NOTES FROM LONDON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144855, 6 December 1915, Page 3

NOTES FROM LONDON.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE. BETWEEN WAR COUNCILS. BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPTRICHT. (Received Dec. 6, 8.0 a.m.) LONDON, Doc. 5. The Press Bureau states that Air. Asquith, Lord Kitchener and Air. Balfour and military and naval advisers had a conference with M. Briand, Generals Galheni and Lacast at Calais lor day and returned in the evening. TRADE WITH LONDON. A BIG INCREASE. LONDON, Dec. 4. For the half-year ended September 30 the Port of London /minority handled 1,47:1,060 tons of imports, as compared with 1,117,603 tons lor the corresponding period ot 1914. The increase is largely due to wool, moat, and other Australian and Now Zealand products. NEED OF SUNDAY REST. LONDON. Doc. 4. Tho committee appointed to' inquire into the health of munition workers recommends the discontinuance of Sunday labour, and emphatically declares that if the maximum output is to be kept up for any length of time a weekly rest during the period is imperative. AN ALIEN’S DEFENCE. LONDON. Dec. 4. Mrs. Saville states that she has not visited Germany for thirty years, and has not possessed an atom of sympathy for Germany. She regarded her employment in the War Office as some compensation for removing her from her East Coast home. Admiral von Tirpita had never visited her home, though in one instance Lady Somerset had opened negotiations to take him as a paying guest, but tho idea foil through. AUSTRALIANS AND THE KING. LONDON, Dec. 4. Tho King, at Buckingham Palace, decorated ton soldiers who have won Victoria Crosses, four Australians being included. He warmly shook hands with them, and congratulated them on winning the proud distinction. One V.C. man describes tho King thus: “He makes you feel that he takes an interest in you; he is something like a father who is proud of his sons.” The King is still weak.

A GIFT FROM CEYLON. LONDON, Dec, 5. The Ceylon Legislative Council has voted one hundred thousand annually for ten years towards the cost of the war. POULTRY FOR FRENCH FARMERS (Received Dee. 6, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, Deo. 5. British farmers have sent ruined French farmers two thousand head of poultry. . LOYAL LONDON GREEKS. (Received Doc. 6, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5.. The Greek community in London,, in order to express its pro-Entente sympathies, is equipping ambulances for the British in the Balkans. Six thousand sterling has been subscribed. THE AMERICAN EXCHANGE. CARNEGIE FUNDS TO THE RESCUE. (Received Dec. 6, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. With a view to meeting the Government’s desire for the realisation of American securities as a means towards the regularisation of exchange, the Carnegie Hero Fund, University of Scotland and Dumferlme trustees, are selling five million sterling worth of StEel Corporation bonds and investing war, loan.

AN INGENIOUS SCHEME. FOR BOGUS MUNITION CONTRACTS. (Received Dec. 6, 8.0 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. Priesilv, a commission agent, was sentenced to four mouths’ imprisonment for having attempted to trade in war material without a permit. Letters intercepted indicated that tho prisoner was attempting to push the sale of one or two million Mausers. Other documents related to 5000 tons of picric acid and a million Mausers and included plans of mines, bombs, aeroplanes and airships. Mr. Bodkin, prosecuting, said on behalf of the War Office that German agents in xVmcrica were putting people forward to contract to supply munitions to tho Allies knowing they were unable to supply tho goods. Tho importance of tho scheme could not be exaggerated. WARNING TO INSURANCE COMPANIES. (Received Dec. 6, 8.0 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. The Admiralty caution insurance companies against communicating particulars of risks on Government work to companies and persons other than British when effecting reinsurance. Offenders are liable to prosecution and will also bo prosecuted if particulars are sent to countries outside the Empire whether to branch establishments or registered British companies or otherwise. THE CLERGY AND ENLISTMENT. LORD DERBY’S VIEWS. (Received Dec. 6, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. The Primate, in a letter to Lord Derby, complained that some of tho clergy incur tho stigma of being shirkers when they decline to enlist, acting under a Bishop’s instructions. Lord Derby has replied that ministers of all denominations must do their duty by obeying their superiors’ orders, and no slur can ho attached to them.

