OFFICIAL NEWS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2246, 4 September 1914, Page 6

OFFICIAL NEWS

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLES

RUSSIAN SUCCESSES

London, September 2, 1.25 p.m. ■ Official.—A roturn of tlie British casualties of one cavalry brigade and three divisions, less one brigade, shows: Killed, 36 officers, ,127 men; wounded, 57 officers, 629 men ; missing, 95 officers, 4183 men. The missing are those not accounted for, and may include unbounded prisoners, aad stragglers, as well as. casualties. London, September 2, 6.45 p.m. The following telegram has been received from Captain Halsey:—All on board the New Zealand congratulate the Dominion on their action in Samoa. Ploase inform the women of New Zealand that their ensign flew on board during the action off Heligoland. London, September 2, 9.10 p.m. Reliable.—The enemy's right wing is 60 miles from Paris. The Allies' lines are still unbroken. Paris is arranging for a siege. There is an absence of official news from the front: An important move by the Allies'is expected. Russia continues her progress in\Galicia, and has inflicted enormous losses on Austria. The occupation of Lemberg expected. There is increased activity near Antwerp, and further bomb throwing by Germans. . . . London, September 2, 11.20 p.m. Offioial.—The Russian Army completely routed four Austrian army corps near Lemberg, inflicting enormous losses. They captured one hundred and fifty guns. 1 .!' ; ' London, September 3, 12.50 a.m. Official.—Continuous fighting is in progress along the whole line of battle. The British' cavalry engaged with distinction the cavalry of the enemy, and pushed them back, capturing ten guns. The French Army continues the offensive and gained ground in the Lorraine region. The Russian Army is investing Konigsberg. ,

TURKEY'S ATTITUDE

'A WARNING FROM RUMANIA. (Rec. September 3, 11.5 p.m.) London, September 2, evening; Rumania has sternly warned Turkey of the danger of adopting a policy of adventure, and promised to endeavour to J arrange terms between Turkey and Griece. :

IN THE UNITED STATES

PURCHASE OF GERMAN SHIPS. Washington, September 2. ' Mr. W. G. M'Adoo, Seoretary of the Treasury, in speaking before the House (if Representatives' Merchant Marine \which is engaged upon ' a measure to enlarge the United States merchant marine, stated that no nation could challenge the right of the United. States to purchase any ships it liked for neutral use. •' The British and French protests against. the buying of German ships, ■'Mr'. M'Adoo held, were groundless, as tho ships were really bought by private owners, and not by the Government.

AFGHAN NEUTRALITY

Simla, September 2. , The Ameer of Afghanistan has written to the Viceroy of India, assuring him that he will preseirve the strictest neutrality.'') ■ ' '•■.■■■

PORTUGUESE NEUTRALITY

, _ Lisbon, September 2. Tlie authorities at Lorenzo Matquez, m Portuguese East Africa, found that -the. seals of the. wireless room on the German cargo 'steamer Kronprinz (5689 tons) had been broken.' '

They therefore dismantled the wireless installations on all detained ships.

AUSTRALASIAN PRIZE COURTS DETAINED STEAMERS. According to the' "Sydney Daily Commercial and Shipping List," advices from Melbourne state that in response ,to an invitation from the Customs Department, the consignees of goods in the detained German boats have decided m. favour of an application beine made to the Prize Courts for . permission to bring to tne several porta of consigngoods iii tho detained vessels. Ine Department will act immediately and,--in consultation with the Defence Department, . will take the necessary acaon This will involve applications to tho Prize Courts.of the several States for the provision of the necessary crews and other As the procedure is Australia,/ the Department twnks a certain amount of delay may be i experienced, '■ but every effort will be made to minimise' this and to secure speedy dispatch. . • An explanation of the position in regard.to the Prize Courts was made by the-Attorney-General, Sir \Vm, Irvine, on August. 17, when ho said:—"Prize Courts have been established in all the States, except Queensland, and probably by • this time Queensland also. The ships which were detained by the Government will be immediately vested in the Marshals of the Prize Courts,' and thus come under the control and jurisdiction of these Courts. A claim in the form of a condemnation claini will be' made, by the Crown in respect of each of these ships so detained; but .though the claim is brought in ; that form, tho Courts will, doubtless give effect to the Convention of Ghent, and with respect to ships which were either in our ports at the outbreak of war or came into our ports without knowledge of war having broken out, will make a .decreo of detention, not one of confiscation. This, however, will not apply to any ships which are so fitted' as to be convertible into ships of war. Prizo Courts will have to determine all questions .of fact which arise in connection' with their jurisdiction. For instance, as to whether the ships had knowledge of the outbreak of war when they came into our ports or not, the detained ships being placed under the control of tho Prize Courts. AH dealings with the ships and their cargoes hereafter will be governed by' the orders of those Courts which may bo perishable cargo, and, if necessity' requires it, order the sale and disposition of proceeds, or transfer to the pers'oris entitled to the cargo, p or any portion of it. The proposal which has' been suggested of facilitating tho delivery of Australian-consigned cargo to the consignees in the various parts of Australia will, therefore, be carried out under the direction of the Prize Courts, and application will have to be made to them for that-purpose. All nrangements already made will have to receive the sanction of the Prize Courts.