A DEADLY BLOW

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 197, 24 September 1914, Page 7

A DEADLY BLOW

SINKING OF BRITISH CRUISERS —

SEVEN HUNDRED SAID TO BE SAVED

• ■' •- SURVIVORS* THRILLING STORIES GERMANS NEAR RUSSIAN FRONTIER; BRILLIANT FRENCH SUCCESS TURNS GERMAN RIGHT, Further details are to hand concerning the disaster to Britain % the , ainking of three of her cruisers by German submarines in the North Sea, Seven hundred are thought to Have been saved. It is confidently asserted tnat the Cressy, as she was sinking, destroyed two German submarines. The survivors were picked up: by « Dutch steamer, some being transferred to British torpedo boats, and the others taken to -Holland. A German crui*er off Penang has sunk a ,large British steamer, the passengers being given less than half an hour to make good their escape. The Germans are reported to have landed at Memel, the most northern town which is close to the Russian frontier, and also to have invaded Russian Poland. , • .■ In Galicia all the fortifications are said to have fallen, with the exception of Przemysl and The Russians have commenced the siege of the former fortress.: "-. *. Late cables announce that after terrific fighting, the German ngbft appears to have beeh turned. The French have taken St. Quentin. The Belgians are advancing against the German Army corps based on Brussels. . Thrilling details are given of a .gallant bayonet charge by the Irish Guards, and of the Germans treacherous abuse of the white flag, when a number of the Guards were murdered. * A proclamation issued by the Commonwealth Government entirely .' . ioibids the export of meat, wheat, or flour. f The British: warship Berwick, operating in the North Atlantic, has . captured a German merchant cruiser and two colliers with large quantities of-coal'aboard.

By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright,

SEVEN HUNDRED SAVED.

ABOUKIR SINKS IN FIVE MINUTES. OTHER VESSELS SOON FOLLOW -■■?■■■■>•'••'■■ ■-•'••' -HER.' ' UUJDED STJRyiVORS TELL THEIR STORY. LONDON, September 23. The steamer Flores has landed 387 survivors, including a few wounded and «ne dead. The survivors state that the Aboukir was,hit in several places about 6 o'clock, and she disappeared in five minutes. The others, apparently thinking that «he had struck a, mine, rushed to her assistance.

The Hogue, after lowering her boats, -was bit, and she soon sank. The Cressy reported two sub- - marines, but was torpedoed afterwards, ~ and' sank at 8 o'clock* Thirty uninjured officers have been landed at Harwich. > ' f It is believed that seven hundred have

EARLY MORNING DISASTER.

"been saved. Captain Nicholson,oosf s the Hogue, served as a midshipman in the Calliope, when she steamed out of Apia in the teeth of a hurricane, and when German -ireasels were lost.

[The Flores is a Dutch-owned steamer of 3610 tons, built in England in 1899.] [The Calliope, along with two Ameri•an and two German warships, were stationed at Apia -in 1899, when there -was war amongst the Natives of..the Samoan Groups, the warships being detailed to .watch the interests of their -respective - There ; is no real harbour in Arjia, only anchorage within a circle "of reefs, and so when a terrific hurricane arose one evening the vessels began to drag their anchor and «lrift towards the reefs. It was practically hopeless to try and weather the storm, and the only chance was to »team out towards the open sea in the teeth of the gale. The officers of the German and American ships had no possibility of up sufficient steam in time to make such an effort, and they recognised that destruction was inevitable. But the commander of the Calliope determined to take the chance. He had his fires burning and his bunkers stored with particularly hard coal, from the Westport mines, with the "Welsh coal esteemed the best stea'mprodiicing coal in the world. Slowly the Calliope battled her way out through the reefs, forcing her way foot by foot against the hurricane, and as *he gradually fought her way out she was greeted with cheer after cheer from the men of the doomed American ships. She made her way at last into the ocean, mainly because of the quality of her coal, and the episode has gone down in history not only as a tribute to British determination, but also as a tribute to the qualities of Westport coal. J

HOW THE SURVIVORS WERE SAVED. CRESSY FIRES AS SHE GOES DOWN. SENDS TWO SUBMARINES TO THE BOTTOM. (Received September 24, 9.55 a.m.) ; LONDON, September 23. An Ijmuiden correspondent states that the British survivors were clad in

all manner of clothes; some in Dutch soldiers' khaki The cruisers' crews were largely reservists from Chatham.

The Flores' captain saw only the

kjeived'.by his. Excellency the Governor 'from the Admiralty:—

The attention of officers in command is called to the necessity of strict reticence in all matters relating to the movements and operations against the Fleet. Interviews and letters from the Fleet are appearing in the Press, giving information •which should not be made public, and it appears, from private telegrams correctly addressed to ships at their base, that information on this point must -have been conveyed in letters from these ships. Such lapses in secrecy may have serious effects on public interests and as they cannot always be controlled by the censorship, the patriotic co-operation of all ranks should be invited.

I His Excellency hopes that this request will be strictly adhered to.

GERMAN RIGHT TURNED.

AFTER TERRIFIC FIGHTING.

FBENCH "TROOPS' SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT.

(Received September, 24, 12.19 p.m.) LONDON, September 23.

• After terrific fighting between Peronne and Saint Quentin the German right appears to be turned. The Germans ; occupied Peronne ..on September 10, holding a -strong position, with hills behind them and marshes- in front. '"".'.' . . " » •The ■-■ French were -ordered take -the position at all costs, and bombarded the German trenches with, their artillery. / ' " • . : " -■; ■..-.. ■ '■> ■■■:■■ \< ■ ■ ■'■■:■■ „ ■

The Germans stubbornly held.their guns on the heights, causing severe execution, among the French. The latter advancing .■' in several narrow column's; and bayoneted the Germans in the trenches. They gained the position, the Germans falling back to Saint Quentin.

French . reinforcements arrived and pursued the Germans. In the suburbs there was savage -street fighting, and the Germans -were driven back T until they were ordered to abandon the town. The Germans are now making an effort to re-take the town.

GALLANT BAYONET CHARGE.

IRISH GUARDS STORM POSITION. GERMANS TURN TAIL A*TD FLEE. (Received September 24, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, September 23. A wounded noncommissioned officer relates how, at the battle of the Marne, the Irish Guards were selected to dislodge the enemy from a commanding position. The Guards, under a hail of shrapnel, reached a knoll, eight hundred'yards from the enemy, who maintained a heavy rifle fire. Leaving a force to hold the knoll w the rest crept round to the Germans' left, and gradually edged to the German trenches. '* The whole battalion,'' he adds, "lined up two hundred yards away for the final rush. A ridge was crowned with the enemy's machine guns, which were firing continually) but.' we fixed bayonets and charged under a fiendish fire. With a wild : whoop we,, readied the trenches. The. Germans desperately attempted to reply to us with the bayo : net, then they, wavered and broke. The j centre . ran like hares, thrOAyiiig down their arms.:'.,- We bayoneted and shot them down in dozens until we were exhausted. The Germans who did hot escape surrendered."

