SIDELIGHTS OF THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1319, 3 November 1914, Page 4

SIDELIGHTS OF THE WAR.

INTERESTING GLIMPSES rROM ALL SOURCES.

TEN SONS WITH THE COLOURS.

The attention of his Majesty having been drawn to the fact that Mr and Mrs Calpln, of New York, have ten sons in the Navy and Array, Sir William Carrington has written that the King has heard the fact with the deepest gratification, and sends his congratulations “and hopes you will convey the same, together with his best wishes, to them for success, health and happiness in ihelr noble career.” They have also received the congratulations ot the Prime Minister. ENTENTE IN PRACTICE. Numbers of English soldiers are still in Paris, it being a frequent and amusing sight to see the British private with his confrere, the little French “Piou Piou,” apparently carrying on an animated conversation, chiefly Hth the aid of much gesticulation, as neither understands the other’s language ! The politeness of the “host” is invariably shown by the Englishman sitting on his right as the honoured “guest” ! CHLOROFORM BY THE TON. It is possible that the amount of business the United States is to receive as a direct result of the European war may be underestimated, Some of the big importing and exporting houses in New York have been astonished by the number of enquiries they are receiving from abroad for commodities of all descriptions. One big exporting bouse with Russian connexions is being bombarded daily with long cable messages from that country asking for prices on practically everything from a package of pins to a battleship. The comprehensive nature of the demand for goods is indicated by one of the items mentioned, namely, five tons of chloroform, A DIFFERENT WAY. The German officer's method of fighting is altogether different from ours. Both the British and French officers lead their men into battle. The German is behind all the time, driving the men forward. His sword is in his right hand, his revolver in his left. And he is constantly using both. If a German soldier, thus driven forward, shows the slightest flicker of hesitation he is shot between the shoulders by the officer straight away. So, at least, our own men declare. And so he blunders bewilderingly forward—on to Paris, with death raging madly behind him, and the swords of his superiors flogging him along the way.

WORN OUT WITH FATIGUE

After sustaining this terrible incessant attack for more than two days, the Belgian troops were worn out by fatigue. A regiment of the line coming proudly along marched into the luwn to the strains of the “Marseillaise,” during a murderous hail of projectiles. Alas! They had arrived 100 late. Namur had become an inferno, and at midday the order was given to retreat. I understand that the retreating force was very severely handled, and that a large number of prisouers fell into the hands of the Germans.

As an instance of the scientific manner in which the Germans conduct their warlike operations, I would mention that the first shells fired at Namur were directed against the wireless installation at the top of a hill overlooking the ancient citadel.

GOOD RAILWAY WORK

It appears to me that the French railway administration has done wonders during these last few weeks. The pressure has been almost inconceivable, says one writer before the battle of the Marne.

Not only men, but guns, ammunition, horses, provender, and all sorts of supplies have to be moved en masse. One of my colleagues writes: — “la one big farm near Bievres, where a cup of fresh milk was supplied to me, I saw 52 big guns ready for action. There were no gunners near them, but these were not far away. In anticipation I pity the men of the Kronprinz’s army who may come under the fire of these guns in the neighbourhood ot Vitry le Francois, for the men are sons ot fathers killed by Prussians in 1870 war, and their mothers reared them to expect today.”