REDUCED DRUNKENNESS. AS RESULT OF LEGISLATION. (Received Dec. 6, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. Tho Weekly Dispatch, comparing the convictions for drunkenness last week with those of tho preceding week,claims that it has been proved that people can bo made sober by legislation and that partial prohibition does lessen drinking. The Bow Street convictions dropped 50 por cent. A REVERSE IN PERSIA. BRITISH RETREAT NEAR BAGDAD.. BEFORE SUPERIOR FORCES. FEB TRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. The High Commissioner reports, under date London, Doc. 4, 4.10 p.ra. In Mesopotamia, General rownshend remained in possession of tho battlefield at Ctesiphon, beating off counter-at-tacks till tho removal of the wounded and 1600 prisoners had been accomplished ; but in view of. our heavy losses and the arrival of reinforcements ha then withdrew. Our total casualties were 4567. On Tuesday night General Town?hend’s forces fought a rearguard action against greatly superior Turkish forces. Our casualties are estimated at 150. Our river boats were disabled and abandoned, their guns and engines being rendered useless to the enemy. General Townshend in Ids report remarks on tho steadiness of the troops. They are now within a few miles of Kutelamara, whither they are retiring. LONDON, Deo. 4. Before retiring, General Townshond completed the removal of tho wounded and 1600 prisoners. A Turkish communique, dated December 2, has been released for publication. It says that the troops on the Irak front are conducting a vigorous pursuit in order to complete tho English defeat. It is ascertained that tho enemy from November 23 to 26 lost over 5000, and sent about 2400 wounded away by steamer in one day. The enemy tried to arrest the retreat with the rearguard, under protection of

monjtors, fifteen kilometres south-west of Azizio, but on the night of November 30 a surprise attack forced him to withdraw in tho direction of Kutelniara. Wo cajjturcd 100 camels, provisions, ammunition, various war materials, and three small vessels. Another Turkish communique, dated December 4, says:—On tho Irak front tho enemy’s attempts to evade our pursuit, and seeking tho protection of their gunboats, has always failed owing to our energetic attacks. Wo have captured several hundred prisoners, two transport vessels laden with provisions, and two gunboats named tho Kamcd and Firkills, and much war material. Our forces which wore dispatched to Kutelamara aro attacking tho retreating enemy, indicting severe losses. A Turkish communique mentions that tho Turks have captured four aeroplanes at Aziezio, three of which were repaired and aro being used against the enemy. •

DISORDER IX PERSIA. ENCOURAGED BY GERMANS. nuns AND SYDNEY SUN SERVICES. (Received Dec. 6, 8 a.m.) LONDON, Doc. 5. In tho House of Commons, bir Edward Grey said that there had been isolated acts of brigandage and revolts iu the south of Persia for several years, but it was not until last spring that the British Government received direct evidence that tho elements ; of tho disorder were organised and encouraged by German agents in defiance to tho Persian Government, Only tho regular Persian force was available at the time for the restoration of order. This force totalled ItoOO, and a portion was sent to llamedan in October, hut the Persian Government was unable to denude the capital by sending troops to tho remoter provincial centres. THE OFFICIAL REPORT. OF THE BRITISH RETREAT. (Received Dec. 6, 8.53 n.m.) LONDON, Doc. 5. Official Our total casualties in tho actions at Ctesiphon were 4567, including 133 officers. General Townsliond reports that ho fought a rearguard action on the night of tho 13th against greatly superior Turkish forces, in which our casualties were loti. Two river boats wero disabled by shell lire and abandoned, but tho guns and engines wore rendered useless. The retirement was carried out in perfect order. The latest reports state that General Townshend was within a few milos of Kutelamara-, on which lie was retiring. THE BAGDAD VICTORY. TURKISH REJOICINGS. (Received Dec. 6, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. A German wireless says that the news of the Turkish victory in Mcsopouvnia was known in Constantinople on Friday afternoon. There was great rejoicing and houses were btTlagged. Tho population of Bagdad gave a concert lor the benefit of the wounded. , NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. SOME DISAPPOINTMENT FELT. (Received Dec. G, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. Tho newspapers do not attempt to minimise the disappointment at tho eighty mile withdrawal from Bagdad, but point out that CkmoraJ Townshend was outnumbered by four to one. It is evident that the Turks’ losses at Ctesiphon were so heavy that they bad to withdraw until reinforced. Tho Weekly Dispatch says that ■■■' Kutelamara is safely reached it does not doubt that General Townshend will bo able to await reinforcements, ns tho position is very strong! The paper suggests that tho British force is too weak to defeat the Turks at tho end of 500 miles of communications, and a very strong force should have been sent.

CAUSE OF BRITISH REVERSE. ARABS TRUSTED TOO MUCH (Received Dec, G, 8.0 n.m.) AMSTERDAM, Doc. 5. The Constantinople correspondent of tlio Vossicho Zeitung says that the miscarriage of the British plans in Mesopotamia was duo to tho participation of Arab tribes, whom tbo British believed to bo faithful, but they sided with the Turks when the British prospects wore most favourable.