CURRENT TOPICS

Southland Times, Issue 17653, 10 February 1916, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS

BERLIN PEACE RIOTS. The recent violent peace riots in Berlin—more violent than reports at the time showed —were organised not by the leaders of the Socialist party, but by men who were-disgusted by the timidity inactivity of those leaders. It was a few minutes before eight o'clock on the evening of November 30, while the first sitting of the new session of the Reichstag was still taking place, that a huge crowd collected suddenly as though by magic on the Schlossplatz, the large open space in front of the Imperial Palace. After shouting “We want peace” and “Hoch Liebnecht" (the only Socialist Deputy who has agitated openly and boldly against the war), a procession was formed to march down Unter-den-Linden to the Wilhelmstrasse, .Which contains the Chancellery and the Government offices, and to the Reichstag, a little farther on. Opposite the Opera House a short halt was made, the crowd sang a verse of the "Marseillaise," and gave cheers for the International proletariat. Meanwhile the isolated policemen on duty had given the alarm by telephone, and by the time the head of the procession reached the corner of the Neustadtische Kirchstrasse a squadron of mounted police came riding up the Linden at full tilt from the direction of the Brandenburg Cate. The procession at first halted ir- ' resolutely, and then to avoid being ridden down by the police, who were brandishing their swords very fiercely, turned, and ran, but soon rallied and Stood their ground in the Linden between the Friedrichstrasse and the Schlossplatz. In front of the Cafe Bauer the “Marseillaise” was sung again, and on the other side-of the street opposite the Cafe Victoria the crowd sang the German song of labour. Then the mounted police charged repeatedly, belabouring the people with the blunt edge of their swords, until the bulk of the crowd had been driven into the side streets, their direct retreat having been out off by another- force of police which had been hurried up from the Alexander platz to surround the Kaiser’s palace. The spectators at the windows of the Cafe-Bauer and at other buildings along the Linden witnessed the vigorous police attacks on the crowd, and in particular heard how the officer commanding the mounted gendarmes urged Shis men to use their swords with effect. •‘Slash at them,” he shouted, as he set the example at the head of his troops, iln one of the pauses in the struggle the voice of a woman was heard: “Our •husbands must bleed at the front, and liere they want to slaughter the wives.” A score of women or thereabouts who had received sword wounds were removed in ambulances, and about 50 men and, women were arrested. , KAISER'S MOURNFUL SPEECHES. J . The German Government is alarmed sat the mournful tone of the Kaiser's 3-ecent speeches. German newspapers, I it is said, are forbidden to publish them, - as they are filled with allusions to the _ Kaiser’s anxiety and to his preoccupations, and there is no desire to allow the ;«nemy to imagine that such a feeling as anxiety regarding the outcome of the ;>war is possible to the German leaders. It is also said that during the three •days’ conference which the Kaiser held •with Field-Marshal von Hindenburg lie •was exceptionally outspoken with regard «t the gravity of the situation in the northern portion of the Russian front, and to the danger to the German Empire ./ .with it involved. German newspapers ;(says the New York Herald) hint that the lesson of the Kaiser’s recent travels and his extraordinary speeches reveal a condition of mental confusion on the part of the Government and an inabil-

dty to decide on the right measures to adopt. Many newspapers give warning S- VTegarding serious internal troubles, and «ven the censorship no longer is able .to restrain them from publishing their opinions with unprecedented frankness. Tbey assert that the hopes founded on Balkan campaign with regard to •Qhe removal of any prospect of famine in Germany are now seen to be entirely •without foundation. The newspapers add that the greatest danger which Germany now has to face is the increasing spirit of demoralisation which is spreading over the people. .NEW MENACE FOR SUBMARINES, Plans for two types of motor-boat submarine destroyers, designed to have a speed of at least forty-one miles an hour, have been submitted to the United States Navy Department, Models will be constructed at once and tested to determine whether the engines the designers intend to instal will develop power for the required speed. The department recently obtained bids from several boat builders on cruft of this type, but (says the San Francisco Chronicle) there was such wide variation in the power proposed for boats of approximately the same size and lines that a test was decided on to determine just how much power would be required. The boats are primarily intended to be carried aboard capital ships, two to a battleship or cruiser, and to form an inner protective screen against submarines when a fleet or squadron is at anchor or cruising slowly on station at sea. From the experiments with these craft, however, a standary type of motor boat for anti-submarine patrol duty along the coasts and off harbour entrances in times of war probably will bo developed. “Such a boat." said an expert, “is feasible in every respect. The plans, as 1 understand them, contemplate displacement boats. 1 am having built one of these craft. It is eighty-nine feet long, which will have a speed of fifty miles an hour, and a test will be made of the boat in the Spring. These boats can he made to operate at sixty miles an hour, and I believe it will not lie long until such craft are in service as a part of our Daval equipment.”