Gressy. ~:.-., >• He at first knew, nothing of what had happened, but- he saw her suddenly heel and go down. He lowered his boats, and .picked up the survivors, who were clinging to rafts and pieces'of timber. Several English sailing boats are bringing more survivors to Ijmuiden. All the spectators agree that the Cressy. was firing as she sank, and sent two German submarines to the bottom. This is not coufirmed officially.

"It. is stated that the British . destroyers appeared as the Flores was getting ready to steam away. [ljmuiden is a fortified town of the Netherlands,, in, North Holland, eight miles from Amsterdam, at the mouth of the River Veeht, in the Zuyder Zee.]

DEAD AND WOUNDED LAND BD IN i HOLLAND. " _ | . OTHERS TRANSFERRED TO .-■• BRITIS- SHIPS. (Received September 24, 10.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, September 23. ] ■- A Dutch steamer has -landed- eighteen wounded and five dead from the sunken cruisers. She had originally 114 survivors, but transferred the others to British torpedo boats. The disaster is said to have occurred at 7.30 on Tuesday morning. ANOTHER BRITISH SHIP LOST. CITY OF LINCOLN SUNK. TROUBLE AT SINGAPORE AND .JAVA. . (Received September 24, 10.45 a.m.) PREMANTLE, September 24. Passengers by the steamer Paroo, from Singapore, report that the City of Lincolmwas sunk off Penang by a German cruiser.

HOPEFUL AT ALL POINTS. ADVANTAGES TO THE ALLIES. GERMANS AND THEIR PRISONERS. "Thnitx" and "frtidney Hun" Services. (Received September 24, 8 a.m.) LONDON, September 23. ''The Times,' J in a leader on the battle of the Aisne, says: —All along the

The passengers were given twenty - nine minutes to leave the ship. A grave state of affairs exists at Singapore, where all the tin mines have been closed, also at Java, where paper ■money is useless.

[The City of Lincoln was a steel screw steamer of 5867 tons, ami was only three years old, having been built in 1911 by Palmer and Co., of Newcastle (England) for her present owners., the Ellerman Lines, Ltd. Her length was 442ft 3 breadth 53.4 ft, and depth 30.9 ft.].

THE ADMIRALTY'S MESSAGE. NEWS OP THE PLEET. AN APPEAL FOR SECRECY. The following message lias been re

line the signs are hopeful ami at all points there are indications of the advantages gained. The Germans are paying flattering respect to the British. Thirty thousand French prisoners at Maubeuge are guarded by two hundred Germans, while seven British have thirty guards.

ABUSE OF WHITE FLAG.

IRISH GUARDS SHOT DOWN.

FRENCH LEFT REINFORCEMENTS,

(Received September 2.1, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, September 23,

An Irish Guardsman, who was wounded, reports that the Germans at the battle of the Aisne hoisted the white flag, but the British, in advancing to secure their prisoners, were Subjected to a terrible fire from concealed batteries, and none of them were able to walk fiom the field.

The "Daily Telegraph's" Bordeaux correspondent states that it was General Caveluen, not General Pau, who brought up 200,000 reinforcements to Sir John French's left, and determined the German retreat after the battle of the Marne. • » *

GERMANY'S WAR LOAN.

SAID TO BE SUBSCRIBED.

BELGIANS ADVANCE ON GERMANS INDIGNATION IN BERLIN. DENIAL OF VANDALISM. (Received September 24, 12.15 p.m.) ANTWERP, September 23. Several divisions are advancing against the German Army Corps, based on Brussels. AMSTERDAM, September 23. Headquarters at Berlin indignantly protest against the accusation that the German troops, for lust of vandalism, destroyed historical monuments, and deny that the Rheims Cathedral was used as a mark for bombardment, adding:— ' .

'« lf it be true that the Cathedral has suffered, nobody deplores it more than ourselves."

OSTEND, September 23. The Germans in Belgium arc still going southward.

FIGHTING IN GALICIA.

FALL OF FORTIFICATIONS.

SIEGE OF PRZEMYSL COMMENCES,

(Received September, 24, 10.15 a.m.) ROME, September 23.

The "Tribuna's" Petrograd correspondent states that all the fortifications in Galicia have fallen except Pr/.emysl and Cracow. The siege of Przemysl has commenced.

WILL THE SERVANT GIRLS BE

PAID?

(Received September 24, 9 a.m.) LONDON, September*23.

British ladies from Germany state that the war loan has been subscribed, even servants giving their savings. They have been promised that their money will be.returned with interest at 5 per cent, out of the French indemnity.

jPrzemysl is on- the fivear San, 151 inSies' of -Lemberg, and is very strongly fortified. . Cracow was formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Poland, and is 158 miles S.S.W. of Warsaw. The population in 1900 was 91,323. The city has comparatively recently been converted into, a fortress by the construction of outlying forts.] r

A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

PROBLEMS FOR RUSSIA.

GERMANS LAND AT MEMEL. INVASION OF RUSSIAN POLAND.: '.' -\ .. . v -——'■■..■. .•'-•.;•■ :. ... . (Received September; 24, ; 10.15/a.ni.) LONDON, September 23. The " Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent states that the Getmans have landed at Mcmeland penetrated' to Juburg. Others from the Masuriaai Lakes occupied Suwalki ahd v Maryampol, and were checked there on Friday..

KAISER BE CRUSHED. GERMAN HUMANITY LEAGUE'S MANIFESTO. i (Received September 24, 9 a.m.)'' ■■.■'■:'/■■■%■ LONDON, September 23. The German Humanity League has issued an appeal to the civilised -world from Rotterdam, wherein it states:— The inevitable end of the war will be the deposition of the despot, whose true aims and character have • been nakedly revealed. As men passionately devoted to the Father- . land, we owe ao bQimden. duty to every man caring fotj the welfare of mankind to join hands in arresting--, the Kaiser, and the men around him, who are responsible for the ap-, palling crimes of the last five weeks. The lasting interest of the German wage-earner will only be served by the victory of the Allies. Prussia's domination of Germany must be crushed and swept away for ever. WITH THE FRENCH FLEET. OPERATION'S AT CATTARO. DELAYED FOR COMBINED. ATTACK. \ , "Tiims" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received September 24, 8 a.m.) LONDON, September 23. Operations against Cattaro by the • French fleet have been suspended and will not be resumed until a combined naval and military assault can be made. A number of Austrian warships which are at Cattaro have made several unsuccessful attempts to escape the vigilance.of the French fleet. The Rumanian mission to Rome has established a perfect accord between the two-nation's-in regard-to the political situation.

Seventy-three German and thirteen; Austrian vessels detained or captured in Russia are gazetted.

[Mernel is the northernmost towii of the German Empire, at the north-east end of the Baltic Sea, and quite close to the Russian frontier. , Suwalki is a town in Russian Poland, the capital of the province of the same name, and .which....borders on Prussia. The province, has an area of 4846 square .miles, and is bounded on the north''-and-cast"'by the river Memen. Maryampol is a town of (3298 inhabi-. tants, 36 miles north-east of Suwalki.]

IN EAST PRUSSIA.

GERMAN CONCENTRATION EXPLAINED. "OUR CRITICAL DAYS." "Times? and "Sydney Sun" Serviets. ..(Received. September 24, 8. a.m.) LONDON, September 23. The cause for the concentration of eight German army corps in East Prussia is considered to be political rather than strategic. It. is evident that Germany will conccntrat" most of her troops at Breslau, which will keep open the interior lines of communication in Prussia. ■?■ '.-•-.

