GENERAL WAR NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 17468, 24 March 1915, Page 2

GENERAL WAR NEWS

ROUMANIAN OIL INDUSTRY. Tho number of companies engaged in the petrol Industry in Roumanla at tho end pf 1914 was 94. with a nominal capital of more than 508,000,000 francs, of - wlilch 387,000,000 francs were issued recently. Tlie production of crude oil in Roumanla in the year 1914 readied 1,771,260 tons, which shows a decrease of 64 per cent, as compared with 1913. ATTACKED 'BY AVOLVES. The population of the mountainous regions of the Carpathians is fleeing in terror. The Inhabitants, starving and in rags, are biding in thousands in pits dug among the snow in the mountains. Their peril is increased by fear of wolves, who In desperate hunger are attacking human beings throughout the devastated districts. Since tlie beginning prisoners brought to Kieff include 19 generals, 5300 oflicers, and 194,681 soldiers. FRENCH SOLDIER’S 139 AVOUNDS. What must be tlie record for tho number of wounds sustained by any individual is hold by Rene ABdal, a private, aged 32, who lias been wounded in no fewer than 139 places, and yet survives. Vidal was in a trench near Mont Diddier when a shrapnel shell burst behind him, throwing out countless pieces of metal and riddling bis right leg. None of the wounds was mortal, and Vidal is now able to get about on crutches. CARGO OF CHINESE HAIR. A cargo of human hair, originally consigned from China to Hamburg, was dealt with by the London Prize Court recently, Tlie hair is valued at £250. It was contained in five cases, which were transhipped at Havre and put on board a British-owned steamer for London. The Dresdncr Bank claimed delivery, being instructed by their German office to effect shipment from Havre for German clients. Tho cases were seized in tho Port of London. Tho president condemned the hair as a prize. GOLD AIEDAL FOR KRUPPS. At Hie annual meeting of the League for the Promotion of Industry, which every five years gives a gold medal for tlie most important services rendered to tlie cause of industry, it was decided to confer the gold medal upon Dr Krupp von Bohlen and Jlalhach, tho head of the firm of Krupp. It was decided that the accomplishments of this firm, especially as regarded the appearance of tho 17in. howitzer, "so secret, hut now all the bettor known by its performances,” was to be regarded as “Hie highest point in all industrial achievement.” A LONG AVAR. Airs Parker, sister of Lord Kitchener, in opening the Tipperary Club for the wives of soldiers and sailors of NorthWest Ham, said that from what she gathered from her brother in a ten min- i ute chat which she had with him every fortnight, she imagined that lie thought the war would last a good hit longer and more men were needed. She had seen a number of men who would certainly be the better for drilling and who might bo in the army, but, of course, she was not a doctor and could not look inside them. LOST GERMAN CRUISER. Tho Hamburg Echo states on the authority of Hie Norddeutsches Volksblatl that a court-martial was held at AVilhelmshavcn to try the captain and commander of tho German cruiser A'orck. Tho vessel sank after striking a mine when returning from the raid on Yarmouth and over 300 lives were lost. The officers were accused of disobedience to orders, of negligence in occasioning the loss of their ship, and manslaughter, and wore found guilty. Captain A’ieper was sentenced to two years’ confinement in a fortress and Commander Clevo to one year's confinement. G ERA! AN AMAZONS. Among the German prisoners taken in the recent fighting in Poland, says a Petrograd correspondent, there were several women, seven of whom were brought for treatment to one of the local hospitals. Despite the utmost care, four of them succumbed to their injuries, and the condition of tho other three is very serious, as all of them were wounded in bayonet attacks. The women served in Hie cavalry, and their muscular development leads to Hie belief that they were members of athletic sovieties. while their manner and their speech leave no doubt of lluir superior social position, ” GERMAN!' IS AVICED.’ The top standard in an infants’ school in the provinces were recently asked to write their views on the war. The longest essay consisted of ]3 words, while the shortest was "Germany is AA’ieed.” Other literary efforts were as follows : “Aly uncle is going to fight with a big canan.” "The Kiselier is a bad man." "We are tinting against Lillie Bill, big Bill, and fransis.” "He is a wicked man and his son, loo." “Our soldiers file in trenches. Tlie salar fite in ships.” OFFICERS AVITH LINKED A RAIS. Descriptions have already been given of the scene when the Bluchcr sank, but one incident is reported which does not appear up to Hie present to have been recorded. From the, deck of a British warship the Blucher was seen slowly to heel over. It was evident she could not last many minutes longer. Then those who were watching Hie last struggle saw a sight which touched Hum profoundly. A number of oflicers climbed on the side of the ship as she turned over, shook hands with each other, and Hum stood with linked arms until Hie vessel was engulfed beneath Hie waves, apparently making no attempt whatever to save their lives. RECTE!) ENERGA', Afarcel Dnhamel, Zouavo volunteer, after fighting bravely at the front for the first four months, received a week’s leave and came to Paris. There lie quarrelled with a man named Lacroix, whom In' stabbed in Hie back with such vigour* Unit Hie knife remained in tlie wound. Lacroix recovered, and Duhamei appeared in court on tlie charge of attempted murder. His advocate look Hie line that tin 1 best place for a gentleman so handy with cold steel tins in Hie front line of trenches. "Ves." interrupted the magistrate. " and I hope it will be in the back that lie slicks, the Bodies, for (hat; will show that they are running away.” Dnhamel was given the nominal sentence of one nionlh’s imprisonment, after serving which lie is to ho sent Boche-sticking. RUSSIAN SOLDIER CARRIES HEAVIEST KIT. Nearly all the soldiers belonging to Hie warring armies have to carry about with them in tlie field a kit which ranges in weight from 3Slh to Glib. Tlie equipment generally comprises a rifle and bayonet, with rags and so on for keeping them clean, an entrenching tool, and, of course, a number of rounds of ammunition. Then there are various articles of clothing, with changes, and a first aid outfit. All the soldiers, with one exception, entry a knife, fork, and spoon, water hoi He, and mess tin. The Russians. who are Hie exception, carry a wooden spoon only, which they keep in their hoots. Tlie Russians carry most, Hie weiglit working out at fillh, while tho British, French, and Germans como next in order, carrying weights of 471b, 441b, and 3Slb respectively.