The Minister for Defence ftlie Hon. «I, Alien i announced in his address to the visiting troops at Auckland on Friday that the New Zealand Tnnnellers, who left Auckland by the steamer Ruapehu on 18th December, had arrived safely at their destination. A local business man Intimately associated with the dairying industry informed the Wanganui Herald that, owing to local values being now higher than those ruling at Home, a big storing of butter was setting in, and in consequence he regarded it as practicaly certain that there would be no further rise in price till at least the winter -was over. Owing to recent rain and good feed, the factories had recently been getting increased supplies of cream, and the outlook for the rest of the season was a good ona«

A. H. Wilson, who leaves Otautau on Wednesday for Trentham. is the fifth volunteer to enlist front the Western Star office employ.

Information was received last evening tiiat an accident had occurred on the North Road, a collision between a motor cycle and another vehicle resulting in disaster. The rider of the cycle was said to have received somewhat severe treatment, but no details as to the clash wore available.

The Western .Star states that .Mr H. S. Beer is at pre.sent negotiating with several gentlemen in Invercargill to give the wounded soldiers a big free picnic up the Pourakino. All the launches will he at the disposal of the party and their friends.

There is, to some extent, a tightness in money matters locally just now (says the Wanganui Herald), and businessmen, including tailors and retailers, complain of difficulty in getting their money in. It is not easy to ascertain the real cause of the tightness, for in other directions, such as entertainments and amusements, there seems to be very little indication of the lack of money.

In ttie Police Court yesterday, before Mr G. Cniicksliank, S.M., Jabcz Hay and Co. were charged, under the Factories Act, with employing a boy under the age of sixteen, without first obtaining a certificate of fitness from the Inspector of Factories. Defendants, in letter, stated that it was inconvenient to attend the court. They explained that they had misinterpreted the provisions of the Act and said that the boy bad previously worked in a Wellington warehouse. He had started work with the defendants with is parents' consent. They were fined 10s, with costs 7s.

In the advertising columns this morning there appears the official list of winning numbers in connection with the Southland Queen Carnival XSOOO art union. In forwarding the list the representatives of Tattersali's state; “The drawing took place at 3 o'clock this afternoon (31st January), in the presence of a very representative audience. The result is certified to by Air J. R. Quinn, who represented the Treasury Department of Tasmania, Inspector Smith, of the Tasmanian Police, Air C. H. Hughes, Secretary of the Union Steam Ship Co., Dunedin, and two press representatives. It also carries the UnderTreasurer’s date stamp, and the signature of D. H. Harvey, manager of Tattersall's Sweeps.”

“Please tell all St. John Ambulance Associations,” says Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Rhodes, M.P., in a letter received by the Minister for Defence in Auckland, "and all other associations sending goods to the front, to mark the cases ‘ for general distribution' if they are for general distribution, or, as the Wellington Centre has done, 'gift packages.’ Otherwise they have to be opened in the ordnance stores, resorted and ro-packed. One case arrived (at Alexandria) a few days ago marked for B Company, not indicating the regiment. On being opened ot was found that almost every packet was for a different unit, one even for an Australian, There is some objection, of course, to showing the contents of the cases on the outside, but a list of the contents can be fastened to the Inside of the lids.”

It is time there was some authoritative statement regarding the future disposition of the Maori Contingent (says the Poverty Bay eHrald). “When the main body of the Maoris was raised it was understood that it was to be a separate and distinct contingent. As. such it was sent away from New Zealand with the promise of periodical reinforcements to be sent forward to maintain its strength. As such it went Into action, acquitting itself in that memorable engagement of 6th-Bth August, when the Maoris and the Gurkhas, with amazing dash, fought their way to the very summit of Chunuk Bair, with such valour that the achievement will live in history as one of the most gallant feats of tlie glorious Gallipoli campaign. And then came disbandment of the Maoris as a contingent: they were split up and distributed amongst various companies, the reason being given that their numbers had been reduced by the casualties of that severe engagement to so low an ebb that it was impracticable to preserve them as ,a separate unit. And so the Maoris returned to Lemnos in October with the rest of the New Zealanders, much disheartened and discouraged at the fact that their identity had been lost."

A reference to the frequent circulation of false rumours regarding matters connected with the war was made by the Governor, the Karl of Liverpool, in his address to the visiting soldiers at the conclusion of Friday's parade in Auckland (states the Herald). His Rxcellency remarked that to those not on parade that day he wished to say that sometimes it had been questioned whether the dominion was doing all it could in regard to the present struggle. He was going to ask the civilian clement, more especially the members of the press, to do one thing which would greatly assist the Empire. All.should do what they possibly could to stop the bad habit which had been growing up of allowing mischievous rumours to he circulated. The press had a great power in the Empire, and he believed that it would exercise that power wisely, and would do all it could to assist the governing parties in the dominion to stop the habit of spreading unfounded rumours. They might ask any -Minister of the Crown throughout the British Empnro, and he would tell them that one of the greatest difficulties lie had to contend with was the practice of spreading these rumours. It would be much better if they would try to see the best side of things and not the worst side. “You will help the soldiers, you will help your Ministers, and you will help everyone throughout the dominion if you •So this,” continued his Excellency.