The Zeitnngj" in an article, says:-r- . These, are our critical'days. Every competent judge knew that our cne- • jhies would not be easy to overcome aiul. that .we would have to deal with capable and brave opponents.

The remainder of the article draw-s a gloomy picture, and discusses the peace I prospects. ...... .

CIRCASSIANS . SURPRISE.

A DARING RAID.

SLAUGHTER OP. GERMANS. (Received September 24, 12.15 p.m.) PETROGRAD, September 23. Sixty Circassians entered Ozestochow and overpowered the German patrols. They then entered the cafes, slew the German officers, and withdrew without loss.

EXPORT ?ROHIBITED.

MEAT, WHEAT, AND FLOUR. A COMMONWEALTH PROCLAMATION. (Received September 24, 10.45 a.m.) ' MELBOURNE, September 24. A proclamation has been gazetted prohibiting the export of wheat and flour. Another forbids the export of meat, revoking the previous proclamation limiting the export to the Dominions. ; THE ALLIES' ATTACK. LITTLE CHANGE IN POSITIONS. CAPTURE OF PRISONERS AND MOTOR CARS.

PARIS, September 22

It Is Officially stated that in *lm Wocvre district the enemy made a violent attack on the heights of the Meuse, on Tresauvaux - ViguenettesHandieourt front, -but were unable to gain a footing: the heights. The enemy on the French right in Lorraine again crossed the frontier, and with th~ services of small columns reoceupied Domeux, south of Blamont.

On Sunday and Monday the Allies captured 20 Supply motor cars, and a number of prisoners.

The enemy along the entire front of the Oise and the Woovre was active on Monday without appreciable result. The enemy on our left, on the right bank of the Oise, was forced to give ground. The situation between tho Oise and the Aisne is unchanged. The enemy did not make a serious attack. There was a continued and prolonged cannonade on Monday evening.

The enemy between Rheims and Louvain attempted the offensive, and was repulsed. The Allies made some progress between Louvain and the Argonne. There is no change between the Argonne and the Meuse.

FRENCH EASTERN ARMIES.

OCCUPATION OF GERMAN VILLAGES. BELFORT NOT ATTACKED. LONDON, September 23. "A correspondent Avho has been touring in the Dijon and Belfort region, supplies the first intimate news of the doings of the French eastern armies. The French have occupied, German villages* are holding them for outpost purposes. Belfort has never been attacked, although Germany reported its capture.' ;The French - defended the village 1 of Montreiix Vieux. When German infanjtry approached the canal, boundary, a French sergeant rushed out under a heavy fire and coolly lowered the canal bridge, earning a decoration. The Germans retreated under a heavy fire. Bucharest papers express satisfaction at the success of the Allies. REFUGEES FROM BELGIUM. GERMANS DESTROY VILLAGES. SHOOTING OF CIVILIANS. LONDON, September 22. Fifty-seven thousand refugees, mostly

Belgians, have arrived at FaJkestonl in '2l '.d&ySi'-f,- ;■.: ■;,■:-, .;■.'•• - - [■'-_ A bag belonging to a Prussian officer captured at Verdun contained a number of iron crosses inscribed '■''■' Paris, 181 i--1914.'' These were intended as souvenirs of the Germans' entry into Paris. They have been distributed among British and French soldiers.

Reuter 's Ostend correspondent says the Germans are entrenching strongly between Wavre and Louvain and Geiubloux and Wavre.

The Belgians are preparing a warm, reception for the German right if it is driven back. West of Charler.oi the Germans have mined various roads" leading to , Brussels' and taken other precautions again !. a forced retreat.

killed them with mitrailleuses, including the aged burgomaster and his two young daughters. • The resit, of the in* habitants were forced to bury theil fellow'C-ifcrzensj,

THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE.

OCCUPATION OF JAROSLAV. •.., HUNGARIAN REGIMENT WIPED ; ';.■>;• '■ ■ OUT. PETROGRAD, September 23. .The Russians have occupied JardTfa* (15 miles north of Przemysl). • ' - . It is announced that the Fifteenth Hungarian Regiment was completely tiecimatedj only three men and tAvelvo officers: remaining. " ■.. •'/• Japan has presented £20.00 . wprtji of. surgical instruments to Russia. . During the past twenty.. years Germany established forty-six companies,

i A number of villages in the neighjbourhood of Phillipville. and . Givet ! were destroyed. The inhabitants rojsisted, inflicting heavy losses on the I enemy. The Germans convpel'.ed fifty \ civilians to bury the German - dead, an«l I ordered them to dig another pit. Forty- ; eight were shot, and the remaining two forced to bury them. GERMANS IN BELGIUM. STORMS RENDER TRANSPORT m DIFFICULT. - ROADS, TO BRUSSELS MIKED. - LONDON, September 22. , Mr Martin Donohoe, telegraphing •from • Courtrai, in southern Belgium, says storms have made the roads difficult for transport, and the flat country is a quagmire. New heavy guns brought up against Termonde stuck in. the mud. The Germans are inadequately ' sheltered, ami are'' suffering from exposure. ■'■■ Uhlans and - cyclists are-'active in south-west Belgium, raiding the main -roails- and sniping i-travellers.- Belgian v patrols are hunting down ■ these marauders and German fugitives from the* fighting line in the north of France.

THE BARBAROUS GERMAN. STORY. OF BRUTAL MASSACRE. x t INHABITANTS LED OUT AJ?D KILLED. ~^ x "S LONDON, September 22. The "Daily .Chronicle" says that the sworn statement of an eyewitness reveals the most brutal massacre. At Termonde only one house in the town Avas not burnt. The Germans selected a large number of inhabitants, gave them Avine for cpnfessiori, and then

VANDALISM AT RHEIMS. ~ WIDESPREAD DENUNCIATION! "ALLIES WILL TAKE PITILESS VENGEANCE." NEW YORK, September 22. The newspapers ilenouiice the Rheims outrage. , The '•Tribune" declares that It -ia a piece of vandalism reducing German military methods to the -level of those of the Goths, and.'the. Huns. "Doubtless we shall hear more of the Kaiser ? jy { bleeding heart, but no such banal»t£es will blind us to the congenital unseo sitiveness of the German nature to the obligations of civilisation." PARIS, September 22.

M. Anatolc France,' the'famous author, has written an indignant/ protest against the destruction of Rheims. Barbarians . who have invoked the blessing of GoM have destroyed one of the most fieent monuments of Christianity, and have earned eternal infamy. The Allies will inflict pitiless vengeance on the criminals, but will not stam their victory with similar crimes. "' "ROTTERDAM, September 22. % The "Berliner Tagcblatt" accuses the Belgians of using churches as military works. It declares that the Germantroops have been ordered to protect when possible beautiful buildings jpf' . all; descriptions.

tad engaged in the electro-metallurgical mining works in Kussia, with a capital of nine millions sterling. It is now hoped that these will be supplanted by JJritishers.

