SUBMARINES STILL ACTIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 17

SUBMARINES STILL ACTIVE.

STOCKHOLM, October 19 British submarines in the Baltic torpedoed the German steamers Soderhamn and Pernambuco, laden with wood and with 5000 tons or iron ore respectively, bound for Germany. LONDON, October 19. A British Submarine captured the Swedish steamer Nike, laden with ore, bound for Stettin. She took the A-essel to Reval (Russian port). THE OBSESSION OF VICTORY. LONDON, October 19. A trustworthy neutral describes Vienna

as very gay, the obsession of victory hav* ing succeeded the agonies of depression. The Austrians are absolutely confident. They rely on Germany, though they dislike the Germans more than ever. They complain that Austro-Hungary does all the work, while Germany gets all the praise. Berlin is openly exultant. Most of the better classes in Germany have concentrated their energies on finishing the war. Conferences of bankers, manufacturers, and agriculturists are preparing a postbellum organisation, and whether the war ends in one, two, or 10 years, Germany will instantly commence to recover her commerc*. The people of Berlin believe that Eng*land is terrified, and that London is partly in ruins owing to the Zeppelin raids. The German Government is cleverly spreading whispers that British Ministers have made approaches for peace. The only shortages are in indiarubber, wool garments, and Havana cigars. Germanv is obviously importing supplied through neutrals. SPIES IN BRITAIN. LONDON, October 19. The Secretary of War announces that two prisoners charged with espionage and court-martialled in London on September 28-30 were found guilty. One of them waa sentenced to death, which sentence was carried out this morning. The other was sentenced to.penal servitude for five years. CANADA’S CHRISTMAS GIFT MORE MEN AND EQUIPMENT. LONDON, October 19. The Times correspondent at Toronto states that the papers are urging that more troops be enrolled in Canada in view of the magnitude of the struggle, and also that no further requests for loans bo made to Great Britain. They urge an everincreasing supply of men, with money, equipment, and maintenance worthy of a Christmas greeting from Ottawa to the Mother Parliament. Canadians are profoundly impressed with the Australasian casualties at the Dardanelles. No other fact has so much convinced them that greater exertions and sacrifices are necessary. VOLUNTARY SERVICE. THE FINAL TEST . LONDON, October 19. Lord Derby, in the course of an address at the Mansion House in connection with the recruiting scheme, emphasised the points of his instructions to canvassers, who are to call personally upon eligibles and see the man himself. They must explain to him plainly and politely the needs of the country, but must not bully or threaten. The secret of the success of his scheme is not to get an unmanageable number of recruits, but so many that they will be able to look forward with confidence to supplying Lord Kitchener’s requirements for many months to come. The whole secret was the overcoming of the present hand-to-mouth ex : stonce. He put aside a suggestion that men be asked to promise to come up on a certain date, as there was no certainty about that. He proposed to put into 23 classes the unmarried men for the first group according to age. Similarly, married men would be divided into 23 groups, and called up as required. A fortnight’s notice would be given before they need actually join. It would be many months before the order of married men would be called on, and the war might be decided before that. If those who enlisted could not bo equipped at the moment, they would be allowed home until they were called up and would he given 3s. a day. This would be the last effort on behalf of the voluntary service. The scheme was supported by all political parties, and there was the utmost harmony in the appeal of the people to recruit for the people. He hoped the appeal would not be in vain. GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, October 19. The Times Amsterdam correspondent states that Dutch banks contributed £163,000,000 to the last German war loan. The Grand Duke of Baden quietened murmurings in that Duchy last week by announcing that the war would soon be over, and there would be no winter campaign. The export of all cotton products, except lace and cotton-waste, has been prohibited, except to allied countries. Spain, and Portugal. Cotton destined for Russia must not be sent bv the Baltic. COPENHAGEN. October 19. It Is admitted that the steamer Preussen rammed and sank a German torpedo-boat, believing it to be an enemy vessel. Fortynine out of a crew of 54 perished. A German torpedo-boat was accidentally blown up in the Langeland Belt, and 14 lives were lost. NEW YORK, October 19. An additional £5,000,000 in gold has arrived, under warship escort, consigned to J. P. Morgan and Co. LISBON, October 20. The Portuguese authorities at Angola have released Maritz. the leader of the South African rebellion, on the ground that his offence was political. AUSTRALIAN FORCES. MELBOURNE, October 20. Senator Pearce states that up to Octobet

13 165,964 men had enrolled in the Expeditionary Forces, of whom 95,975 had been sent abroad, while 69,989 were still in training. GERMANS IN. PUBLIC SERVICE. SYDNEY, October 20. In the New Smith Wales Legislative Assembly Mr Holman tabled a list showing that 63 persons of German birth are in the Government service. The departmental' chiefs reported that the conduct and loyalty of the majority were good. The Commonwealth Government has not attempted to ascertain the number of Germans and Austrians in its employ, and no State has taken action against such employees.