“There is a tendency among a small section always to give the worst side of everything, but if you can always 'stick it’ you are doing a very great thing, both directly and indirectly, to assist in winning this war. Try to think the best of people and not the worst.”

These arc brutal days, as well as days full of the finest feelings (writes the London correspondent of the Sydney Sun). Otherwise the belligerent nations would turn with repugnance from discussions about filling the gaps made by the killing and maiming of men. It is characteristic of Germany that she has faced til is question with directness and practical sense, though perhaps with less consideration of human feelings than of her future might. In Great Britain there is genuine rejoicing at the step which nature herself is taking to remedy the appalling losses; but few energetic minds have been set to work upon the problem of finding husbands for the widowed and the girls robbed by the war of Hioir destined mates. The increase in boy babies is most marked. Statistics taken for 1196 great towns in England and AValcs show that the proportion of baby boys to girls has steadilv increased during the war. until last month it reached the highest known record of 1054 boys to 1000 girls. The marriage rate has at the same time reached its greatest record 21.8 for each 1000 of population, due largely to the practice of large numbers of young men getting married before they leave for tlie front. These are called “war marriages,” and they flourish in all classes of society. Indeed, it lias become the exception hero, and doubtless has in Australia also, for a young man to go to war engaged, but not married. -Meanwhile, the official birth statistics for ihe principal five towns of Germany show a decrease of I’ll per cent., which means a diminution of mo.ooo births a year in the whole Empire. Statisticians have laboriously estimated that if German soldiers are kept in the held until .July, 1017, there will have been 1,000,000 fewer babies born in Germany than if there hud been no war. When one adds lliese to the huge total of Germany's losses in voting men. one gets a. figure that shorn! act as a deterrent against future aggression. The Berlin correspondent of (lie Gazette do Zurich declares that the decrease is principally due to the growing number of war losses, and the fact that war marriages are now rarely contracted To be sure. Herman soldiers have never had anything approaching the leave granted to French and British and Bel “lan .soldiers, and it is estimated that no more Ilian ■!<> per cent, of them have visited their homes since the outbreak of war. Germany is frankly think of plural marriages for the future. France is anxiously contemplating the fact that she lias a deplorable shortage of boys reaching military age. and ilia! in UI2I Germany will have twice as many soldies as she. But oven France has not. discovered a remedy.

An amusing incident occurred at the opening of the tepid bath at Wellington on Tuesday night (wires a representatives of the Dunedin .Start. The Mayor (Mr Duke.) and the Prime Minister made, an exchange of jocular challenges regarding swimming. Mr Massey did not proceed beyond words, but Air Luke removed bis coat and vest and plunged into the bath water, seven feet deep. The .Mayor, who was weighted by his boots and clothes, failed to swim at all, but a swimming instructor dived to the rescue and brought his Worship out. damp but triumphant.

The question of Imperial trade is becoming a burning one. At the meeting of the Board of Governors of Lincoln College on Tuesday a member stated that a certain ear-clipping machine he had was German-made, costing 5s 6d, and he determined to get a "real Britisher.” lie went to a hardware cstab’ishment in Christchurch and found that the price of a Now Zealand-made machine of the same pattern was 17s 6d. "Did your patriotism stand that?" lie was asked by a felow member. “Indeed it did,” he said. “I bought the 17s Od machine.” The director then chimed in with "Why did you not tell me, I could have got it for you, British made, for Is Gd,”

A statement was made by the Minister for Defence, the Hon. James Allen, in Auckland on Friday, that, at the request of file Minister for Public Health, lie had made arrangements for Dr R. H. Makgill, one of the district health officers at Auckland to be relieved of his military duties in England, and to return to the service of the Department of Public Health. Dr Makgill, who had been for many years District Health Officer at Auckland offered his services to the War Office early last year, and having been granted leave of absence by the Public Service Commissioner, proceeded to England, arriving in London early in July. He was detailed for special work in the chemistry department. with liis uncle, Dr John Scott Haldane, F.R.S., who was then engaged in investigating matters connected with tlie use of poisonous gases by the Germans. For several years past, two district health officers have been stationed at Auckland, but in order that Dr Makgill might give his services to the YZar Office, Dr T. J. Hughes undertook to carry on the duties himself for a year. The work of the office has so greatly increased since the return of invalided soldiers placed new responsibilities on the Health Department, that the Minister recently decided to arrange for the return of Dr Makgill. and. with the assistance of the Minister for Defence, this has been done.

