THE TURKISH THEATRE

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 27

THE TURKISH THEATRE

SUEZ CANAL. ROME, November 26. It is officially announced that the Porte has informed Italy that Turkey will not interfere with the free navigation of the Suez Canal. ATHENS, November 26. Djemal Pasha, Minister of Marine, has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Turks operating against Egypt. IN THE BALKANS. STATES SETTLING DIFFERENCES. SOFIA, November 25. The Austrian advance in Servia threatens to cut off Rumania from Western Europe and prevent the arrival of American goods. This fact is likely to cause Rumania to intervene. Servia recently asked Rumania whether she objected to her (Servia) making territorial concessions to Bulgaria. Rumania replied that she was happy to see the quarrels of neighbours adjusted. Meanwhile Germany is making desperate efforts to conciliate Bulgaria. She offered her Salonika, explaining that Bulgaria would be less niggardly in the matter of trade concessions to Germany than Austria would be. LONDON, November 25. Reuter’s Sofia correspondent states that M. Radoslavoff (Bulgarian Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs), in the Sobranje, strongly upheld a policy of neutrality. The majority warmly applauded this utterance. Gormans have liberally subsidised Bulgarian journals, who are daily publishing accounts of brilliant German-Austrian victories and widespread revolts in India, Egypt, Algeria, and Africa. PAYMENTS TO ALIEN PRINCES. LONDON, November 25. In the House of Commons, replying to a question, Mr Asquith stated that Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein is serving with the German army. The questioner asked whether it was expedient to continue the payment of £6OOO per annum for the upkeep of Prince Christian’s family. Mr Asquith said “ the question refers only to an individual.” The House of Lords to-day debated the spy peril. Lord Haldane said that no doubt Germany had organised an extraordinary, intelligent scheme in Great Britain long before the war. The most dangerous people were not aliens, but suborned Britishers. There were 114 officers now detecting espionage. They had searched 6000 houses, and interned 342 suspects. GERMAN MONEY IN IRELAND. LONDON, November 25. The statement is being made that no Irishman can doubt that money is being freely spent in an attempt to spread proGerman disaffection in Ireland. A Dublin report says that both Nationalists and Unionists alike would welcome a clean sweep of the enemy’s work in the form of seditious newspapers. IRON TRADE -CONTRACTS. LONDON, November 25. In the House of Commons Mr J. Ward (Labour) called attention to an article in the Daily Chronicle alleging that an iron trade combine was charging the War Office higher prices than other purchasers. One of the chief participators was concerned in the South African war scandals. Mr H. T. Baker (Financial Secretary) replied that the rumours were merely confused versions of something which had not happened. The Contracts branch of the War Office was well organised, arid had expert civilian assistance. Mr Henderson (chairman of the Labour party) stated that a firm that had been mulcted in heavy damages over the Boer war contracts was still supplying goods to the War Office. He undertook to give the name of the firm. LETTER TO GERMAN EDITORS. LONDON, November 25. The Westminster Gazette publishes an open letter by Mr Justice Chapman, of New Zealand, to German editors. Judge Chapman warns them that although a tyrannical Government does not allow them to tell the truth regarding the Germans’ appalling disasters, a day of reckoning will come between the Sovereign and the people. He adds: “The free unanimity of oversea Britons in supporting the motherland is due to a hatred of tyranny In every form.” CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR SOLDIERS. LONDON, November 26. Princess Mary’s scheme for Christmas

presents to the soldiers has been extended to include British, colonial, and Indian troops fighting overseas. The American warship Jason has brought to Devonport 8000 tons of warm clothing and Christinas toys for equal distribution among the children of the belligerents. AN OPTIMISTIC FORECAST. NEW YORK, November 25. Sir George Paish, Joint=editor of the Statist, leaving for London, stated that the United States was certain to have great prosperity during the war. The straggle was a misfortune that was certain to come later if not now. The world was now consuming its seed corn. That meant nothing hut loss and suffering. For at least a decade after the war Great Britain would he able to reduce her expenses on armaments, and would be likely to be able to defray the entire cost of the war in a few years. Sir George Paish said he expected that the leading Stock Exchange in the world would reopen in January, when lie hoped financial confidence would be generally restored. SOUTH AFRICAN REBELS. OUTNUMBERED UNIONISTS RETIRE. PRETORIA, November 25. Official: Captain Rutherford, with 50 of Eslin’s Horse and 100 South African Mounted Rifles, attacked 300 rebels in a strong position at Rondefontein protected by rugged hills, and furious fighting ensued. Captain Allan King was shot just after binding up a trooper’s wound. Two others were killed and 11 wounded. As it was impossible to dislodge the enemy the loyalists retired. At Hamanskraal seven rebels were killed and several wounded. Commandant Geyser captured four commandants and 50 rebels at Nylstroom. EXPORT OF RUBBER, COLOMBO, November 26. The Loudon correspondent of the Times of Ceylon cables that the export of rubber from mid-east ports is allowed to Australian and Canadian ports and also to other British possessions under Government supervision. The export of rubber is also allowed to Japan, Russia (via Vladivostock), and France. A PRESENT FROM CANADA. OTTAWA, November 25. Several wealthy gentlemen have subscribed a sum for the formation of a machine-gun battery for presentation to Britain. THE KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT. VANCOUVER, November 25. Mr Stevens, a Federal member, announces that evidence has reached him that Germans fomented the Komagata Maru incident and incited the Canadian Hindus against the British Government. FIJI CONTINGENT ACCEPTED. SUVA, November 26 The Secretary of State has approved of a Fiji contingent, and suggests that it join the Australian or New Zealand contingents. The Governor of Fiji has cabled the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments offering them 50 men each. NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, November 25. The Federal Minister of Defence (Senator Pearce) states that Australia’s naval and military forces available for war are 164,631 men. The units completed and accepted by the British Government totalled 28,258 men. AH men coming forward are still being enrolled. The Senate, by 9 votes to 8, rejected Senator Turley’s proposal to re-establish “ wet ” canteens. SYDNEY, November 26. As a result of the dock strike some of the transports have been sent to Brisbane to fit out. CHILIAN NEUTRALITY. WASHINGTON, November 25. The United States Government to-day received representations from the British Government asking for the enforcement of Chilian neutrality against German warships now off the River Platte, but recently using Juan Fernandez, in the Pacific, as a naval base. The department understands that the Chilian Government has despatched two warships to Juan Fernandez to examine the situation there and report. SANTIAGO DE CHILE, Nov. 25. Official: The naval authorities have received proof that German warships violated the Chilian neutrality by slaying for several days at the island of .Tuan Fernandez, capturing two neutral ships, and seizing the coal and provisions of the Valentine, which was sunk within territorial waters. The Government has despatched three destroyers to Juan Fernandez. WARNED BY THE ALLIES. LONDON, November 26. In the House of Commons, Mr Charles Roberts stated that Britain and France had repeatedly endeavoured to secure the removal of the German wireless staff at Cartagena, and also the effective dismantling of wireless on German ships in Colombian ports. Finally they intimated to the United States that they might bo obliged to take protective measures. A similar warning was given to Ecuador respecting the Galapagos Islands.

