GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17325, 27 May 1918, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

EMPIRE DAY. MELBOURN if CELEBRATIONS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. MELBOURNE, May 25. Empire Day celebrations were transformed into an appeal for funds for tho Red Cross, which was enthusiastically responded to by tho public. CELEBRATIONS IN FRANCE. M. POINCARE'S CONGRATULATIONS. THE KING'S REPLY. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Routor. LONDON, May 24. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) Tlie French President (M. Poicaire) has sent a message to the King stating that the whole of France was associating itself in the celebration of Empire Day. Meetings were held in all the principal towns, when the magnificent war effort of Britain and the dominions was explained. The President eloquently refers to the AngloFrench bonds of union, common ideals, and sacrifices. The King, in replying, acknowledges the generous impulse impelling France to honour the day. His Majesty pays a tribute to the splendour of France's achievements and the glorious heroism which cannot fail to be crowncd with a lasting union of the hearts of the two peoples. SOUTH AFRICAN CELEBRATIONS. Reutor's Telegrams. CAPETOWN. May 25. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) Empire Day was patriotically celebrated throughout South Africa. Inspiring addresses were delivered to large assemblages of children in various centres. CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 25. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) Empire Day was observed in London generally. The Union Jack was displayed at all public and many private buildings. Seven hundred thousand school children assembled at their respective schools, and were addressed on the duties of citizenship. The King and Queen attended a patriotic gathering in the Albert Hall, and special services were held in fhe principal churches. Sir T. Mackenzie delivered the Empire Day address at the Edinburgh Hieh School. FRENCH TRIBUTES TO BRITAIN. TWO GLOWING PANEGYRICS. PARIS, May 25. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) It was an imposing celebration of Empire Day 2 also a commemoration of the third anniversary of Italy's entry into the war. There was an immense and enthusiastic audience, including M. Poincaire, members of the Cabinet, and principal officials. M. Deschanel, in an inspiring speech, said the British people, having established civil and political liberty for themselves, became the rampart of European freedom and carried civilisation to the distant seas. Germany had united France and Britain for ever. Germany was drunk with the lust of conquest, and had lost all moral sense. M. Leygues (Minister of Marine) paid a tribute to Britain's naval might, and added that during April more than 400,000 soldiers had been landed in France. AUSTRALIAN CELEBRATIONS. SYDNEY, Mav 26. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) The Empire Day celebrations throughout the commonwealth were marked with enthusiasm and much recruiting activity. SWEDES LEAVE JAPAN. ALLEGED UN-NEUTRAL CONDUCT. TOKYO, May 25. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) M. Wallenberg,' Swedish Minister, and 14 _ prominent Swedes have left Japan owing to allegations of un-neutral conduct. The Allied diplomatists recently refused to meet M. Wallenberg. GERMAN FRICHTFULNESS. BRITISH PRESS DEMANDS. FULL PUNISHMENT MUST BE IMPOSED. LONDON, Mav 24. (Received Mav 26, at 5.5 p.m.) The harrowing details of the sufferings of the wounded in the bombed hospitals, together with fresh revelations of new forms of brutality towards British prisoners, have aroused an increasing wave of indignation, and the newspapers are demanding the adequate punishment of those responsible. The Pall Mall Gazette states that the Government should immediately intimate clearly and definitely that the Kaiser, , members of the Government, and tho four (?poor) creatures commanding the German armies will be tried at the end of the war for their hideous deeds, and made to suffer the full ignominious penalty. ; EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. BRITAIN WILL NEGOTIATE. 1 LONDON, May 25. I (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) i The Cabinet has decided to immediately ; negotiate with Germany regarding tho exchange of prisoners. ( AUSTRALIA'S WAR LOAN. ' LABOUR OPPOSITION BEATEN. ! ■ MELBOURNE, Mav 25. J In tho House of Representatives Mv I Tudor's amendment to the War Loan Bill ( was negatived by 30 votes to 13, and the Bill was read a second time. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Watt says there is no intention to ' raise a new war loan, immediately.