ANOTHER PEACE SUGGESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16964, 28 March 1917, Page 5

ANOTHER PEACE SUGGESTION.

RED CROSS WORK

LAST BULWARK OF RE ACT BON. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, March 26. (Received March 27, at 9.35 p.m.) The Vorwarts urges Dr von BethmannHolhveg to offer peace to Russia, adding : " The outlook of the war has suddenly changed. Wo no longer fi/ht (.'zarism and its allies, but an alliance of tho world's democratically governed peoples, which asserts its will to tear down in Germany the last bulwark of reaction." UNDER GERMAN RULE. IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. AN ENGLISHMAN'S EXPERIENCE. Tho Times. LONDON, March 26. (Received March 28, at 0.55 a.m.) , An Englishman who has been living (uninternod) at Roubaix, Lille, Brussels, and Antwerp since the outbreak of the war, describes life in the occupied territories. The German rule at the outset was, he says, comparatively mild. Civilians were ordered indoors at 8 p.m., except for a fortnight, when they were sent indoors at 5 p.m. because they cheered a British airman who brought down a Fckker over the town. Roubaix was repeatedly plastered jwith orders regulating the civilian life. Every German victory was compulsorily celebrated. English and French newspapers had to be smuggled in. The Times was loaned at 2s an hour. Tho poorer class paid tho French for admission to a back room weekly, where war news was read.

When the Allies declared the blockade— in March, 1915—the German iron heel appeared. The civilians were treated more rigorously and fined.

SUBDIVIDING BELGIUM,

WALLOON AND FLEMISH. GERMAN GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ORDER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. AMSTERDAM, March 26. (Received March 28, at 1 a.m.) Following a Flemish deputation %arly in the month, the Governor-general of .Belgium has issued ail order dividing the into two administrative sections, separating Flanders from the Walloon, 1< reuc'U-j>peaking part. The new frontier runs south from .iipres to north of Liege. The order makes Brussels the capital of the Flemish part, and Namur the capital of the Walloon part. Other details are withheld.

The official newspaper claims that the order realises a long-harboured wish of the Flemish people to have a Flemish university at Ghent. Flanders will have its own administration, with Flemish, as the official language. Vacant professorships at the Ghent University are being filled by pro-German neutrals. [The deputation referred to was one of Flemish people, which asked von Beth-mann-Hollweg to grant Flanders autonomy on, the basis of Dutch language and culture. Von Bethmann-Hollweg replied that economically and culturally Flanders and Germany were' one. He promised in the Kaiser's name that Flanders would receive free and cultured scope under the German Government Germany -would guarantee the free development of the Flemish race at peace negotiations and thereafter. It was pointed out at the time that the deputation was merely a German cat-spaw. Its members were denounced as traitors by the vast majority of the Flemings. They were identical with an obnoxious 1 section who occupied a Flemish University at Brent under German patronage.]

[The cable news in this issue accredited to The Times has appeared in that journal, but only where" expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion of The Times.]

