GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17533, 27 January 1919, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

PARIS, January 21. Tho number of totally blinded among the Allies' forces during the -war has been calculated at 7000 ; those who lost one eye number between 30,000 and 40.000.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CONTROL IN TURKEY. MAY LEAD TO OOMPLCATIONS. ' PARIS, January 22. Le Journal makes tho complaint that British action in Constantinople is forestalling the Peace Conference. It says Constantinople is General d'Espery's headquarters, and Admiral Caltborpe's step appears to be a questionable anticipation of events. France seriously objects to an international regime in Turkey. Tho Peace Conference should not iind itself confronted by any fait accompli. The Echo de Paris says that, while the Turkish interests of Britain and France are identical, the fact remains that Turkey has been regarded as a sort of French colony. _ The journal further states that the British commander at Constantinople has assumed tho position of director of gendarmes, professedly for administrative purposes. It is interpreted here as the first step towards terminating Turkish rule, and will be more interesting as Bosphorus problems arise at the Peace Conference.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ATHENS, January 22. It is reported from Constantinople that Marshal Kiamel and Mahout Pasha have been arrested on a charge of massacring Greeks and Armenians. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE PRINCE AND THE DIGGERS.

PLUCKY AND MODEST OFFICER.

(Special from the Official War Correspondent.)

_ LEVEKKNSEN, January 19. There is no more loyal part of the Empire than New Zealand, and every man in our division is proud of the fact. Therefore it is befitting that our Prince and future King should pay our fighting force the compliment jpf a visit whiio it is still in the held, aim before it returns to its own land. Historically, it is an interesting fact that the heir to the throne has visited us during our occupation of enemy territory. He comes to us as a soldier with the rank of major, to which he has recently been promoted; but he is still wearing his captain's badges, for, as he himself phrases it,' he has not yet "put up his crown."

From the German frontier he flew across the Rhine, his pilot winding up the night wdth some " stunting" over the great waterway. He came on to the New Zealand Division in an open car, and attended only by a young army captain, who usually accompanies him on these joumeyings. The unostentatious manner in which he travels rather appeals to the British army as a whole, and especially to troops from overseas. In his recent visits to enemy territory he has risked the danger of the Bolshevists without guaTd or escort —another fact that appeals to the imagination and sporting spirit of our men. The Germans soon became aware that he was in their midst, but there were not many who recognised him as he walked through the streets of Cologne or entered the shops there to make some ordinary purchases. With his youthful appearance and his two rows of ribands he was taken, as he often is in French towns, for an army aviator. During his stay with us the Prince of Wales spared neither time nor trouble to see as many officers and men of the division as possible. He has mixed as freely with them as if he "were one of themselves, and by his bright manner, his sense of humour, his happy knack of telling a story, and, above all, by the fact that he is known for a keen and plucky, though modest, soldier, who, if he had been permitted, would have gone " over the top" with his men, he has undoubtedly endeared himself to the overseas troops.

Yesterday he had a great day with the " diggers/' mixing and chatting freely with them in the villages where they are billeted, attending a shooting match, where he himself shot, and at a football match. He quite succeeded in breaking through the, traditional reserve of the New Zealand " diggers," who, finding him so approachable, freely questioned him about his recent experiences and his future plans. They were especially interested in his projected visit to New Zealand, where he will be assured of a hearty welcome. This will be all the more enthusiastic because of his visits to our soldiers during the war.