MISCELLANEOUS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2338, 21 December 1914, Page 6

MISCELLANEOUS

PAPAL SYMPATHY HIS HOLINESS AND BELGIUM London! December 18. The Pope has written to the 'Archbishop of Malines (Cardinal Mercier) deploring -tlie condition of tho Belgian people and the Royal Family, and declining to accept any _ offerings of Peter's Pence from Belgium at this sad moment.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) [Peter's Pence is a voluntary contribution made by the devout of the Catholic Church for the support of the Pope. It is taken up in the churches once every year.] CENSORS' HOLIDAY. NO WAR NEWS FOR 81 HOURS. . London, December 18. ■ Official.—The Press Bureau Censors' Office will be closed from 2 p.m. on December 24 until 9 • p.m. _ on Christmas Day, during which time no war news will be passed. INSURANCE ON COMBATANTS. • 'A DEADLOCK REACHED. London, December 18. Alany insurance companies are not accepting insurance on combatants. A deadlock has been reached. It is suggested that the Government should reinsure for war risks. — ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) A PROPHECY. FORECAST OF MADAME DE THEBES. London, December 18. Madame de Thebes, the Paris prophetess, describes the year 1915 as being full of tumults. The splendours of war should end between March and July.' Italy mil draw the sword and Germany will be torn to pieces by revolution. DANCING DERVISHES. ENROLLED BY TURKS. London, December 18. Tho Turks are enrolling regiments of dancing dervishes. —("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Servicos.) TELL-TALE STAMPS. GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND. London, December 18. The newspaper "Matin" reproduces stamps prepared in Berlin indicating that' Switzerland would become part of the Gorman Empire. MEfiTINC OF KINCS. GREAT PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM. (Rec. December 20, 3.50 p.m.) Stockholm, December 19. The meeting of the three monarcliß (the Kings of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark) at Malmo, to consider "Mie mitigation of the economic difficulties affecting their countries, was of the most cordial character and the public displayed great enthusiasm. SHIP-BUILDING. CRUISER BUILT IN RECORD TIME. (Rec. December 20, 5 p.m.) London, December 19. The Press Bureau supplies an interesting record of Bhip construction. In

Cammell Laird's yard the light cruiser Caroline was laid down in January last and was delivered complete on September 17,' after satisfactory trials. The contract date for delivery was May 21 next.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) [The Caroline was laid down on January 28 ; so that Cammell Laird and Co. have built this light cruiser in 233 days. The Caroline is of the same class as the Arethusa and Undaunted, which have already distinguished themselves, the former in the Heligoland fight, and the latter in sinking four Gorman destroyers. The Caroline s displacement is about 3760 tons, her speed is 29 knots, and she carries two 6-inch and. eight 4-inch guns, with two twin torpedo tubes for discharging the largest and most powerful guns now raade-l IN THE CAMEROONS. (Rec. December 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 19. The Colonial Office summary of the operations in the German Cameroons shows that the whole northern railway running northward from Bonaderi is in our hands. LOCAL NAVY. A CONSULTATION PENDING. (R«c. December 20, 3.30 p.m.) Melbourne, December 20. Mr. Andrew Fisher, Commonwealth Premier, sails for New Zealand on Thursday to consult the Dominion Government on defence and other matters and to push proposals for co-oper-atillg iii a local Navy. CARGO CONDEMNED. BY BRITISH PRIZE COURT. (Rec. December 20, 5 p.m.) London, December 19. The Prize Court has made an order of condemnation of the sausage oases which the Indrabarah is bringing from Now Zealand to Hamburg.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

