ONE COMMON ENEMY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 21

ONE COMMON ENEMY.

LONDON, March 2

Rome messages state that at the opening of the Italian Chamber there was a magnificent demonstration of the solidarity of the Allies, culminat. ing in an unanimous resolution to send a telegram to the gallant French army for so valiantly fighting at Ver» dun, declaring that separate fronts and separate enemies no longer exist; the Allies are fighting one common enemy at one common front.

PORTUGAL'S SEIZURE OF SHIPS. LONDON, March 2. The German press is furious over Portugal's seizure of interned ships. The Berliner Tageblatt estimates that oot of 1,800,000 total of German tonnage in neutral ports, 270,000 went to Portugal,

600,000 to North America, and 436,000 to South America.

GIFT OP THE NEW ZEALAND

SIR T. MACKENZIE'S STATEMENT. LONDON, March 2.

At the luncheon of the Chambers of Commerce Conference at the Hotel Cecil Sir Thomas Mackenzie said the dominions had accepted the Empire's responsibilities and should share in its councils. Her soldiers had one regret, that they had not fought the Germans. He added : "We in New Zealand had long suspected the Germans. When the Government of which I was a member offered a warship to Great Britain we had one object only—that she would fight the Germans."

GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, March 2

The Under-secretary for War (Mr Tennant), in reply to a question in Parliament, said that 835 officers and 521 civilians were awaiting admission to the Flying Corps. A German wireless message states that the fourth war loan provides for unlimited amounts, bearing per cent, interest at £95, and bearing 5 per cent, interest at £9B 10s, redeemable after October, 1934. The Glasgow metal exchanges have suspended dealing, except in tin, owing to the Government's proclamation against speculation in war metals. A trade deputation will wait upon Mr Lloyd George to-morrow.

Mr Lloyd George announced in the House of Commons that the Government would afford an opportunity for discussing the question of the abolition of payment of members.

Admiral Jellicoe, addressing Russian journalists who were visiting the Grand Fleet, said : "It is difficult for us to go to the Baltic; I would not say that it is impossible. I hope the day will come when Anglo-Russian ships will engage the enemy." In the House of Commons Lieutenantcolonel Lockwood asked when the special rewards for the officers concerned in the Gallipoli evacuation were announced, would the promotions be ante-dated? Mr Lloyd George said he hoped the list would be issued next week. He would not promise that they would be ante-dated.

PARTS, March 2

Official: The German Admiralty officially announces that two French auxiliary cruisers were sunk off Havre. This statement is false. COPENHAGEN. March 2.

Travellers from Berlin report that tens of thousands of women recently gathered in Unter den Linden and marched to the palace, shouting, " Bread or peace." The police scattered the mob. RECRUITING IN AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, March 3. There is considerable comment on the slump in recruiting.

Senator Pearce states that the facts regarding the enlistments are incomplete, and he has good reason for not publishing them yet. He is still of opinion that the number required will be obtained on the voluntary system.

PERTH, March 3

At the annual conference of the Liberal League the speakers urged the systematisation of recruiting. The Chamber of Commerce demanded compulsory service, owing to the impossibility of protecting the primary industries under the present system. They recommend that Lord Derby's group system be adopted.

A NEW ZEALANDBR'S DEATH. SYDNEY, March 3,

Sergeant Victor H. Mercer, a New Zealander, died in Bowral Hospital after 10 days' illness. He participated in the landing on Gallipoli, and was wounded and invalided. Recently he had been acting as recruiting sergeant. He was accorded a military funeral.