are. acting so successfully in Lower Mesopotamia, where Germany has great railway interests, and where for years she has been trying to destroy the very important trade of British-India. . , *

The cables this morning state that Jerusalem is the centre of great military activity, and that all the nunneries have been converted into barracks for recruits who are being actively trained , and drilled in musketry. 'It 'is .reported that great train's of munitions are on the road to Jerusalem for this new army. If there is any. trirHi in this, Bulgaria has been playing a double part for a long time. She has sent a great part of her munitions to Constantinople, and is relying on the AustroGermans to replenish her stores when they break through Serbia. That may be one. reason why. Bulgaria is playing a comparatively passive part in the operations against Serbia. It may. also explain the hypocritically friendly spirit which she 'is exhibiting , towards Greece and Rumania., This remarkable gentleness will be liable to variation later on unless the strong hand of her German masters, restrains her. At present it is the policy of Germany to prevent by all the means in her power—these including threats', cajolery, and chicanery—the cooperation with &e Entente Powers of Rumania and Greece. If Bulgaria and her

masters were successful owing to the abstention of these/two Balkan States, the troubles of Rumania and Greece would commence later on.

: Early in September the operations of the Allies on the Gallipoli Peninsula were beginning to look.very hopeful. :Had Bulgaria not played in secret the game of Germany, the Allied forces which have been diverted to Salonika would in all probability have made an end of the Turkish resistance. ITALY AND GERMANY. • The position of Italy in;regard to Germany is an extraordinarily anomalous one. There has been no formal declaration of war, and Germany has' refused, for some powerful reason, to declare. war against' Italy. It has been said that Germany has such huge interests commercially in Italy that she is /afraid that German property there will be while there are no corresponding Italian interests 'in Germany which she could annex to compensate for the Italian seizures. It has even been suggested that Germany may have made a secret arrangement with Italy which allows" Austrian interests'in the Adriatic to go by the board, Germany having decided to throw over her idea of being ihe controlling power in the Adriatic .provided she can obtain a position of paramount influence and power in- the regions. It is known that Italy :has had some friction with Serbia and Greece over ihe eastern -litoral of the Adriatic. The trouble with Serbia is. sup-, posed to have been settled, but there ha* been no word of'an understanding having been arrived at with Greece over Ovkraa and the'lonian Islands. .

The anomaly is still further increased by the fact that Germany is going to the assistance of Turkey, andvthat she has Bulgaria associated with her, while Italy is at war with Turkey and Bulgaria. Italy cannot afford to see such a crafty and shifty personality. as, King Ferdinand extending his borders to the Adriatic through Serbia and by way of Albania. Moreover, any bolstering up of Turkish interests or powers endangers the position .of Italy in Tripoli. Italy-will have to send assistance to Serbia in order to act in true concert with the Entente' Powers, and to fight not only the battles of the Irridenta but also those of European democracies. We know that British and French forces are' assisting Serbia; but -we have not yet heard that there are any Italian troops in Serbia. THE WESTERN THEATRE NEAR . .; , LENS. In the western theatre there seems to. be an increase of intensity in-the tremendous artillery bombardment that is going on, and although- on the side of the Allies tho expenditure of munitions is increasing, there is apparently no diminution in the ability of the enemy to reply to it. In effectiveness the balance appears to lie with the Allies. As far as we know (/ only in one or two cases has the German fire been effective. One instance is admitted, that of the recapture of the Hohenzollern redoubt, near Hulluch. In addition, a claim is made by the Germans, but not yet confirmed, that they have captured the French positions at Leintrey.

In the neighbourhood of Hulluch and Loos the British are still making progress towards the east. At Hill 70, south-east of Loos, they are capturing important ground giving , them position on the elevated ground north of Lens, and are threatening , the railway communication between that city and the Lens-Lille railway. In fact, that railway is now easily wkhnj range of the British howitzers. THE CHAMPAGNE-AND ARGONNE. , The Fren6h activity at Souchez and south of that , town seems to have abated somewhat, but the struggle in the Champagne is being vigorously carried on. The Germans have been pushed back from the regions north of Souain, and eastward of that village. There is some very severe fighting going on north-east and eouth-eaet of Tahure. This implies that the French axe swinging their attacks eastward towards the Argonne Heights instead of forging their way further north. ■ It has been indicated that there would probably ,be somo fresh developments in the regions of Verdun, on the north side <jf the St. Mihiel salient. The French now appear to be attacking this salient on both the north and south aides.