AUSTRALIAN WAR FUND.: (Reo. December 20, 6.5 p.m.) Sydney, December 20. The War Fund now totals £1,015,000. AUSTRALIAN DESTROYERS. DERWENT LAUNCHED ON SATURDAY. (Reo. December 20, 5.0 p.m.) Sydney, December 20. The destroyer Derwent was successfully launched yesterday. The slipway will be occupied by t'he Swan. Work on the Torrens is well advanced and it is expected to launch, her shortly. WHOLLY CONSTRUCTED IN AUSTRALIA. (Rec. December 21, 0.10 a.m.) Sydney, December 20. The Derwent is the first warship completely constructed in Australia, and in speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Jensen stated it would be the. forerunner of many such launchings of ships of the Australian Navy, as. the Government intends to continue the industry. A BIC REMITTANCE. l (Reo. December 20, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, December 20. The Belgian Consul has remitted free of exchange a further sum of £20,000 for tlio relief of Belgians, being contributions from New, South' Wales,. Auckland, and Christchurch. DEFENCE CONTRACTORS. OBLIGED TO SIGN A DECLARATION. (Rec.' December 21, 0.10 a.m.) Melbourne, December 20. Senator Pearce, Minister of Defence, states that all firms contracting for the Defence Department aro required to sign a declaration that no one connect'ed with the business is an enemy subject, and, that goods supplied have not been manufactured in the enemy country. COMMONWEALTH NOTE ISSUE. AN INCREASE AUTHORISED. (Rec. December 21, 0.10 a.m.) Melbourne, December 20. The Governor-General (Sir R. MunroFerg;uson) has approved an order authorising an increase in the Australian note issue to twenty millions, instead of sixteen millions.

ATTACKS ON AMERICA. COUNT BERNSTORFF'S MISSION FAILED. (Rec. December 21, 0.10 a.m.) Amsterdam, December 20. The German newspapers to make still further attacks on. America. This , is interpreted as recognition that the mission of Count Bernstorff and Herr Dernburg _ to influence American opinion, is a failure. OFFICIAL NEWS The following message has been received by His Excellency the Governor from the Secretary of State for the Colonies: — London, December'lß. The' French Government reports progress near Vermolles, on the road from Ypres and Menin, south and south-east of Dixschooto, and in the region of Bapaume and Peronue. The Russian Government reports success in the direction of Mlawa, and tho sinking of the German armoured cruiser Friedrich Karl, with two-thirds of her crew. London, December 18.

Paris reports:—Progress was made in Belgium, all counter-attacks by the enemy failing. In the region of Arras a vigorous offensivo was made. Tho French captured several trenches in the La Bassee neighbourhood. At Blangy they carried their front forward over a distance of 1000 yards, capturing nearly all the trenches of the onemy's first line. , In the Tracy Le Val, Aisne, and Champagne districts tho Allies' heavy artillery gained a distinct advantago over tho enemy. In the Argonno district the Germans blew up one trench, north of Four de Paris, and also at St. Hubert. Infantry attacks were repulsed. The Prime Minister has received tho following message from the High Commissioner:— Paris, Official.—We pushed forward south of Kortekeer, in Belgium. The advance has been continued in the marshy lands in the Ypres district. Wo advanced over a kilometer in two days south of La Bassee. We progressed in the direction of St. Laurent and Blangy. Despite heavy counter-attacks, the positions conquered 'on the 17th are being maintained. We advanced under heavy fire and against wire entanglements to the second line of the enemy's trenches, in tho Albert district. North of Manicourt one trench. taken on the previous day was abandoned, the enemy firing it with band-grenades. Several German trenches were taken at Mametz. Three violent attacks were repulsed at Liboiis. Wo exploded tho German trenches at . Lagrurie. The enemy slightly progressed at St. Hubert. Two heavy German batteries wero demolished, and a third damaged, aviators directing tho firing- from the heights of the Meuse.

American Consul's investigation proves that German charges of unseemly treatment of civil enemy prisoners at Ilong-Kong are unfounded. The King telegraphed his congratulations to tho Sultan of Egypt, expressing his conviction that the co-operation of the Ministers of the Protectorate and Britain would successfully overcome the inlluenees seeking to destroy tho iiulopendeneo of Egypt and tho liberty and happiuoss of its people.