NEWS BY CABLE

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 29

NEWS BY CABLE

FROM AUSTRALIAN EXCHANGES. A ROMANCE OF THE WAR. London, November 22. Renter's correspondent at the British Headquarters, givintr further particulars of" the famous Hindenburg tunnel, says:— "It is 13 miles long and 40 feet deep. It was sown with mines, and why these failed to explode when the electricians switched on the contact is one of the romances" of. the war that cannot yet be told. Suffice it to say that we hadl cut the wire _ leads. The tunnel is virtually bomb-proof, and contains, nests of chambers, from which large quantities of food, drink, and tobacco are being unearthed." CLERGY SUPPORTS KAISER. "Washington, November 22. An official message from Berlin says that the Catholic clergy have allied themselves in support of the ruling House and nionarchistic institutions, rejecting the principle of the sovereignty of the people. Y.M.C.A, RAISES LARGE FUND. New York, November 22. A fund of £7.000.009 has been, raised by the Young Men's Christian Association for the benefit of American soldiers taking part in the war. BELGIUM'S LOSSES. London, November 22. In- a. message from Paris The Times correspondent says that M. do Broqueville,. the Belgian Premier, states that the German depredations in Belgium in the first s : x months of the war represented £320.000.000. "It is impossible," the Premier' adds, "to estimate the total when the comprehensive thieving includes even window fixtures, bedding, clothes, and statues front* cemeteries. The depredations are designed not only to- help the German war industries, "but to destroy the trade of a rival after the war." SOLDIER LORES LAW ACTION. London, November 23._ Louis James Seymour, music hall artist and play producer, now a soldier, sued William (publisher) and Billings and Sons (printers) for defamation of character, alleging that his name had been applied to an immoral character and •'sponger" in Mr George Moore's novel, "Lewis Seymour and Some Women." Evidence was given by Louis Seymour that he had received 1 letters from comrades, and that the merciless chaffing to which ho had been subjected indicated the general belief that he had been pilloried'. His wife had written to him curtly demanding an explanation. Mr Moore gave evidence that the alleged defamation was unintentional, as he did not know the plaintiff. A verdict was given for the defendants, with costs. CANADIAN SOLDTER MURDERED. London, November 23. Sensational developments are expected in connection with the murder of a Canadian private at Waterloo. Two Australian privates f have been arrested and charged with beinrr absent without leave. One is a well-known Queensland athlete. The police are searching for a civilian, who is alleged to have been the leader of a trio of sandbaggera. WINE INSTEAD OF BEER. London, November 23. A statement issued by the Official Press Bureau says: " Lord Rhondda, the Food Controller, in announcing the release of the shtis quantity of wine from bond as in 1!... 6, hopes that all able to afford wine will refrain from drinking boor, the production of which is strictly _ limited, with a view to conserving supplies of grain and sugar. The Cabinet is anxious to check the increased demand for spirits, and to bring a

larger proportion, of beer within tho reach of tho workers." TURKISH POST CAPTURED. London, November 24. An official message from Aden says: "We captured a Turkish post at Jabir, 15 miles northward of Aden. Losses were inflicted, and the enemy's defences destroyed."