AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

GERMAN BLACK HAND SOCIETY. LIVELY PROCEEDINGS. IN AN INTERNMENT CAMP. SySney, May 2. There were sensational disclosures at the inquiry into the death of Hans IPortman, a German prisoner of war at Holdsworthy camp. The commandant gave; evidence that numerous brutal assaults had been committed in one compound, and men were in hospital with broken ribs and fractured skulls. He was informed that the outrages were the result of the formation of a Black Hand Society, consisting of thirty or forty members, who threatened the lives of moneyed and influential persons if they did not pay certain sums.

A political organisation existed in the camp, instigated oy influential people, for the furtherance of political ends in the camp. When they had done with , the president they clubbed him over the head and fixed him out. ISeveral disturbances arose on April 19, culminating in two thousand prisoners armed with cudgels maltreating several so-called members of the Black Hand Society. Four of these, covered with blood and gravel, were thrown ovei the compound gate, and were picked up and put in hospital. One of them, Portman, died iu a few minutes.

Later, the commandant stated that he could not prevent the troubles unless he shot a number of Germans, which would be inhuman, as the prisoners were thereby ridding themselves of the criminal element. He had since interned fifteen suspected members of the Black Hand and the disturbances had ceaaed.

THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM Melbourne, May 3. Mr. Pearce stated that the Federal War Committee recommended that the voluntary system be given a further trial. The question of voluntaryism and conscription was then reviewed. Approval wag given to the organisation of a camel corps of Australian troops, each brigade to furgish two sections. FLOUR FOR THE ALLIES. Melbourne, May 3. Negotiations are proceeding with the Imperial authorities to purchase two cargoes of flour for the use of the Allies, . j • COST OF PENSIONS. 1 ' Melbourne, May .i. War pensions granted to the end of April total G26G, and the annual liability is £199,079.