There is a remarkable reference to British and Indian troops in connection with the fighting in the Argonne. It is a surpriee to hear that mixed forces are being employed there; but it is just the country for men used to fighting in the mountainous and wooded districts in tho northwest of India.BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged ... £23,615 011 Railway goodsheds' regular casuals, additional 2 18 0 Total „. ... £23,617 18 £1 ~~SERBIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged ... ... £710 0 2 Mount Benger Patriotio Commit- ' tee, Roxburgh ... 5 0 0 ; Total '... _. ... £715 0 2 LEATHER WAISTCOATS FOR /THE TROOPS. - We have received the following subscriptions to a fund for supplying 1 leather waistcoats to the.New Zealand troops in accordance with Lady Liverpool's appeal:— Previously acknowledged „. ..;£197 10 4 P. Goodwin, Moa-Flat ...... 010 0 Mrs G. Love, Moa Flat 0 10 0 Total ~ £198 10 . 4 THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND. "•■'.. The Rev. Canon Curzon-Siggers and Mr A. H. Fisher report the following receipts for the fund which has' been administered in Egypt by the Rev. C. J. Bush-King:— Previously acknowledged ... ...£779 15 9 Local subscriptions ....... ~.. 1 0 0 Total ... ...£7BO 15 9 GOING TO THE FRONT. The employees of the Caxtbn Printing Company assembled. on Saturday to bid farewell to Mr A; M'lntyre. who is leaving for the training camp to-day. Mr W. J. Hutton, on behalf of the employees, in presenting -Mr M'lntyre with a Gillette razor and silver-mounted pendant cigarette holder, congratulated him on his manly action in volunteering immediately on attaining the eligible age. Mr P. L. Ritchie, on behalf of the firm, handed Mr M'lntyre a luminous-faced wristlet watch, accompanied by the wish that when his business as a soldier was finishtld he would return safely and finish his apprenticeship. The recipient suitably responded. ■ \ ■' ' The office and engineering staffs of the Otago Harbour Board marked their esteem and appreciation of Mr J. N. Walsh, of the import department, who is proceeding to Trehtham to-day, by presenting him with a

pair of inscribed field glasses. ■ Mr Walsh, in responding ;to the presentation, expressed the hope that he would have a practical opportunity of doing his share towards maintaining the grand name that New Zealanders had made for themselves at. the Gallipoli Peninsula. PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION. MESSAGE FROM MR LLOYD GEORGE. (Pbb Umtid P*KB« Association;.i AUCKLAND, October 11. ' At a patriotic demonstration in connection with the Baptist Union to-night the follow'ing message was read from Mr Lloyd George:—" Please convey greetings and best wehes for success of meeting to the Baptist Union. Britain is well aware of the sacrifices New Zealand has made to help the Mother Country .in her hour of need, nor will she be forgetful of the bravery and devotion of your sons. Thi» taloi of the heroism of the Australian and • New Zedland troops has sent a thrill of pride and confidence through every heart in this Empire. This war has foTged a pew link between Britain 'arid the colonies, and our hearts beat in unison in this fight for freedom." . BACK FROM EGYPT. (Pib Uwitbd Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 11. Among.the passengers who returned tonigkt in the Moeraki from Sydney was Mies HT M'Lean, who lefj; New Zealand in April in charge of the first party of nurses sent to Egypt. TJiree' members of the Maori Contingent also i - eturned for special duty.. These were Captain Roger Dansey (Dunedin), Lieutenant Hiroti To Uru (Wanganui), and Thomas Hetch (Te Kuiti).

LATE TROOPER HAGERTT

PROPOSED MEMORIAL.

(Pn.United Pbkss Association.) 1 . '■ TIMARU. October 11.

A. preliminary meeting of the admirers of good sport was held to-night to inaugurate a "movement to establish a memorial to the late Trooper James Hagerty,' the boxer. The 'endowment' of a cot in the hospital found favour among the suggestions offeied. An appeal is. to be made throughout the dominion centres. , " ... Overseas qLTJB. The Ladies' Committee is busily engaged in packing comforts and luxuries for our boye at the front. Everything in the way of dainty surprises has been securely packed, and no doubt the gifts will give the receivers as much pleasure as they have given those who have packed them. The committee will be pleased to receive further monetary donations to buy gifts and comforte for the boys.; The,room is open on; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) from 10_ a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations of clothing will be gratefully received. The cpmmitteo ,wiehee to return.thanks to the following donors for their liberality:—Mis' Mace, biscuits and condensed milk; Mrs;A. M'Kirinon (Gladbrook), cuffs and books; Mrs Watt, socks, Mrs Highet, clothing; Little Joyce Watts, picture, books for Belgian box; May and Charlie Brady, box comforts for lonely boy; *ImperialJ6t," clothing (per Miss Lawrence) ; magazines for soldiers from Forbury School children; Miss Clarke, comforts for soldiers; Miss Robertson, clothing; billies, comforts, 6s; O. G. L., 2s 6d; Clinton Girls' Sewing Club (per Mrs Hay), large parcel clothing.