AUSTRIA'S ARMY SHATTERED. WOMEN IN THE RANKS. PEIEST SHOT AS A SPY. PETEOGEAD, September 22. The pursuit of the broken Austrian fenny and the fresh defeat inflicted on it during the retreat, convince the Russian headquarters that the Austrians Trill be unable to resume the offensive in dalicia until next spring. Many women were among the prison-

«rs captured in the fighting on the East Prussian frontier. Cossacks seized over £i hundred at Willenburg. One woman Of 70, maddened by the loss of her sons ''and grandsons, climbed into the belfry of a church and fired on the Russians ■with a machine-gun. She wounded 15 men before she was captured. An official denies the allegations of the burning of German villages and shooting of inhabitants. In exceptional «ases, where veterans fired on the Eussians, just reprisals were ordered. • PAEIS, September 22. The Abbe D'Elbinge, of Dunkirk, irhile conveying letters from French soldiers to their families, was arrested by Uhlans and court-martialled- as a spy and shot. THE HAGUE, September 22. Pour hundred women and girls have iarrired at Oldenzaal, en route for England, in exchange for Germans sent Jiome last week.

THE SMALLER POWERS.

MONTENEGRO AND SERVIA.

PEINCE GEOEGE WOUNDED.

BOME, September 22. It is reported from Nish that the - Montenegrins and Servians formed a firing line about Serajeyo with a radius '■'■'■■ «f eight kilometres. The first Austrian ,#ortie was repulsed, and the siege began. Prince George of Servia is in hospital /mth a bullet in his chest, which he received while leading a charge.

COMPLETE CRUSHING WANTED.

BUSSIAN PRESS REPROACHFUL.

FEELING AGAINST KAISEE IN GEEMANY.

PETEOGEAD, November 23

The '' Novoe Vremya'' reproaches British statesmen for not insisting on the complete crushing of Germany. It adds that it is necessary for Europe that the Allies should burn out the Prussian cancer with red hot irons. "LONDON, September 22.

An impartial observer writes that •enthusiasm for war in Berlin is still Tery strong, though an undercurrent of revolt against Prussianism and indignation against the Kaiser is gradually becoming perceptible in the larger towns.

IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC.

GERMAN VESSELS CAPTURED. * THE TOTAL TO BATE. . LONDON, September 23. The High Commissioner report*:— Official: H.M.S. Berwick, operating 4a. North Atlantic waters, reports that she; captured the Hamburg-Amerika liner Spreewald, which is known to be as an armoured merchant cruiser. the same time two colliers were ; captured, with coal for ships in Atlantic waters. The vessels had between them 6000 tons of coal and 180 tons of provisions. The total number of German vessels captured by British vessels at sea, or t>y British port authorities now amounts -to 92, in addition to 95 German vessels which were detained in British ports en the outbreak of war. Since then twelve British seagoing vessels have heen captured and sunk at sea out of \ 4000 British vessels carrying on the «xersea trade. [H.M.S. Berwick is a battleship of 9800 tons, built in 1902 at a cost of £750,984. She carries fourteen,' Gin, eight 12-pounders, three 3-pouitders, and nine maehine guns, and has a speed of 23,61 knots. The Spreewald is a vessel of 3899 tons, feuilt in England in 1907.]

FROM BERLIN.

THE EMDEN'S INSTRUCTIONS. A STRIKING EXHIBITION. r- ■ LONDON, September 22. The naval correspondent of "The Times" hazards the opinion that the German cruiser Emden, which has destroyed so many British ships, acted under instructions reoeived by wireless from Berlin. The notion that Berlin is able to direct operations at such a distance is almost uncanny, and no more striking exhibition of the use of wireless in naval warfare is imaginable. One may picture Admiral von Tirpitz in his office in Berlin receiving the news of the situation in the Bay of Bengal, realising his opportunity for a little coup, and issuing an order to the cruiser, which does the rest.

LOYAL CANADA.

HER FORCE INCREASED. ;WELSH ARMY SANCTIONED. LONDON, September 22. The Canadian Expeditionary Force las been increased to 31,200 men, and

7500 horses. Of these 22,500 men will join the firing line, and the remainder will be a reserve. The first contingent takes three hundred machine guns. Lord Kitchener sanctions the formation of a Welsh Army Corps, the movement for the establishment of which is being headed by the Eight Hon. D. Lloyd George.

WHEN THE TIDE TURNED

HOW THE ENEMY FLED. JOYFUL TOMMY ATKINS. A London "Times" correspondent who is following on the heels of the Germans says that the withdrawal of General Frenches army from Belgium to the southward of Paris will rank as one of the greatest achievements of the British or any other army. "Marching backwards," he says, "isn't what the soldier loves. On Sunday, when the great tide began to sweep the other way, it brought joy to the allied camps. The artillery duel lasted the whole day, the Germans eventually giving ground. "On Monday the great new movement continued, gathering vigour and momentum. Happy British soldiers swung singing through shuttered villages, which had been occupied by the Germans on the previous day, along white roads, through green woods past many German corpses, and thickets full of dead.

"In the evening I slept at a farmhouse in a hamlet where there were only three families remaining. The Germans on Sunday had taken my host's fodder and horses, for which they gave him receipts. Four officers ordered his wife to prepare dinner for them in the evening. But it wasn't eaten, for the officers were ordered suddenly to retire because the British were coming. The order was instantly obeyed. The officers in their haste left behind them cigar-holders, as well as unopened tins of tomatoes and other delicacies.

"While I slept long files of British troops tramped forward. "Beaching Coulommiers I found the doors and windows of the houses, broken. I learned that the Mayor and Chief Constable had refused to find the levy of 100,000 francs imposed by the Germans, and that the Germans had taken them to the outskirts of the town on Sunday with the intention of having them shot. The arrival of the British saved the town officials, and the firing party fled. "When I.awoke on Tuesday morning there were more aeroplanes in the sky than I could readily count. The noise of their engines was, however, drowned by the boom of cannon. "By five o'clock in the morning 1 was cycling in the direction of La Ferte-Gauchier. On the way I entered a desolate mansion. The place was silent as the grave. The windows and doors were open* The dining-table was heaped with the wreckage of a drunken meal. There were empty bottles everywhere. The sideboards, cupboards, and drawers had been rifled, the beds overturned, and gramaphohe records trodden under the German heel. "Next I noticed the shell of a house. I made enquiries, and was informed that the Frenchman who had lived there had lit a fire in his cellar rather than allow the Germans to enter his home. The Germans caught the man, and drove him at the point of the bayonet for miles along the road. "I discovered innumerable refugees eating bully beef and drinking English tea, proving that the British soldiers are keeping hundreds of country men alive with their rations. The army is so magnificently fed that this admirable generosity to the refugees doesn't leave the troops - hungry. They live like fighting cocks, testifying to the excellence of the Army Service Corps. (( I found the battle raging beyond the River Petit Morin, where General von Kluck had been forced back upon the Marne.

"The British behaved magnificently. Under a sheltering cannonade the infantry fought steadily forward the orchards of the best fruit country of France, lined by long avenues of pear and apple trees. Their rifles grew hot with firing.

"When the order to advance was given, remembering the lessons learnt in the Boer War, the British swept from the trenches in open order. Under a withering fire r and stooping low, they dashed for the nearest cover provided by hayricks, hedges, and boulders. There was a fresh fusilade from their rifles, and then they dashed forward again.