The great need of Southland is now met by the hostel in Bowmont street, opened by Miss Pyle. Ladies and girls can have every comfort at little cost. — (Advt.)

Hard'and Soft Hats, 2/6; new shape Collars, 3 for 1/6. UNDRILL’S Sale, opp. Post-office. x Grey Flannel Lounge Suits to fit men requiring sizes 4 to 6 are on offer at THOMSON & BEATTIE’S End-of-Season Sale -at about half the ordinary prices. Usual prices, 42/6 to 47/6. Special Clearing price 22/6 the Suit. x Buy for prompt cash and save your money. One of the most effective ways of savins your money is to buy for ready money from BAXTER’S —if you buy on credit you keep paying for other people’s bad debts. x The travelling public can obtain all Newspapers, Magazines, Latest Books. /Oi brands of Cigarettes, Tobaccos and Confectionery. No half-holiday at the Bookstall. C. RODGERS, Proprietor, x Have you seen the large display of Ladies' Woven-White Bloomers in PRICE AND BULLEID’S Kelvin street windows. There has been a very big demand for these popular Washing Garments. They are extra large size, and have elastic bands to waist and knees. They are selling at the absurdly low price of 1/9 per pair. Another, line just to hand and shown in the adjoining window is an extra long ribbed Collar Vest for ladies. This is a splendid valuable line, and is selling rapidly: low v-shaped at neck, short sleeves, and well woven, and priced at only 1/-. Special inducements for cash are now the order of the sale in each department, and an early visit will bring its own reward. Price & Bulleid.

The reason why the B.S.A. Company are able to give such good deliveries of the B.S.A. motor cycles is very largely due to the fact that the British Government have recognised the tremendous efforts of the B.S.A. Company to supply various forms of munitions and military equipment, which have been necessary for the successful carrying out of the present war. The B.S.A. Company are turning out such quantities of military rides, machine guns, and other munitions, also a very large number of the special military folding bicycle, having spent something over half a million pounds in the erection of special buildings and plant for this purpose since the outbreak of war. Their Daimler Works at Coventry have also been placed almost entirely at the disposal of the Government, and are turning out huge quantities of motor transport and aeroplane equipment. A large number of B.S.A. motor cycles have also been purchased by the British and the Allies for military purposes. and in view of the tremendous output of other munitions by the B.S.A. Company, they have been allowed to retain a portion of the motor cycle output for the export trade, which is giving an opportunity for the New Zealand agents to obtain good deliveries of this machine. the sales of which have more than doubled throughout the dominion the past year. It is, of course, impossible to sav for a certainty, that future deliveries will be as good, and intending purchasers will be wise to take out of the stocks which are duo to arrive in Invercargill during the next few weeks. G. W. Woods and Co. are Southland Agents for the B.S.A.

It is an often ignored fact which anyone can, however, recognise by a few minutes' reflection, that bad or defeettive sight reacts considerably upon the mind and upon the mental faculties. The eyes is the chief organ of perception and observation, hence any person suffering from poor sight is naturally less keen than one in the enjoyment of normal sight. Spectacles are an essenttial adjunct in all such cases, and Mr K. SOMMEKVILLE, Chemist and Eyesight Specialist Bank Buildings, Dee street. Invercargill .provides the proper spectacles for everv case and at moderate cost. x DO YOU CYCLE TO BUSINESS ? To ride a bicycle to business means a saving of at least 2/S per week in tram fares, and more than that if you buy \our tyres cheaply. An exctptional opportunity is offered by Messrs G. "W. Woods and Co., Federal Buildings, Dee street, for bicycle covers and tubes. Covers usually sold at 12/G are now offered at 4/9; tubes, usual price 5/-, now 2/9. Every cover and tube sold is guaranteed to give satisfaction. x Evervone has a cough or cold sometime or somewhere. So everyone ought to get “NAZOL” the best cough and ••old remedy in New Zealand. In bottle of 60 doses for 1/0. x SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. On page 1— Wanted, hoy. Wanted, milkers. . Wanted, hauler-driver. Wanted, situation as housekeeper. Wanted, assistant for country store. Use Sommerville's Japanese toothache cure. Wallace County Council tender called. On page 6 Grand Pictures at 2 and 6.45. Popular Pictures at 2 and 6.45. .Railway time-table, Mataura Horticultural Show. List of winning numbers Southland Queen Carnival Art Union. N.Z. Railways excursion tickets to Dunedin races. Owner wanted for ewes left in Winton saleyards. Artillery horses wanted. On page 8— Wm. Todd and Co. s weekly furniture sale.