THE ENTRY INTO BAPAUME

THE AUSTRALIANS' VICTORY. (By the Commonwealth Official Correspondent.) British Headquarters, France, March 17. To-day has bean a great day ior tne Australian soldiers. In the small nours this mornnig Australian patrols tound that til© Germans who had been holding the trenches until a late hour last night were retiring from the trenches north ot Bapaume. By 6 o'clock the New South Wales and Victorian troops were well out into thecountry behind tho Geanan line. About 8 o'clock the troops of a certain battalion drawn from all the Australian were able to work through ttio Bapauine defences into the town of Bapaume itself. The retiring enemy sniped at them from houses, but tne Australians pushed through the town. At H o'clock the commander of the leading company was able to report that, emerging from Bapaume, "we came in contact with the enemy. We broke into skirmishing order, and gained our new line." There some of us found them a couple of hours later, lying out on tho green grass in skirmishing order, just as men fought in South Africa. ! Green paddocks sloped gently away on all sides except behind, wJiere the enemy was pounding heavy shells into tho red roofs of tho old town. Tho angry black bursts and heavy white smoke of the burning roofbeams resembled a picture of old-time warfare. But before us, for the first time in this war, so far as tho Australian part of it goes, was open country. Away to the right could be seen with the naked eye, coming towards us, nine specks of men in oxtendeel order. Horsemen behind them presently moved away across country. It was a German patrol keeping touch between two of their rearguard positions. Behind them three four-horse wagons were moving slowly away from us, and we could just see the teams and men following tho wagons well out of range of tho rifle. , Tho Germans who stayed last in the town had made a stand with machine guns at the end of the town, and then ran " like jack rabbits," as an officer said. There was a small trench behind barbed wire, which we could see like a line of rusty gorse scrub about half a mile in front. There lay our men on tho grass in the open, as men fought in the South African war, under a blue sky and bright sun, sniping at every German who showed his nose. Away to the north, behind somo houses or trees, a machine gun was rattling every now and again. Far behind, on tho horizon, a dark ribbon of smoke trailed away from some village burnt by the retiring. Germans. Our men went through those villages hot on their heels. t Bapaume is less shattered than any town in the Somme battlefield, but more shattered than Albert. Few houses, if any, could bo inhabited. With the taking of Bapaume ,the Australians have left the Somme battlefield, with its frightful shell-shattered surface, definitely behind them. We are out on tho green country now. On tho way back wo met an Australian youngster proudly wearing a bright green ribbon in his buttonhole. No one will grudge the Australians the satisfaction which they feel cm this St. Patrick's Day. No one except Australians were, within mile? of this r»art of tho line. After holding, for five long Months of severe winter, most of the trenches opposite this town, under the appalling conditions of this part of the Somme battlefield, they deserved this honour as richly as any merited in this war.

OTAGO WOMEN'S ASSOCIA-

TION

Socks and handkerchiefs are recuiirod in largo numb< s, and donations of either -will be gratefully received at the Early Settlers' Hall. As tho hall has been engaged for tho Easter holidays, all April dominion parcels nuist bo packed ready for shipping by Saturday. Many workers are welccna daily between 10.30 and 5 o'ciock. Money is required for dominion parcels, which are greatly appreciated by tho boys at the front. The _ executive is arranging for a street collection and sale after Easter, when ''sur prise"' bags will he sold at several stalls. The following donations havo been received—

Domiinon Parcels.—St.. Kilda branch, £1. ss; Mrs Arthur Sidey. £1; "A Game of Bridge," 7s 6d; Dunstan branch, £5; Roslvn and Kaikorai branch. £2 15s; Miss Paterson (Port MolvnemO. 2s 6d; Alexandra branch. £3 10s; Mrs Scott (Alexandra), 2s 6d ; Miss T. Eskdnle (Oronl-ston). ss; Owaka (per Mrs Shaw). £13 8s 9d. Wellington SoHiera' Club.—Alexandra, branch, ss.

OFF TO TRENTHAM. Yesterday 37 recruits left Dunedin by the second express for Trentham camp. Six of the men wore from Duned : n, 28 from Milton, and three from Invercargill, and the drait wont north under the command of Captain R. P. Jones, assisted by Sergeantmajor Bishop. Captain Myers represented tho Staff at the send-oft on tho railway station. The names of tho men are as under: — Dunedin. —P. R. Davidson, — Cronan, A. S. Marettj, R. D. M'Leod, John O'Brien, David Phillips. - Invercargill.—John Ilaston, \V. T. Lemon, Win. Ross. Milton. —Michael Begely, John Cousins, Thos. Cousins, Goo. A. Crawford, Michael Dillon, Frank P. Heaps, Thos. G. Henderson, J. P. ITartstonge, R-cuben A. Hayman. George D- Hyslop, F. W. Jaokman, David Jones, Patrick J. Joyce, John W. Kell, Augustine Ivirby, Jns. M'Noil, Robert _T. M'Lew, Duncan M'lntosh Ernest M'Kcich, McLvdlo Nicol, Chas. Recidifct. Walter Jas. Gtowart. Walter Sim, Aua'ustus Sourdon, John W. Shanks, John Todd, Archibald Twaddle, John M'V. Wilson. These men came to Dunedin m charge of? Staff Ser-goant-major Meade. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. J. Clark) addressed the Dunedin men at Kensington, telling them that the people trusted them, as tney trusted all New Zealand soldiers, to conduct themselves in a manly and soldierly way. Chaplain-major R. Scott Allan offered prayer. The junior band of tho Albany Street School, conducted by Mr J. Rennic, played tho men into town, and also helped at tho send-off on tho platform.