"Finally, with a fierce cheer, they brought their bayonets into.play in the German trenches, and flung forth death and confusion into the long green German lines.

'' One prisoner, who had appropriately taken refuge in a wine cellar, was identified as having been, head waiter at a famous London hotel. He was gleeful to find among the British officers many of his former generously-tipping patrons. He said, 'I had little stomach for fight, but was compelled to answer the roll call.'

"The British are still advancing."

"MAKE BELIEVE" ALLY.

AN EXPLODED GERMAN FALLACY.

In the beginning of last May the German Admiral Breusing, speaking at Stuttgart, made the following prophecies: — "When the war comes our position will be most favourable. Our destroyer and torpedo craft cannot fail to cause tremendous damage to the British ships, for we are used to night attacks. Further, the enemy will have great difficulties to provide themselves with ammunition, while we shall have ours on hand. "The moment will then come when many British ships being destroyed by our guns, many others detained in far distant seas, for the protection of British trade, the two fleets will be equal in numbers. From that moment I can confidently say the advantage will be on our side.

"Our torpedo boats, our guns, our shooting, all is far superior to what is clone in England at present. Our guns can do terrific harm at ten miles' distance, and fche British fleet will be disabled before they even have been able to attempt to fight us. "Italy will have a double task. Her fleet will neutralise the French fleet in the Mediterranean, and her army will invade Egypt. The Italian fleet will be able to keep the French under control, even without the assistance of the new Austrian Dreadnoughts. As to her army, she has some 100,000 men in Tripoli, which she can easily send into Egypt to exterminate the weak

English garrison (some 15,000 men) stationed there.

"Then Japan is only a make-believe friend and ally of England. The Mikado's Government is Hired' of England 's proceedings, „ and only too anxious to imake off the British yoke. There is no doubt that, in case of a European war, the Japanese fleet will sail to Australia, and seize both the Commonwealth and New Zealand."

THE INDIANS' PLACE.

TO SUPPORT THE BRITISH. REMARKABLE MEETING IN BOMBAY. Indian newspapers just to hand show that a remarkable wave of patriotism was sweeping over the Empire early in August. Meetings were held in all the cities to express devotion to the Mother Country, and offers of Irelp were pouring in on the authorities. Most striking of all, perhaps, was a letter from Mr Naoroji, the well-known leader of Hindu Nationalism. Here it is:—

gi r> —What a calamity to the world is at present happening! The war in Europe. What is our Indians ' place in it? We are a v people of the British Empire. Let us see what our duty and position is. If ever India expects to attain again her former glory, on the advanced character and scale of modern British civilisation of liberty, humanity, justice, and all that is good, great, and divine, it shall be at the hands of the British people, and with the British people as self-governing members of the British Empire. We are, above all, British citizens of the great British Empire, and that is at present our greatest pride. On the other hand, is Britain engaged in the present great struggle for some selfish purpose, for extension of her own dominion and power? No. It is simply for keeping her word of honour and for righteously discharging a solemn obligation for the peace and welfare of minor and weak Powers. Fighting as the British people are at present in a righteous cause to the good and glory of human dignity and civilisation, and, moreover, being the beneficent instrument of her own progress and civilisation, our duty is clear to do our everyone's earnest to support the British fight with our life and property. I have been all my life more of a critic than a simple praiser of the British rale of India, and I have not hesitated to say some hard things* at times. I can, therefore, speak with the most perfect candour and sincerity what the British character is, what the civilisation of the world owes to the British genius, and what we, Indians, owe to the British people for benefits past as well as benefits to come. Yes, I have not the least doubt in my mind that every individual of the vast mass of humanity of India will have but one desire in his heart, viz., to support* to the best of his ability and power the British people in their glorious struggle for justice, liberty, honour, and true human greatness and happiness. The Princes and people of India have already made spontaneous offers, and until the victorious end of this

great struggle no other thought than that of supporting whole-heartedly the British nation should enter the mind of India.

DADABHAI NAOROJI. Vesava, August 10, 1914. THE BOMBAY MEETING.

The patriotic meeting in the Town Hall of Bombay produced an unprecedented gathering of notable, natives. Sir Pherozeshah Mehta presided, and there was a densely crowded audience. The principal resolution was in these words: —

That the citizens of Bombay, in public meeting assembled, desire to give expression to their feelings of unswerving loyalty and devotion to the British Crown. They desire further to tender to his Most Gracious Majesty the King-Emperor the assurance that, treasuring the prerogative of British citizenship as their dearest possession, they are ready cheerfully to submit to all the inevitable consequences of a state of war. Firmly believing that Great Britain has justly drawn the sword in the defence of international rights and obligations, they will humbly pray for the success of the British arms, and they desire to place at the disposal of his Majesty and of his Government all the resources they possess, and all the personal services which may be demanded of them at this momentous juncture in the affairs of the Empire to which they are proud to belong. OUTBUEST OF LOYALTY.

In moving it, Sir Jamsetji Jijibhoy spoke of the magnitude of the issues at stake. "To detect the germ of good in so much evil is not an easy task, "he went on. "And yet, ladies and gentlemen, who can deny himself a thrill of pride and satisfaction at the remarkable outburst of loyalty and devotion which the war has evoked in this country among all classes and creeds of his Majesty>s subjects? From all over the country have come expressions of sympathy and offers of service which, by their warmth and genuineness, have proved beyond all doubt the strength of the ties which bind India with the country to which Providence has committed its governance. It has been demonstrated most striking manner that the millions of this land are as ready to respond to the call of duty and bear the burden of the Empire as any self-gov-erning colony or dominion of his Majesty. Yes, we are prepared to fight, and we have said so in no uncertain voice. Whatever the differences and disputes we may have with men and with policies, whatever the quarrels we may have among ourselves, in this hour of trial we are a united nation, speaking with one voice, presenting a solid front to those who are the common enemies of England and India. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, it is hard to watch unmoved this outburst of spontaneous enthusiasm and to fail to be impressed by this testimony of the closeness of the bonds which unite the two countries. This is the good which has emerged from so much evil, this is the ray of light which has shot through the universal gloom. And long after the memory of this momentous period has grown dim, men will recall the readiness, the enthusiasm with which India, sinking all her differences, rallied to a man in support of the Empire of which she forms the largest and most important unit." (Loud applause.)

SILENCED FOR ALL TIME. "The resolution which I am seconding," said Sir Ibrahim Eahimtulla, "makes a declaration of our loyalty and devotion to the British Crown. Can a shadow of doubt now remain of the sincerity and depth of the feeling of

loyalty permeating this vast continent? There have been men both in India and England who had no faith in the Indian protestations of loyalty. Their jaundiced eyes saw nothing but disaffection and sedition prevailing in this country. They were in the habit of gravely shaking their heads, and oracularly predicting all sorts of dangers to the British Crown in India. I wonder what they have to say now, when the princes and the people of India have so spontaneously and enthusiastically come forward to furnish stern proofs of their loyalty and devotion to the British Crown? I trust such men have now been effectively silenced for all time. (Hear, hear.) The resolution also deals with the rights and responsibilities of the proud designation of British citizenship. Ladies and gentlemen, you are aware that in this very hall on several occasions in the past we have assembled in public meetings to press to the utmost by all constitutional means in our power our claims for equal citizenship. If we have been foremost in pressing home our claims for equal rights of British citizenship, we have not overlooked the obligations and responsibilities attaching to that honoured and cherished privilege. If the time has come, I am perfectly confident that the people of India will not be wanting in discharging with a willing heart all such obligations and responsibilities. India forms a component part of the British Empire, claims all the /privileges of and accepts all the responsibilities of her position. (Cheers.) An Empire which is so genuinely and solidly united, though scattered over the whole world, has nothing to fear from any foes, however formidable they may be.''

