FOR GERMAN CONSUMPTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3201, 21 July 1915, Page 31

FOR GERMAN CONSUMPTION.

ROTTERDAM, July 17. Mr Churchill, in the course of an interview with a Nieuwe Rotterdarasche Courant representative (censored in London), said : “Had Antwerp been able to obtain transport along the Scheldt, she need not have fallen, and the Belgians would have been able to maintain their position on the Nethe instead of the Yser. Hoiland’s neutrality was not onesided. She now holds Antwerp closed for the Germans. Don’t misunderstand me. Had the Netherlands allowed the violation of neutrality, she would have been attacked, and perhaps occupied in great part fay a German army. The" Allies carefully respected the Netherlands’ right as an independent State to consider her own interests. The Allies did not ask, or even hint, for a passage along the Scheldt. The danger never threatened from our side. A free Netherlands cannot exist with a German Antwerp. There are possibilities of real danger, because Germany may be forced to attack Holland. Germany is getting into the position of A WILD BEAST IN A CAGE, which sees the flames coining nearer and nearer, and makes desperate

dashes to left and right. Fortunately there is your good, brave army, and then there is your wonderful waterline. After this war the position of small States will be stronger than ever. The criminal who has thrown himself upon little Belgium will stand, after his chastisement, as a fearful example.” Mr Churchill ridded : “The Allies are going to win. The world stands open to us. We can recuperate and strengthen ourselves as often as necessary. Britain’s determination and power will grow monthly. The men are streaming in, and we are unable to equip them as quickly as they offer themselves. Our industrial resources are being thoroughly organised, and on* production of ammunition will be staggering. Our fleet continually grows stronger. The Italians have joined—they are fresh, —and more will fob low. Is it strange that the British were not as strong as the Germans on the first day? These people had prepared themselves for 40 years; we had to expand while fighting and partly to improvise.” AMSTERDAM, July 17. The Nieuve Courant, commenting upon the Churchill interview, says : “It confirms the fact that Dutch neutrality has nothing to fear from England. The interview gives satisfaction in Holland.” CHAUNCY RAILWAY STATION BOMBED. PARIS, July 17. Official : Ten aeroplanes dropped 46 75-millimetre shells and six heavy bombs on the railway station at Chauncy, where important depots of material are concentrated. The outbreaks of two hies were noticed. EMPLOYMENT FOR RETURNED FIGHTERS LONDON, July 17. The Board of Agriculture has appointed a committee, under the presidency of Sir H. Yerney, M.P., to promote the settlement and employment of discharged soldiers and sailors on land in England and Wales. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. SYDNEY, July 18. The Australia Day Fund now totals £70,000. Last week’s recruiting beat previous records; 2240 enlisted. A Business Committee has been formed from both sides of the House to assist the recruiting campaign. Messrs Holman and Wade will speak at thy principal centres of the metropolis and country. Mr Y. Taylor, known as Captain Penfold, aeronaut and aviator, has enlisted. Those New Zealanders under 21 years old who have arrived here with the intention of enlisting, but lacked their parents’ authority, have cabled for such consent. Where it is received this cabled affirmation is accepted by the authorities. The Chamber of Commerce, acting on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand consignees of goods on the German-Aus-tralian Company’s ships lying in the Netherlands and India, having no bills of lading, seeks indemnity from possible action for handing over the cargo, and an order has been gazetted permitting any banking company to give the necessary indemnity. The secretary of the British Immigration League lias been advised by the Lands Departments of West Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand, that it has been decided to allot land and provide homes for soldiers and sailors after the war. MELBOURNE, July 18. The Amateur Turf Club has decided to give all profits at its meetings to the patriotic funds until the end of the war. The Victorian Racing Club distributed £76,849 in stakes during the past year, and £14,455 were hand to patriotic funds. Senator Pearce has stated that men are not sent into the firing line until they are efficient shots. Those remaining inefficient shots after training are drafted into the Army Service or the Army Medical Corps. AUSTRALIAN WAR CENSUS BILL. MELBOURNE, July 17. In the Federal House the War Census Bill passed all its stages. During the debate Mr Greene said he did not think sufficient questions about its details had been asked. The Government might have ascertained how far it was possible to organise certain industries. Mr Bamford claimed that as the Ministry was willing to institute conscription, why not have it now ? Mr Fisher: Anybody associating this Bill with conscription is wilfully misleading the public. Mr Hughes said that if the information sought had been in the possession of England and Australia before the war would have been impossible. He for one would never send men out of the country by force to fight. When the time came to do that the country would be rotten to the core, and not worth fighting for. THE LIVERPOOL CAMP. SYDNEY, July 18. The precis of the complaints and charges against the administration of the Liverpool Camp includes alleged general insufficiency of equipment, clothing, rifijs, ammunition, and-bedding; unsatisfactory hospital arrangements ; callousness and indifference of the doctors (a German doctor with German sympathies); draughty huts ; preferential treatment in the German Concentration Camp; horses without food; restrictions

placed upon officers’ leave ; excessive centralisation ; and discouragement of initiative. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY SITTING. SYDNEY, July 17. Before the Liverpool Commission several soldiers gave evidence of lack of underclothing, also bread and stores. Several who should have left on the Berrima were only put off at the last moment through lack of space. Some men had only one day’s rifle training and a few weeks’ general training before their despatch, and were forced to leave their kits aboard tbff Berrima and borrow clothes from other men in camp.