GENERAL STEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17534, 28 January 1919, Page 5

GENERAL STEMS

RETURNING FILCHED GOLD.

BELGIUM GETS BACK HER OWN.

BRUSSELS, January 24. A special train has arrived from Germany with gold valued at 740,000,000 francs, this being specie stolen from Belgium during the war.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CHAOS IN TURKEY.

THE OUTLOOK GLOOMY,

INFLUENCE OF YOUNG TURKS'

PARTY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, January 24. The Turkish Government has resigned as a result of a scandal concerning train contracts.

Tewfik Pasha is re-forming the Cabinet. The Committee of.JJnion and Progress is exerting a baneful influence throughout the whole country, shielding accused of massacres and speculations, and is endeavouring to inflame outbreaks against the Armenians. The New Turks' influential press is inciting similar religious and racial fanaticism.

The outlook for Turkey is gloomy. The people have not the faintest realisation of their present international situation. The evacuation of the Caucasus is now complete, except at Kars. The British occupy Batum, and have joined hands with our Baku forces. Bolshevist troops occupy Vladikavkas and the adjoining district.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

REPATRIATION.

USE OF GERMAN STEAMERS.

LONDON, January 25. It is reported that America gets all the North German Lloyd steamers during the armistice period for the repatriation of her troops. Britain secures a number of German passenger eteamers to convey the Australians homewards.—A. and N.Z. Cable MELBOURNE, January 27. Senator Pearce has departed for London aboard the Marathon (to arrange for demobilisation). PARIS, January 24. Mr W. M. Hughes has been appointed chairman of the Committee on Repatriation.—A. and N.Z. Cable. . BULGARIAN OUTRAGES. EVIDENCE OF APPALLING ATROCITIES. . LONDON, January 25. Official Serbian sources state that the commission investigating the outrages committed by the Bulgarians in Serbia have brought to light appalling atrocities. The names of the responsible officers have been secured.

Among other crimes, people -were burnt alive; women's flesh was torn off with pincers, other women were flogged, tortured, and raped. In another district 500 women were stabbed to death with knives or bayonets —A and N.Z. Cable.