WASHINGTON, November 25. Much comment has been occasioned by the statement made by President Wilson to White House callers that the United States did not consider itself under any obligation or duty to enforce neutrality upon South American republics. The Colombian Legation has announced that Colombia has decided to adopt and enforce the wireless regulations enforced in the United States against belligerents. GERMAN HYPOCRISY. WASHINGTON, November 25. Count Bcrnstoff has formally lodged a protest to the United States against the Allies’ violation of the Declaration of London. The State Department has informed Count Bornstoff that as the Declaration of London was not adopted by all the Powers and was not agreed to by the belligerents on the outbreak of war as a temporary basis of action, all parties in the United States were entitled to disregard the Declaration and treat matters arising out of the war on a belligerent seizure by the previously existing international law. NAVAL NEWS. LONDON, November 25. When the German submarine UlB was surrendering, lots were drawn to decide which of the crew should sacrifice his life by opening the valves, so as to prevent the vessel’s capture and the consequent revelation of her plans to the British naval authorities. The lot fell on a mechanic. The Admiralty’s report states that the deliberate torpedoing of the defenceless passenger ship Arairal Gantcaume in broad daylight is the best specimen of German methods yet recorded. i A Yarmouth fishing-boat struck a mine and was sunk. Nine of the crew were drowned. The Press Bureau supplies the following total of naval casualties since the commencement of the war: Officers—Killed, 220 ; wounded, 57; prisoners, 5; interned, 46. Men—Killed, 4107; wounded, 437; missing, 968; interned, 1524. GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, November 26. The Salvation Army has contributed five ambulance cars. Civilian aliens interned in Britain are not compelled to work. Those desiring to work are paid the usual wages. The Times, in a leading article commenting on the British occupation of Herm Island, in the Channel, says : “We oust German companies from islands in the Persian Gulf and give them Crown leases in the heart of the English Channel within sight of the coast of France, 70 miles from Portland and 40 from Cherbourg for £l4 yearly. The Prince of Wales is greatly interested in his experiences at the front. He has written two long letters to his Queenmother relating to his doings. The censor opened and officially passed the letters. Under the scheme for the general increase in army officers’ pay, approved second lieutenants will received a minimum of 7s 6d per day, and those promoted from the ranks a minimum of 11s. Sir G. Reid is proceeding to Egypt. On Saturday Air T. Mackenzie visited the leading gumvorks of Sheffield and Manchester. He presided at a recruiting meeting in Manchester. THE HAGUE, November 25. The Kaiser has notified all German diplomatic agents in enemy countries that they may consider themselves free to choose another career. THE SYDNEY-EMDEN ACTION. A GALLANT GUNNER. . COLOMBO, November 25. The sailors who were wounded in the Sydney-Emden action are progressing favourably. A story of real grit and pluck on the part of a seaman named Horne is told by one of his comrades. Horne was the sight-setter of the 6in starboard gun. He was crouched ready for the word of command behind the shield of the gun, when a shell burst just behind us and killed the gun-layer and injured four out of the nine who were serving the gun. Horne got it badly in both legs and shoulders, but he crawled back to his seat behind the battered shield and stayed until ordered below. LONDON, November 26. An eye-witness at the British headquarters states that news of the destruction of the Emden caused immense satisfaction in all ranks. At some places where the trenches are close the news was passed on with comments to the enemy. As a result the Germans fired heavily at our trenches for some time. DAMAGE AT FANNING ISLAND. BRISBANE, November 26. Mr Milward, manager of the Pacific Cable Company, has returned from Fanning Island. He states that the damage done to the cable and property by the Germans amounted to several thousand pounds. Everything has now been restored . aS6»