Untitled

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 234, 6 November 1914, Page 8

of the war. Though we have undoubtedly inflicted immense loss upon tV»o enemy, they have so far been able to fill up the gap. We have suffered heavily ourselves.

THE TIRED ENEMY. MANIFEST RESTLESSNESS. SUICIDES AND UNHEROIC WOUNDS. "Times" and Sydney Sun" Services. LONDON, November 4. A correspondent of '' The Times'' says that the reports of the Germans' dispiritedness and fatigue are too numerous to be disregarded. It is also evident that they have difficulty in replenish-, ing stores and heavy ammunition. Uniforms are particularly scarce. The dead are stripped in order to clothe recruits. It is not uncommon for Germans to get shot in unheroic fashion. Tired of life in the trenches, they hold up a hand, with a view to getting a bullet wound that will enable them to go to the rear.

Another correspondent says the Germans are beginning to manifest restlessness. Grumbling is heard against officers for useless sacrifices on the Yser. The correspondent can state with absolute certainty that desertion is rife throughout the whole region. Severe preventive measures are being adopted. Soldiers are forbidden to pass the night at private houses, to prevent them escaping in civilian dress. Suicides among officers are becoming a noticeable feature. Three shot themselves in the head, and a major drowned himself.

"BELGIUM WEEK." MEETING OF COMMITTEE. A meeting of the "Belgium Week" Committee was held in Mrs Rolleston's rooms in Cathedral Square yesterday afternoon, Dr Levinge in the chair. The chairman reported that he had arranged for a tent at the Show Ground, and that the Boy Scouts had been instructed to operate there. It was also reported that Satisfactory arrangements had been made with the Press regarding the matter of giving publicity to the effort. Mr Cyril Ward, the Consul for Belgium, wh,o was present, stated that a gentleman of Belgian nationality ffom Waimate, who had been" very successful in making collections in that district, -would be in Christchurch for the week, :ahd it was decided to utilise his services :here for that period. The following names were added to the committee, as published in yesterday's paper:—Mesdames Raphael, Luttrell, Harvey Patterson, Hohen, Miss Solomons, Messrs Buchell, Solomons, Falck,-and Cyril Ward. The following were appointed an Executive Committee: —Dr Inglis, Rev. Hordon, Miss Solomons, Mrs Seay, Messrs Cyril Ward, Raphael, Buchell, Solomons, and Falck. Another meeting was held in Mrs Rolleston's rooms this morning, Mr F. C. Raphael in the chair. The chairman reported that there wa§ every probability that, the Christchurch Orchestral Society would give a programme in the Colosseum in aid of the fund at a date to be arranged, and the news was received with much satisfaction. Rev. Hordon reported that he had arranged for 100 Boy Scouts to assemble in the morning at 9 a.m., when they would be provided with collecting boxes and badges, and directed as to their work. The members of the Cadets' Band would assemble at 10 a.m. to give their assistance. /

The Scouts will collect on Saturday, Tuesday, and Friday, and in the meantime boxes for collections ear-marked specially for the fund will be distributed amongst the various hotels. Arrangements for providing the boys with luncheon on the days mentioned were left in the hands or Mrs Rolleston.

It was decided to take no further action in the matter of holding a citizens' ball during Carnival Week, as it was considered that the time was too sliort to make the hecessary arrangements. It was also decided to ask the business firms to help the object by decorating their places with bunting, the Belgian flag to be specially prominent, in keeping with the movement.

A VISIT TO GERMANY. LECTURE BY MR H. J. MARRINER. On behalf of the Young Men's Christian Association and the Young Women's Christian Association, a most entertaining lecture on '' Germany'' was delivered in the former institution last evening by Mr H. J. Marriner, who has recently returned from a tour of nine months' duration in Europe. There were about two hundred present, and they listened with the keenest interest to all Mr Marriner had to say. The lecturer dealt first with the policy inaugurated by Frederick the Great, and explained how he had broken one of the most solemn obligations that had ever been signed, namely, the Pragmatic Sanction, by annexing Silesia. He then traced the history of Germany down to the reign of the present Kaiser, and gave an interesting account of his personality and character, and showed how he ruled the German Empire by appointing all his own ministers, and immediately dismissing them if they did not do as he wished. It was also pointed out that the Kaiser firmly believes that he holds his position by Divine right. Mr Marriner fully explained the growth of the German Army and Navy, and'dealt at length with the political question in Europe prior to the declaration of war.

The lecturer terminated the first part of his address by giving some vivid accounts of the scenes ho witnessed in London at the outbreak of hostilities. One of the most. notable of these, he said, was the way in which the Irish question had been settled. A, collection in aid of the Great Britain and Belgium Fund was,taken up.

The second half of tho lecture consisted of limelight views of several places of interest in Germany, among which were the Kiel Canal and tho naval dockyards. Various German cities and some of Germany's latest Dreadnoughts and dirigibles were also screened and most carefully explained.

At the conclusion of his lecture Mr Marriner was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.