EUROPE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 7

EUROPE.

Antomoblliaation. Germany is following Britain’s example and is experimenting with the mobilisation of troops by means of motor-cars at Frankfort, Strasburg and other places. Cross Purposes. The Czar has vetoed a bill creating a naval general staff, after it had passed the Doutna and the Council of the Empire. Sbe Government introduced the mea-

sure with the Osar’s consent, but the reactionaries, led by Count Witte and M. Durnovo, persuaded the Czar that the bill was an attempt to undermine the autocracy. Count Witte’s real object is said to have been to secure M. Stolypin’s resignation, but the Czar refused to accept this. German Docks. There are now built or building 12 docks in Germany capable of lloating-iu Dreadnoughts on their heaviest draught. Nine of these are on the North Sea. Written Through the Air. Heyland, a Norwegian, and Chalin and Chantelot, French inventors, have announced simultaneous inventions respectively recording ethergrams in print and transmitting tlie handwriting <<( the sender. Coming Into Line. Austria is preparing an aerial fleet of the Parseval type. Major von Parseval. a German officer, constructed a dirigible airship on the non-rigid principle some time ago, and two of the type have been built for the Germany army balloon corps. He met with many accidents and small success with his airship until last year, when the machine made several successful trips with and against the wind, manoeuvring successfully over Berlin. French Postal Employees' Strike, The strike of French postal employees has turned out a fiasco, there being only 4C5 absentees on Thursday from the post and telegraph offices. The strike leaders bluffed the previous day’s meeting by an imaginary conversation on a dummy telephone, whereby it was suggested that the postal officials in the provinces supported the strike. A majority of the employees object to the revolutionary character imparted to the strike. " Shelling Out.” The ""Daily Mail’s" Salonika correspondent reports that Talaat Bey, vice-presi-dent of the Chamber of Deputies, has secured Abdul Hamid’s signature to the withdrawal of the funds deposited by Abdul Hamid in foreign banks. Some reports state that the amount transferred amounts to two millions. Talaat Bey failed to obtain the keys of two of the strong rooms at Yildiz Kiosk, but the officers guarding the exSußan’a residence at Salonika compelled the fallen ruler to surrender the keys. Teetotal Tommies. Tea will henceforth be the staple drink of the German Army, supplanting bear and coffee. To Build Aeroplanes. A private company has been formed in Germany for the manufacture of Wright aeroplanes. Portuguese Politics. Wenceslau de Lima (Minister for Foreign Affairs in the late Government) has formed a non-party Cabinet in Portugal. He is the most independent and safest statesman available, and this is considered to be the last chance of obtaining a stable Government with the present Chamber. Dreadnoughts Popular. It is stated that four Italian Dreadnoughts, instead of two, will be completed in three years’ time. The Naval Estimates have been increased by £6,000,000, at the rate of a million annually. Musical Deputies. Extraordinary scenes occurred during the postal debate in the Chamber of Deputies. The Socialists started singing the revolutionary air "Internationale commence, debout lea damnes do la terra’’ (Literallyi The International age commences, stand up, ye condemned of ths earth). A great uproar ensued, and the Republicans raised the "Marseillaise," and the Royalists "La Vendee’’ (a song of

the Royalist stronghold at the time of the Revolution), drowning the song of the Socialists. The President adjourned the House at four o’clock. M. Barthou (Minister for Public Works) stated that 2357 out of 24,113 postal employees ware now striking. The Premier (M. Clemenceau) called on the Chamber to support the Govern ment, and a vote of confidence was carried by 365 votes to 159. Germany Has Caught It Now Admiral Galster. a distinguished Ger man naval officer, lias published an alarming treatise to show to what danger German ports are subject from British raids. The treatise lias caused great interest all oier Germany, and has stimulated the policy of increasing the fleet-.