GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16577, 28 December 1915, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

CHRISTMAS WISHES TO GERMANY. COMMAND OF THE SEAS. AMSTERDAM, December 26. Herr Albert Ballin, managing director of the Hamburg-Amerika Shipping Company, sends his Christmas wishes to the German nation through the Vossische Zeitung. He writes: "The men who will be called in to settle the terms of peace have as their principal task that of terminating, simultaneously with a war which has destroyed generations, the armament fever, at any rate as far as concerns the welfare of Europe, which is exhausted for a decade. They must also prevent this sanguinary war from being followed by an economic war, separating nations. The demand for the freedom of the seas comes once more into prominence. The seas are always free in peace time, but in. war time we have again found to our cost that the strongest fleet rules the seas. Hence, means must be found to guarantee freedom of traffic for our mercantile fleets both in peace and war *ime. To say t-hat to make free routes from Berlin to Bagdad has been our only aim in this war would be reverting to a purely Continental policy, and would seriously prejudice Germany's prospects regarding the future shaping of her political economy." GERMANY'S USELESS NAVY. DREADNOUGHTS OR SUBMARINES? (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, December 26. A Times correspondent states that he is reliably informed that the new battlecruiser Hindenburg is now ready. She is the fastest of her class afloat, and this and Germany's other new warships are armed with 17in guns. The Manchester Guardian states that Germany is not building Dreadnoughts, but is concentrating on submarines. Her dockyards are seeking contracts for building two new Brazilian cruisers. AN ACTOR Y.C. LIEUTENANT DARTNELL'S GALLANTRY. „ LONDON, December 26. Lieutenant Dartnell, of the League of Frontiersmen, won the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery on September 3 at Makatu, East Africa. During the Mounted Infantry engagement the enemy's black troops were murdering our wounded. Lieutenant Dartnell, though himself wounded, insisted on being left behind in the hope of saving the rest. He lost his life, in a most gallant attempt to save his comrades. Lieutenant Dartnell is believed to. be the first actor who has won the Victoria Cross. (Received Dec. 27, at 11.30. p.m.) A soldier's letter states: "Dartnell gave & good account of himself. We found seven dead at his feet." WAR COST TO GERMANY. COLOSSAL TAXATION FORECASTED. ( (Times and Svdney Sun Services.) LONDON, December 26. The Frankfurter Zeitung, discussing the Budget debate in the'R«ichstag, says that the enormous and increasing war cost will necessitate the most colossal taxation, no matter how high an indemnity Germany may exact after the war in the event of her ultimate victory. MR FORD'S MISSION. A TOOL OF GERMANY. THE PROMOTER DISILLUSIONED. LONDON, December 26. According to the Weekly Dispatch's Stockholm correspondent, Mr Ford's expedition was a German plot, of which Mr Ford was a victim. The plan was hatched two months ago in Berlin. Herr Schwimmer was designated to secure a rich American to finance a trip. It was hoped that Sweden would officially receive the mission, and that then Mr Bryan would be brought to meet. t,he King of Sweden. Finally, Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg invited Mr Bryan on a mission to Berlin. •Mr Ford is returning disillusioned. PEACE PARTY AT LOGGERHEADS. . FORD BREAKS DOWN. LONDON, December 26. The Exchange Telegraph Company's agent at Copenhagen states that Mr Ford will sail for America aboard the a.s/ Bergensford. He is already- realising that it is impossible to make headway. Before leaving, Mr Ford gave a cheque for a million kroner to finance the expedition, under a committee of five. The peace party is continually at loggerheads. / Miss Bosiki Schwimmer persuaded Mr Ford that the Scandinavian Government was ready to assist him, and when Mr Ford found that all official doors were closed he broke down. DEALING WITH GERMAN TRADE. NECESSITY FOR ALLIED ORGANISATION. THERE MUST BE AN ECONOMIC ALLIANCE. LONDON, December 27. (Received Dec. 27, at 11.30 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle says: The proposal of Mr Hewins, P.M,. regarding political action to fight German trade is of firstclass importance and should command the support of all parties,' regardless of fiscal opinions. We must rid ourselves of the notion that France, Russia, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and other combatants are separate economic entities. The need for the mobilisation of the economic resources of the Empire and the Allies is the more urgent because Germany, by her Balkans conquests, has at last sue- ' ceeded in mitigating the rigour of the naval blockade.