NOTES AND COMMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18069, 19 March 1923, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS

V --- ——— ' ■■■—- How Cruel: 1 Europe could easily liquidate her indebtedness to the United States if it could be done with liquids.—Cleveland Commercial. » # • At Lausanne: Events may prove that after all the breakdown of the Lausanne Conference was not altogether a bad thing. The Turks have not found it an easy matter to agree amongst themselves as to the terms of peace, and in the meantime the dosire for peace amongst the Turkish population and the troops is reported to have grown. The Allies possibly can better afford to play a waiting game than can the Angora Government. It was suggested in some of the British newspapers in January that Britain should make up her mind what was really worth fighting for in the terms of settlement and to abandon all else. This practically is what Earl Curzon appears to have done, and there are signs that the Turks recognise that they have little more to hope for. Whatever their proposed peace terms may be it seems fairly clear now that a settlement satisfactory to Britain will he reached without danger of- the complications which threatened a few months hack. — Abo Dominion. * • • Why He Whispered: A Digger was one night'sent hack from the Messincs trenches to act as guide to several staff officers visiting the front line. Presently the Digger tripped, and whispered to the nearest r-taff officer: “Barbed wire/’ “Barbed wire,” the officer whispered hack to his brother officers. 'Again the Digger stumbled. “Shell-hole,” came his whispered warning, which was repeated liy the officer nearest him. For half an hour tlic whispered warnings continued. It seemed to the leading staff officer that a long time was being taken to reach the trenches. Presently ho tapped the Digger on the shoulder. “How far from the line now?” he whispered. “About a nvle and a half,” came the wbisnorod reply. “Then whafc the hell arc you whispering for?” roared the officer. “Getter had cold,” whispered tlw I)igger.—Sydnoy Sun.