RECEPTIONS AND FAREWELLS.

PORT CHALMERS FUNCTIONS,

At: the meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Councir-last night Cr M.'Lauchlan moved : that a small committee should be appointed to act in conj unction with the Mayor in making arrangements for extending welcomes to relumed troopers and for giving , farewells to those, who were leaving for the front. Cr Anderson seconded tho motion, which was carried practically unanimously, and Cra Love, Stevenson, Isbister, and M'Lauchlan were, , selected to act on the committee. Tin- Mayor wound the matter up after a lengthy discussion by remarking that he would call upon the councillors in turn to assist him at patriotic functions. EXAGGERATED STORIES. ■ A well-known Otago officer, who is at present in a convalescent hospital at Port Said recovering from wounds, writes as follows under date August 20: — "Yesterday I £aw Major Dutton. What a treasure he k. The Maheno passed through the canal on August 18. . . . , " It's dreadful being an invalid. One reason is that a follow s letters have to be redirected, and they chase him all round Egypt. The mail is the only thing worth wTftile when you are sick. I somehow. manage to see a Witness pretty regularly. It's very interesting' to read what heroes we arc! What a lot of lies and exaggerations do creep in. I'm a bit of a lior myself, but not in print, thank you! There io too much risk of being bowled out."

RECRUITING IN STEWART

ISLAND. (Pbb Ukited Phesß Association.) INVERCARGILL, October 11. Out of a population of 250 in Stewart Island, 35 have either gone to the front or are waiting to go. COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS. PROPOSAL FROM LONDON. (Peb United Press Association.) WANGANUI, October 11. A proposal which fche_ Wanganui Patriotic Committee considers will solve the problem of providing men at the front with Christmas comforts comes from the London Committee of which Mr Cecil Wray, a well known ex-New Zealandor, is chairman, and several prominent New Zealanders are mombers. The London .Committee will make up, pack, and ship a parcel containing tobacco, cigarettes, and other specified articles constituting an acceptable gift at a cost of 3s per parcel. To enable this to bo done all the money muet be remitted by the- end of November. The contents of a parcel represent a much greater value than can bo sent from here at the same cost. The Wanganui Committee approved of the scheme, and decided to ask all other committees to co-operate on a basis of 4e por parcel, so as to enaiblo a cake to be added to the contents. The sum of £200 will provide 1000 parcels.

THE SAMOAN GARRISON

MORE MEN RETURN.

(Pμ Uiutep Press Association.} AUCKLAND, October 11,

The Talune,, from- tlie Islands to-day, brought 53 soldiers returned from Samoa, including seven time-expired men. Thirtynine are to report at Wellington.

THE MASTERSINGERS

CONCERT FOR OUR BOYS,

The box plans for the musical festival which is to take place at the Garrison Hall on Thursday evening opened yesterday morning. Judging by the brisk demand for tickets, it is anticipated that a full house will greet the Mastersingers in their commendable effort to raise a substantial sum for our soldiers. The programme to be presented is an €xcellent and varied one, and, quite apart from the object, should attract all lovers of good mueio.

OTAGO WOMEN'S ASSOCIA-

The w<\rk of making the leather -waistcoats so necessary for our boys at the front during tho coming winter proceeds steadily at the Early Settlars' Hall. Owing to the limited number of sewing machines available for use in the hall, and the short time remaining before the garments must be de10. working days,—the hearty co-bpera'tion of all guilds, sewing clubs, and private individuals is earnestly required. The ordjnary sewing machine is suitable for the purpose, and waistcoats' cut out are obtainable at the hall. , Letters received from the front contain requests for such comforts as . condensed milk, chocotite, etc., and the association hope, as by the aid of a generous patronage at Thursday evening's concert, to be able to forward a good supply of these soldiers' delicacies that will provide welcome additions to the army ration which, generous as it is, leaves much .to be desired in the way of variety. Each ticket bought means joy in the trenches, and our. boys deserve all we can send.