BENIGN BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

Sir Balchandra Krishna was the next speaker. He spoke of the great rallying of the colonies, and continued: —"What is the part which India —the,,, brightest jewel in his Majesty's Crown —India, which owes whatever it is at present to the benign British Government; India, whose interests are indissolubly interwoven with those of Great Britain, whose peace, progress, prosperity, and civilisation are entirely dependent upon the safety of the British Empire, what is the part, I ask, which India is going to play in this gigantic struggle? There can be only one answer, and that answer has been telegraphed in advance to his Majesty, even before we could meet to give it by the Noble Lord—-{loud cheers) —that is now at the helm of the Indian Empire —his Majesty's representative, in India. That answer is that India is loyal to the core, and places all its resources at the disposal of his Majesty. (Cheers.) The Princes of India have strikingly exemplified their loyalty by the splendid offer of all their resources to his Majesty's Government. Meetings are being held from one eorner of India to the other to express India's loyalty, and its readiness to make any sacrifice demanded by the exigencies of war. Hindus and Mohammedans, Parsis and Christians, are all vying with each other in the expression of their devotion to the Crown. I am but voicing the sentiments of the vast Hindu community 'when I say that they offer to make every sacrifice demanded of them, and to support the British with their life and property in the glorious fight for righteousness and justice. Let me conclude with the memorable words of exhortation and appeal of India's grand old man. 'Yes, I have not the least doubt in my mind that every individual of the vast mass of humanity of» India will have but one desire in his heart, namely, to support to the best of his ability and power the British people in their glorious struggle for justice, liberty, honour, and true human greatness and happiness.' " (Applause.) Speaker after speaker, native and European, added his brief quota to the demonstration, and the motion was carried with the greatest enthusiasm.

TORPEDO CRAFT.

NATIONS' RELATIVE STRENGTH BRITISH SUPERIORITY IN DESTROYERS. ("Daily News" Correspondent.) Although there have been innumerable comparisons between the naval forces of the Powers which are now at war, there has been a remarkable lack of attention given to surface torpedo craft and submarines. The following summary of our destroyer programmes for 1905 and succeeding years will convey an idea of our strength in modern '' ocean-going'' vessels: — Pro- No. of gramme, boats. Remarks. 1905-6 5 865 to 885 tons; speed 33kn; armament, 5 12prs, 2 torpedo tubes 1906-7 2 970-980 tons; 33kn; 2 4in guns; 2 torpedo tubes 1907-8 .fi 1027 to 1090 tons; 33kn; 2 4in guns; 2 torpedo tubes v and 3 12pr guns; 2 torp. tubes 1909-10 20 720 to 780 tons; 27kn; 2 4in r 212 pr, and 2 torpedo tubes 1910-11 23 745 to 810 tons; 27 to 32kn; guns as former 1911-12 20 908. to 964 tons; 29 to 32kn; 3 4in and 1 machine gun; 2

torpedo tubes 1912-13 20 965 tons; 29kn; 3 4in and 1 machine gun; 2 double torpedo tubes.

THE DISPOSITION. The above 111 boats are all in service, with the exception of two of the 1912-13 programme, which are being hurried forward, as are also the sixteen boats provided for in 1913. All of them are turbine-driven, and with the exception of the 1908 boats burn oil fuel exclusively. The coal-burners of 1908 form the Mediterranean flotilla; and of the remainder the first twelve are in the second fleet, while the 1909 boats form the second flotilla, the 1910 boats the first flotilla, the 1911 boats the fourth flotilla, and the 1912 boats the third flotilla, all being attached to the first fleet and in full commission. In addition to these we have 34 boats of the River class (named after rivers), which were provided for between 1901 and 1903. They displace from 540 to 590 tons and steam 254 knots, their armament consisting of four 12-pr. guns and two torpedo tubes. Finally, there are 71 older craft, launched between 1894 and 1902, averaging about 350 tons and steaming 30 knots when they were built. Progress irfthe interval has rendered them rather unfit for modern torpedo-craft work, but they are still exceedingly useful for coastal work, and form, with the River class boats, the patrol flotillas of the second fleet.

COASTAL WORK. Besides these destroyers we have 36 modern torpedo boats (launched 19069), which were designed specially for coastal work. They displace 244 to 308 tons, carry two 12-pounders and three torpedo tubes, and steam 26 knots with turbines and oil fuel.

Germany has never admitted the necessity for the "destroyer" as we

know it, and her vessels classed as such in British publications are merely "large torpedo boats" in Germany. They are as a rule faster than their British contemporaries, but,.being also considerably smaller, would be more likely to lose their speed at sea. They carry a much less powerful equipment of guns, but make up for this by the extra number of torpedo tubes. Germany has 131 completed destroyers, all save one (S9O) being in home waters. The following is a summary of them:— No. Launched. Remarks. 42 1899-1905 394-480 tons; speed 28kn; 3 4pr, 2 machine guns, and 3 torpedo tubes 4 1906 480 tons; 30kn; 4 4-pr, 2 machine guns, 3 tubes 1 1906 480 tons; 30kn; 1 24-pr, 2 4pr, 2 machine guns, 3 tubes 13 1906-7 520-560 tons; 30kn; 1 24pr, 3 4pr, and 2 machine guns, 3 tubes 12 1907-8 545 tons; 32kn; 224 pr, 2 machine guns, 3 tubes 7 1909-11 605 tons; 32£kn; 215 pr, 2 machine guns, 3 tubes 52 1909-13 555-643 tons; 32£kn; 215 pr, 2 machine guns, 4 tubes. ARMAMENT.

It will be seen that the latest German destroyers carry practically the same armement as our coastal torpedo boats, though the former are much faster. Germany has no modern torpedo boats whatever. Our aggregate numerical superiority in destroyers is 216 to 131, and the following is a statement of the armament of the two flotillas:—

In torpedo boats the two forces are more or less equal, but in vessels for attacking torpedo craft there is a great advantage on the British side. FRANCE'S DESTROYERS.

France has 84 completed destroyers, of which the majority, displacing Under 400 tons, are armed with one 9-pr. and six 3-pr. guns and two torpedo tubes. The latest boats, 18 in number, are of about 750 tons, and carry two 3.9 in and four 9-pr. guns and threes or four torpedo ]tubes. There is also a large number of fairly modern torpedo boats distributed between Dunkirk, Calais, Cherbourg, Brest, and the Mediterranean ports. In the Baltic, Russia has 68 modern destroyers, and there is not the least doubt that the whole of the Black Sea fleet will come into the Mediterranean to assist the forces of the Triple Entente there.

