IN THE PACIFIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 3160, 7 October 1914, Page 23

IN THE PACIFIC.

SCHARNHORST AND GNEISENAU. PARIS, October 3. Official: The German cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau on September 22 sank the disarmed French gunboat Zele off Papeete. They disappeared after bombarding Papeete. [The Zele was the small gunboat which shortly after the outbreak of war captured the Gorman turret steamer Walkurc.] GENERAL BOTHA’S CALL TO ARMS. LONDON, October 2. General Botha’s call to arms is meeting with a tremendous response. Complete commandos who served under him in the Boer war are volunteering. CAPETOWN, October 1. The Union forces have had further small successes at Grasplatz and Reitfontein. PRETORIA, October 3. The Boer irreconcilables in German South-west Africa are reported to lave issued an appeal to Boer farmers ever tho border to overthrow, British rule. They offer to send a commando, to pdiich Germany will grant free artillery, arms, and equipment. The Germans are circulating an appeal throughout the native population. FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. LONDON, October 3. The Government is inviting tenders for 15 millions in six months’ Treasury bills. The Australasian Associated Banks have reduced the rate of purchasing drafts by 20s per cent., and the commission on collecting bills on Australia and New Zealand by 5s per cent. The Board of Trade has' completed arrangements for special unemployed grants to trades unions where unemployment is abnormal. The grant amounts to one-third or one-sixth of the association’s unemployed benefit fund. AUSTRALASIA’S ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION. LONDON, October 2. Lord George Hamilton, president of the Bank of Australasia, referring to tho war, said that Australasia had a great advantage, as a large proportion of its exports consisted of ' foodstuffs, which would command enhanced prices. Tho finer classes of wool had received a check, but there was a great demand for wool suitable for khaki, etc., and if tho war were a prolonged one requirements for warm clothing were likely to extend the demand to other classes of wool. The provision that had been made In recent years to meet droughts or a local financial crisis, added the chairman, would be available,to meet the consequences of the war, and tho position of the bank was very strong. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE. LONDON, October 2. The Stock Exchange Committee has postponed the settlement of the August, September, and October Consols accounts, and ordinary accounts up to mid-October until November 18, and the November Consols account until December 1. It has also taken powers to suspend the rules in reference to defaults. These steps are regarded as preliminary to a partial reopening. SEIZURE OF AMERICAN COPPER. NEW YORK, October 2. The British Ambassador in the United States (Sir Horace Spring-Rice) has conferred. with State officials concerning the seizure of American copper carried in neutral vessels for neutral ports, on the assumption that it is destined for Krupps. The Ambassador intimated that Britain would indemnify the owners, and would also not interfere with American shipments of foodstuffs for Holland. President Wilson informed inquirers that Britain had taken up a most friendlyattitude regarding possible non-neutral shipments. He did not doubt that a satisfactory arrangement would be reached. WHEN PEACE IS DECLARED. NEW YORK, October 2. Mr Victor Massen, an American metal manufacturer, who has been commissioned to buy material on behalf of the Russian Government, states that he has. official authority to say that the Kaiser telegraphed the Czar suggesting that he should withdraw his troops from Germany and Austria, and also making suggestions for peace. The Czar sent these telegrams to London and Paris, and the next day the Allies signed a declaration regarding their common terms of peace, and the Czar, in a

speech, declared that he would sign a treaty of peace only in Berlin. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. SYDNEY, October 3. War risks on vessels trading between Australia and Fiji have advanced from 1 per cent, to 2 per cent. MELBOURNE, October 3. The Minister of Defence (Senator Pearce) has accepted Queensland ? offer to raise a bush contingent for the war should their services be required. SYDNEY, October 3. The rabbit trappers have contributed 24,000 rabbits, of the value of £BOO, to the food fund, which now totals £52,000. The Belgian Relief Fund has reached £41,546. The Morning Herald states that some of the seized wheat sold by the Government at 4s 2d was resold at 5s 3d per bushel, the seller taking the point that it ■was sold as chickwheat, which has not oeen proclaimed as coming under the regulation of prices for foodstuffs. GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, October 3. Three hundred actors and 150 county cricketers are serving with the colours. The cricketers include J. W. H. T. Douglas, P. F. Warner, C. O. H. Sewell, C. Blythe, and E. H. Spooner. An officer, writing from the front, says: The great thing is to keep one’s kit small - and watertight. The things most wanted are cigarettes and tobacco, woollen scarves, warm vests, gloves, and, above all, light waterproof capes. The difficulty is to keep the men dry.” Dr Debarine, principal medical inspector of the French forces, states that the sanitary conditions of the allied armies are good. There are fewer sick than perhaps in time of peace. The wounded are attended to with wonderful devotion. In the recent fighting.the enemy’s shell fire was so accurate that the roads were , impossible in daylight. Transport was ‘ possible only at night, and even then the road was shelled periodically. CAIRO, October 2. Sir John Maxwell, commanding the army of occupation, has ordered all Germans and Austro-Hungarians in Egypt to register before the 10th inst., and to obey the conditions whereunder they are allowed to remain, otherwise they will bo arrested.