The following donations have been received :-—Waistcoat . Fund.—Taieri' Women's Patriotic Association , £50, Crookston Farmers' Union £26 17s 6d, Mrs Sare 4s 6d, W. Breen £1. Mrs W. Breen 10s, W. Breen's employees £3, Miss Coburn ss: Patriotic Fund.—Ex-Girls' High School Club £5 55,, Women of Owaka, Miss Edwards, Mrs Grocott, Pupils of Mornington School. '■■-.:

RECRUITING. TO THE EDI,TOH. I, I am sure, does not "feel happy in the knowledge that there , are young fellows in our midst so wanting in honour, patriotism, and common decency that after handing in their names they will not come forward for medical inspection when called on. I would suggest that they should be publicly advertised for after the first notices have been sent out. It is.high time things were taken more seriously. Some of these—-what ehall I call them?— men (save the mark!), boast that they offered, but " could not" pass the medical test., They do not say " would_ not." I assure you that I have come in contact with quite a number of able-bodied men with no ties who, by their utterances, are utter fools or disloyalists, for they, recognise that King and country ; have ho ckim on them. Employers, too, unfortunately, lend themselves in a good l many cases by advertising' ■: indirectly for the military shirker.—l am, etc., ' DISGUSTED.

LEATHER COATS FOR SOLDIERS,

V' TO ■• THE -EDITOK.

Sib,—l have to-day been examining the coa.te for soldiers in the Dunedin drapery shops. There are four kinds—rabbitskin, sheepskin, chamois, and tanned leather. The one defect in every garment I inspected was ,the lack of ventilation. I,have seen the 'Russians wearing sheepskin .coats, and have myeelf worn chamois, in cold countries, but there< were rows of tiny eyelet holes to allow the body steam to; escape. I am sure all the doctors will agree on the absolute indispensability of these airholes for men who may have to wear the garments. day and night in the trenches. Could this matter bo attended to bnfore the enats are despatched, and so add to the health "and comfort of the wearers??—l am. etc., , <•■■ >•■ . B. L. Cowie, / '' World's Missionary,., W.C.T.U. PRIVATE ABERCROMBIE. Cable advice has 'been' received that Private Ralph Abercrombie, of the Third Reinforcements, is now. in Webdereley Hospital, Flixton, Manchester. JOTTINGS. Mrs Malcolm M'Callum, of Ravensbourne, has just received an interesting document from her son Alan; who left Wellington on April 17 with the Fourth Reinforcements for Alexandria. After being at eea a week Trooper M'Callum enclosed a_ message in a bottle, with a request that if it waS picked up the finder should forward it on to his mother. Mrs M'Callum has just received the seaborne message, together with an explanatory note, stating that the bottle was picked up on the beach at Temma, on the west coast of Tasmania, by Master Cyril Cartledge, son of the local postmistress, on the spot .where the steamer Rebecca was wrecked many years ago. letter concluded with a very kindly personal message from Mrs Cartledge, and conveying her good wishes.for the safe return of young M'Callum, who has just been transferred to the Headquarters Staff at the front. Sergeant Gaffney,- of the Wellington Police Force, has received word that his brother, Private Gaffnoy, who was captured by the Turks, has had to have one-of his hands amputated. / Major Felix' Templeman Bellringer, 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles), has been promoted lieutenant-colonel and given command of the regiment, vice Lieutenantcolonol Malone, killed in action.

' The Hon. Dr Pomare (Minister in Charge of the Cook Island) left on Wednesday for the Cook where he will medically examine the contingent of Niue Islanders who have volunteered for the front.

. Dr J. P. Whetter, of Christchurch, who left for London a few weeks ago to offer his services to the War Office, has been appointed to the Argyle and "Sutherland Highlanders. v :. , . Old boys of the training ship Amokflra have not turned a deaf ear to the'call for men, and it is the proud record of the ship that there are over 60 of the old boys at present in the < firing line. Three have already been killed and -eevoral wounded, while there are a number proceeding to the,' front with the next reinforcements or going into camp at sin early date. Captain A. F. Watchlin, R.N.E., who resigned the charge of the TJ.S.S. Co.'e tug Terawhiti last March to offer hie, services to the Imperial authorities, has been appointed as navigator to H.M.S. Jonquil (says the Auckland Star). Prior to this appointment Cantata Watchlin was second in command of H.M. torpedo boat Thrasher. He also underwent a course of instruction in gunnery. Wo have received from the Army and Navv Gazette the first part of "Mentioned in Despatches" (Is net), containing tho names of all the officers, noncommissioned officers, and men of the Royal Navy, British Army. Indian Army, Territorial Force, and Colonial Contingents who have been mentioned in despatches, together with the honours, rewards, and decorations- which thev have received for -their services, officially gazetted to June 11, 1915. From this record it appears that up to that date Sir John French hiul mentioned the names of no fewer than 672 officers, N.C.O.'s, and men attached to General Headquarters Staff, etc, and that 59 Victoria Cross awards had Iseen razetted.

VERA CRUZ RECENT AMERICAN OCCUPATION. BRITAIN LODGES CLAIMS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, October, 10. Great Britain, has presented claims to the United States amounting- to £45,000 in respect of British property lost through the American occupation of Vera Cruz (Mexico) early in 1914.