. Neither Italy nor Austria is very strong in torpedo craft, the former having 33 and the latter 15 completed destroyers.

As regards submarines, the superiority of Great Britain over Germany, and of the Triple Entente over Germany and- Austria is enormous. Germany has not more than 30 ships of this type in service, and a very small personnel trained to man them, while Great Britain has 72 boats and a fully-trained personnel of over 3500 officers and men. France backs this up with 50 completed boats, and Russia with 13 in the Baltic, while Austria has only eight boats. Britain and France together have 122 submarines, or about four times as many as Germany and Austria.

GERMANS ASSAULTED.

LIVELY SCENES AT PORT MELBOURNE. POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS. Following on earlier stirring scenes in which British and German stevedores were involved at Port Melbourne a series of cases came before the Port Melbourne Court a fortnight ago* Amongst witnesses and defendants alike there were several bearing marks of the fray, discoloured eyes and bandaged faces bearing tribute to the fierceness of the several conflicts .between the parties and to the effective work of the police in quelling some of the disturbances. HIT HIM TWICE.

In the first case, James Niven and Thomas Collister, two British stevedores, were charged with unlawfully assaulting one Wilhelm Smock, a German stevedore. Sub-Inspector Shaw prosecuted, and Mr Manchester appeared for defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Wilhelm Smock, stevedore's labourer,' gave evidence that at 9.30 p.m. on the Bth inst., he was sitting on a seat in Beach Street when defendants came along. Niven hit him twice in the face. Witness said, "What I done to you? I done nothing to you." Niven called witness . a German ——, and Collister, using a similar term, deliberately struck witness between the eyes. Cross-examined by Mr Manchester, witness said he was a German and had applied for naturalisation papers, which had not yet been granted. Witness had worked with defendants, but not since the outbreak of war. He believed the stevedores. passed a resolution refusing to work with Germans, but he was not incensed at that. Mr Manchester: Did not you, with others, incfense the British stevedores, by trampling on the Union Jack, or threatening to trample on it?—No, not me. I do not know who did that.

You were pretty free in making use of pro-German sentiments, I believe? —I do not think so.

BADLY KNOCKED ABOUT.

Constable John Boyd said that at 9.35 o'clock on the evening of the Bth inst. he was at the corner of Beach and Bay Streets; he saw a crowd of people running across to the beach from the direction of the Stevedores' Clubroom in Bay Street. Witness rushed across and saw Niven and Collister standing on each side of a man named Brothertou, in front of Smock, whose face was badljr knocked about. Witness got Smock away and got him home. As there was a crowd of 400 to 500 men about, witness did not make any attempt to arrest defendants. Mr Goldsmith, P.M.: A very wise discretion. Witness added that he heard men saying, "Get to him," and for a time the position was very serious. Sub-Inspector Shaw: Did either of accused say anything? Witness: Niven said, "I gave you credit, Boyd, for more sense. That man is a German, and he has a revolver. "• - Witness: He said, "Search me, constable, '' but I told him to get away while he was safe. Mr Manchester( to witness): There was practically a free fight going on? Witness: No; I would not say that. Was it so bad that you were com-

pelled to use your baton? —I drew my baton, but did not use it. Look at this young fellow's face; did you do that? —I did that with my fist because he showed fight. I drew my :baton and struck at him, but missed.

As a matter of fact there was not a general melee? —No. Yet you drew your baton and refrained from arresting the offenders? Mr Goldsmith, P.M.: The constable would have been three parts of an idiot if he had attempted such a thing —not fit for the position he holds. J. S. Grant testified to arresting Niven at the rooms of the Stevedores' Club. Collister called at the police station and asked if someone named Fane had been arrested, as he wished to bail him out. Smock was sent for, and identified Collister as one jof the men who assaulted him.

INSULTING CONDUCT. Eor the defence, Mr Manchester took the objection that Smock, being an unnaturalised German, could not claim the protection of the court. Mr Goldsmith, P.M.: Bo you want us to say that because a man is the subject of a country with which our Emipire is at war that anyone can assault him with impunity? Mr Manchester: He is practically a prisoner on parole, and his oath is of no value under the law.

Mr Goldsmith, P.M.: We lay down as a matter of law —you can test it afterwards, if you like—that any person, that any German, even when our nation is at war with Germany, if assaulted While pursuing a lawful and peaceful avocation, is entitled to the protection of the laws of the country in which he finds himself.

Mr Manchester said the whole thing originated in consequence of the insulting conduct of Germans, the passing of a resolution by the British stevedores refusing to work with Germans, and to the resentment of the Germans at the passing of that resolution. Collister, on oath, denied being in the crowd until they came down from the club. Witness arrived at the same time as the police, and did-not lift a finger against Smock tr anyone else. Niven also denied assaulting informant.

THE NATION'S HONOUE. The Magistrate said Collister's evidence fitted in with that of the police, and he would be discharged. Niven was convicted. He trusted that in no part of the British Dominions would Britishers be so small, or humiliate the British to such a degree, as had been done by men of other nationality elsewhere. If a report came through that an isolated Britisher in the enemy's country had been set on and assaulted they would say, '' What brutal cruelty." They read with pride of Great Britain's splendid work, against superior odds, and of splendid victories. The Australians, too, were making history, and were putting up a magnificent fight on behalf of the Empire. Were they going to tarnish all that honour and their boasted British fair play by unprovoked attacks on German civilians? There was no time in the history of the Empire when it was so important and desirable that Britishers should refrain from doing anything to tarnish the nation's honour. There had been talk of threats to trample on the Union Jack, and there had perhaps been some little provocation. Defendant was fined £3, in default fourteen days' imprisonment, and was granted a stay of fourteen days for payment. On a" further charge of using insulting words to Constable Walsh, defendant was; fined £5, in default one month.

PAY OF TROOPS.

THE AUSTRALIAN BATES. [From our . own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 23. Mr J. Golvin (Buller) gave notice in the House to-day of his intention to ask the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that the Commonwealth Government had decided to pay privates in the Australian Expeditionary Force 6/- and 7A a day, as compared with 4/- paid to members of the New Zealand Force. It was reported in the Australian Press that Senator Millen, who was Minister of Defence -when the rate was fixed, had increased the pay from-tjbe usual rate o£ 4/6 a day in view of the increased cost of living.

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS. TILL TUESDAY NEXT. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 23. i TJie Minister of Defence (Hon. James Allen) stated, in reply to Sir Joseph Ward in the House this afternoon, that it was intended to adjourn Parliament from the rising that day until Tuesday next. The following day (Thursday) would be a broken day, owing to the farewell to the Wellington troops. That did not mean that tha troops were sailing that day. It was not desirable to say when they would be finally leaving New Zealand. . Sir Joseph Ward: Why is the House not sitting on Friday? Hon. James Allen: The right hon. gentleman should not press me for a reason. '

The House adjourned at its rising in the evening, till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The Legislative Council also adjourned till Tuesday at the same hour.