SOUTH OTAGO GROUP. A draft of men fiom Group XVI (South Otago), totalling 27, left Milton by yesterday morning's express, to make up shortages m the 27tti Reintorccmcnts. Following is a list of . those who went forward:— Michael Beglcy (Hcriot), John Cousins (Blue Spur), Thos. Cousins I'luapeka West), G. A. Crawford (Waitahima), Michael Dillon (Kelso), Frank Heaps (Purikir.ki), Thos. Honderson (Hunt's Road), Jas. P. llartstonge (Heriot/, R, A. Hayman (Roxburgh), Geo. D. Hyslop (Waronui), Fred Jackman (Romahapa), David Jones (Millers Flat), Pat. J. Joyco (Whenuakoa), J no. Watt Knell (Waitahuna), Augustine Kirby (Waitahuna), James M'Noil (Milburn), Duncan M'lntosh (Blue Spur), Ernest M'Kexh (Waitahima), Melville T. Nicol (Tuapeka West;, Chas. Redditt (Tapanui), M. J. Stewart (Roxburgh), Walter Sim (Millers Flat), Aug. Sourdan (Dumbarton), Jno. W. Shanks (Milburn), John Todd (Owaka), Arch. Tweddle (Balclutha), Jno. M'W. Wilson (Milton).

CASUALTIES IN FRANCE

DELAY IN REPORTING,

(Pkb United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON. March 27.

General Richardson has advised the Min.ster of Defence, after visiting Franco to inquire into the causes of delay in clearing up untraccd casualties, that the delay is due to the units concerned, and not to the records system. Ihe fact' that some units cleared up casualties quickly showed that others could minimise the delay.

MAORI SOLDIERS

APPEAL FOR FINANCIAL HELP.

iPas UarrcD Peess Association)

WELLINGTON, March 27. A deputation, representing the East Coast Maoris, waited on Mr, Russell (Minister of Internal Atfa'.re) regard.ng financial assistance for Maori soldiers in the Eastern Maori electorate. A board of trustees, of whioli Lady Carroll is a member, has been set up to oollect and administer funds for the benefit of Maori soldiers. Between £10.000 and £11,000 is now in hand, which' is intended to ba invested in farina The trustees thought it would be a good thing to enlarge the scope of operations to cover the dominion, and now de9ire incorporation under the War Funds Act. Tho Minister expressed pleasure at what had been done. He was not certain if the law allowed the incorporation of a national fund for Maoris, as desired, but he would look into the matter. In the meantime,' the district scheme could be carried out, and, if necessary, legislation for a nat;onal scheme could be passed nest session. Tho Government would give all the assistance possible, as it realised fully its responsibility to the Maori members of the liiXpeditionary Forces,

Everyone has been working hard in getting all material made up into garments, as advico has been received that more articles arc required. The executive is delighted with the attendance on Wednesday nights but .there is room yet for a few more workers. The bandage class has been working with extra enthusiasm, and the executive is, with the help of the scoutmasters lornung a bandage night for senior scouts! Xu is believed that this will be a great help as bandages are ever wanted, both in hospitals in England and at the back of the faring line. The country branches are stilP g U P their quota, both in money and

The executive thanks the for donations;— Mrs Ferguson, Miss Macdonald, Miss Given Miss Longford. Mrs Cheeseman, All Saints Association, Miss Allan Miss Evans, Mr and Mr Kennedy, Mrs Mackerras, Mr Charles M'Kellar, Balmacewen Bowling. Tennis, and Crcquot Club, pupils of Maori Hill School (Standard I) goods from Momona, Coal Creek School' Gore, Waitahuna, Roslvn, and Kailrorai, Otagc'Women s Club, All Saints' AssociaFl o ?,' £ „ 0 ' A h an t°n, Lawrence, Gore, and Valley.

The chief speakers at the farewell social tendered to Chaplain-captain Allen at Caversham on Monday night were the Revs. Dr j. infold and R. Fairmaid. It is> worthy of note that froni the manses of each of these reverend gentlemen three sons havo gone forth on active service.