WAR NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1916, Page 2

WAR NOTES.

AX EX-NEW ZEALANDER'S NOTES. Writing from East Sandling Camp, England, on January 1, Mr. Frank (Jane, son of Mr. F. ,1. ("Jane, of Normanby, says that at that time the wet Weather was making the camp a lake of mud. Continuing, he adds: "Still, at that, we are better off than the Canadians were on Salisbury Plain last winter. My scouts are kept busy tramping over the hills da.y and night, and so we get away from tiie mud a good deal. There is ■so much night work at the front that jihe value of scouts is being better recognised. My fear is that I may be kept here over long for training purposes. Of course, somebody must do the training, but I don't want t.o be the one any longer than I can help. There are no signs of the war ending—rather, that it will make a good beginning in two months 'time. No one talks of peace, only of renewed efforts to win, and we can win, and will win. A man dies just once, and who wouldn't be willing to die for the stakes for which wo fight? , . . Still, we must win, no matter who goes down,' Mr. Ganc went to Canada, some twelve years ago after having been at Klondike. He studied at Winnipeg University, and after some years of hard work, had become a professor on the stall' of the University. Last year he gave up his position and went with his regiment, the Cameron Highlanders of Canada, to England, wJth the Canadian Expeditionary Force. —Star.

QUICK PROMOTION FOR ABILITY.

The war we are waging against Germany lias not only emphasised the admirable qualities of the French soldier, who has adapted himself to a style of lighting which is not exactly to his taste, but it has brought to light a certain number of leaders who may with pride be compared to the generals of the Empire (says the Petit Parisien). Some who to-day are chiefs of the army were only simple divisional officers — for example, General d'Urbal. The most remarkable case of promotion is assuredly that of General Petain, who at the beginning of the war was only colonel commanding the 33rd Regiment of Infantry, and who became successively general of brigade, general of division, and commander of an army corps. For nearly sir months he had' been at the head of one of our principal armies which lately covered itself with glory. General Petain id one of our most esteemed oliiefs whose high qualities of Strategy, energy and sangfroid have never for » single instant failed in the eourse of the various operations in which he has taken part.