AUCKLANDERS FAREWELLED. ADDEESSBD BY PREMIBB. Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 23. Opportunity was taken to-day by the Prime Minister to say farewell to the Auckland section of the Expeditionary Force. Troops to the number of 2200 marched to. the Domain, where a crowd of about 14,0°° had collected, and here addresses Were delivered by Mr Massey and Mr C. J. Parr,, the Mayor. Owing to rain the speeches were very short. After the ceremony the troops marched through the main streets, where they were cheered by great crowds. In the course of his speech, Mr Massey said:— "New Zealand may be only a small country, with a comparatively small population, but nevertheless it is not an unimportant part of the British Empire. In this crisis, the most serious ever experienced in the history of Britain, New Zealand has made up its mind to do its duty to the Empire, just as the Empire is doing its duty to humanity by protecting the weaker nations of the world against tyranny. In a short time from now there will leave our shores for the scenes of war the very pick of our male population, young New Zealanders who will proceed to the other side of the world to meet Britain's enemies in battle in countries where, centuries ago, the ancestors of

New Zealanders held their own i»» many a fierce struggle. "That you will do as well as y»or forefathers I have not the very leas'. doubt. That you will do your country credit wherever you are I feel sure, have no doubt that by and by you wH; find yourselves with English, Scotel. and Irish troops and with forces representing other dominions of the Britisi* Empire, and with the men who during the last few weeks have flung back the enemy from the very gates of Paris. every one of them willing to risk his life for his country and for humanityYou will find men there from sunscorched India, from the plains of Canada, from the great Australian bush,, from the wide spaces of South Africa, as well as your fellows from these islands of New Zealand. You will, see what the world has never seen before, men of almost every clime, language,, race and creed bound together by one idea, one belief, that within the British Empire and under the British flag there is more justice, morality,. and freedom than has ever been granted by any other nation. In consequence of that belief scores of millions of men have made up their minds to keep the Empire intact, to resisttyranny and oppression to the uttermost, and to keep flying the flag that has braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze, the emblem of truth, and right, and justice, and everything that makes for the betterment of humanity. *J_You will encounter many hardships, not only on the scene of operations, but on the way thereto. But remember" that you are enjoying the privilege of making history. In ages to come millions of people will read with interest of the great events that are taking place to-day, and I hope that they will also read of how New Zealanders distinguished themselves. You will have the privilege of striking hard for right and liberty and. against tyranny, and we know that that privilege is safe in your hands. "We commend- you to the protection of Him without Whose knowledge not even a sparrow can fall- to the ground. I hope that this cruel war will soon, come to an end, but it must be peace with honour, ot no peace at all. I hope that in the jaot far distant future we will have the pleasure of welcoming you back home again. On behalf of the -people of New Zealand I wish you God speed. May God bless you." *

BELGIUM RESERVISTS. Mr j. C. Ward (of the firm of Kinsey and Co., Ltd), Acting-Consul for Belgium at Christchurch, has received advice from the Consul-General in Sydney as follows:"I beg to advise that the French Minister for War authorises at his expense the repatriation by requisition «a French mail boats of all Belgian Seservists. In consequence, and fottMs purpose, all Belgian reservists are requested to present themselves witKout delay at the Belgian Consulate, 14 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, N.S.W., with their papers of identification. The next boat of the Messageries Maritime Line is due to leave Sydney for Marseilles early in October. Should any r*servists apply at your consulate to i* turn to Belgium under these conditions their expenses to Sydney must be bornt by themselves." ,

FOOD FOR BRITAIN AND BELGIUM FUND. YESTERDAY'S DONATIONS. Mrs Gibson (per Mr W. Mee- | Ion), proceeds 5 sacks oats £ 3 -2."11 i Mr J. Finckam and Mrs Stewart (per Mr W. Meelon), proceeds heifers, as fol- , lows: —Geo. Davis 10/-, Cash 10/-, S. * Davison 10/-, G. Watson 10/-, F. Carter 10/-, E. McLennan 10/-, W. G. Hille 10/-,- C. Walker 10/-, B. W. Jones 10/-, F. Sandrey £3 2/-, W. McMiekan 10/-, Lef erre 10/-, Mehrtens 10/-,. W. Phillips 10/-, W. Hill 10/-, A. Ca-lde 10/-, J. Nel- .

At the Addington Saleyards yesterday Messrs Pyne and Co. sold, on behalf of Messrs*Stewart Bros. (Sheffield), five sheep at 18/- each, the proceeds t© be devoted to the Britain and Belgium Food Fund.

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE. "A Friend" has given one pair of blankets, "Anonymous" one blanket, and "Sympathiser" one and a-half pairs of blankets to the Blanket Fund. Parcels of clothing have been received from the following:—Mrs Giltman, "Sympathiser," Miss J. Mackay, Mrs Hamilton, Master Ken. Miller, Mrs McMillan, Mrs H.-L. Bowker, jun., St. James's Guild, Lower Kiccarton. (new), Lower Riccarton Committee (new), "A Friend," Mrs Fryer, "Sympathiser," Mrs Balmforth, Mrs Gruden, Miss Butters, "8.," Miss E. Sneyd-Smith, Mr. Bush, Miss Middlicott, Marshlands Sewing Bee (per Mrs C.-Dalgety), "Burwood," Miss Dunn, Miss Storey, Mrs Peake, Mrs L. Comerford, Mrs Gavin, Mrs G. Simpson, "Sympathiser," Mrs Ritchie, "Sympathiser," Miss M. Grierson, "Sumner," Norman and lan Careon, Mrs L. J. Fountaine, Mrs Hurrell, Mrs Inkster, Mrs Luttrell, Mrs E. B. - Good. The first instalment of blankots — those purchased with the £SOO raised by the Violet Day Committee and the £SOO added by the General Committee—will be sent to England on troopship No. 11. The Women's Committee wishes to "" thank all those who have contributed to this result, especially the Violet Day Committee, the donors of flowers, and those who so freely and generously purchased the flowers on Violet Day. The [Committee wish also to <thank the following firms, through whom the blankets were purchased at cost price:— Messrs A. J. White, Strange and Co., the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative," Ross and Glendining (through Ballantyne and Co.), Beath and Co., and ©utterworth Bros. Their thanks are also ! due to the Government for giving perlnission for the blankets to be carried on the troopship free of cost, and to the National Mortgage and Agency Company for making the arrangements for shipping them. (Continued on page 10.}.

British. German 4in (31prs) .. 240 — •— 38 — 128 .. 369 — .. 340 — 4prs / .. ' — 200 Machine guns 40 264 Torpedo tubes ; .. .. 470 448

son 10/-, W. Henderson 10/12 2 ■At Employees Skelton, Frostick, and Co. (first weekly doiia2 17 Samuel Harris (Belgium) .. 1 1 0 1 0 ■0 Social, Le Bons Bay (per Mr W. Cross) .. ...... 15 6 G Executors late Rerv. R. McLean (per Mr C. T. Middleton, Sumner) .. .. .. 0 S Q Anonymous .-. .., .. 1 0 0 Miss Jean Hayes, blanket .. 1 0 « Mr Joseph Taylor, Papanui .. 25 0 $ Collected by Mr Geo. Rutherford, Waipara County— Jas. Douglas 50 0 4J 25 0 « Geo. Rutherford 25 0 0