DEFENCE OF PARIS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 69, 13 August 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

DEFENCE OF PARIS.

The repeated attacks by aircraft on the city and suburbs of Paris, have lea the French authorities to take steps for its more adequate defence. From the military standpoint, that Ls against an army attacking, the fortifications are said to be almost impregnable. Assaults by aircraft are different. They come suddenly and unexpectedly, and artillery fire is often of very little use. To more effectively secure the capital from these attacks, the French military authorities have instituted a scries of observation stations, using for that purpose captive balloons as shown in the illustration on this page. These balloons are in telephonic communication with the military headquarters, and as soon as any hostile flyer appears in sight they give due warning. Immediately a flotilla of aeroplanes ascends and goes out to meet the en- < my. If the hostile craft persist, the aeroplanes -open fire, but generally the Germans turn tail and make off a good deal faster than they came. This latest method of defence has produced good results, for within the last few weeks several Taubes have been brought to earth before they could reach the habitable part of the city and suburbs. This n why air-attacks on Paris have Jieen less frequent of late than formerly. cnuors. An American war correspondent telli the story that a British major, who was wounded by a bursting shell before lie actually got to the firing line, was fuming with disgust at his enforced inactivity and so much fighting going on, in the American hospital at NcuilK;. The doctor went t<> the major and said: "This cot next to you is, the only one vacant: would you object wc put a German in it?" •' Ketch him in by all means," said the major, "I haven't seen one yet!"

The inspector was examining a very yoiitliful class of hoys. and anion" other Mthjects lie requested tlie teacher to ask her pupils a lew questions in Nature knowliHlge. Desiring her class t,o do her honour she decided upon tlie simple subject. "Chickens." "Xow, children," she said, "T want yrni to tell me something very wonderful ahout chickens." " How they get out of tlj-ir shells!-" promptly responded one little felhuv. •'Well." said the teacher, "that is. of oour.-e. wonderful: hut I mean something more wonderful still." There was a silence for a few seeomK Then up spoke little Johnny. "Please, ma'am, it'.- mair wonderful hoo they ever gut intae their shells." HritMi residents in Florence, besides contributing to the Red CriSs, liave decided that all those who can shall take the convalescent Italian soldier* in their villas. Several announced their readinots to take a dozen soldiers