France.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 29, 21 September 1914, Page 8

France.

REPORTS FROM VISITORS TO THE BATTLEFIELDS'.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] i [United Press Association.] Paris, September, 19.

, Sir Alfred Clpirpe, H.M. •Commissioner and Cpmmander-in-Cliief in British Central Africa, who traversed the district 'in which the recent fighting occurred, states that the Germans wrecked all unoccupied houses ds a matter of principle. Peasants were unmolested, beyond the fact that they were requisitioned lor supplies. Ihe whole of Soissons was sacked and pillaged, and the wanton damage passes belief. The contents of the shops were scattered, though there is no suggestion that the townsfolk resisted. Houses and safes were rifled, and women yore forced to give up their jewellery. Many Germans were made prisoners r.t Soissons, chiefly in batches of twenties and thirties, who were eager to be captured. Visitors to the< battlefields state that some of the burial trenches are 150 yards long. # JOTTINGS. HOW WE CET THE NEWS.

“The French engaged the Germans at , Battle raged in' the direction of • Eventually: the French retired towards (Names of places deleted by censor.) , “The 1 cruiser is reported from .” (Name of .cruiser and name of place deleted by Big-Chief Censor in London. Nationality of cruiser deleted by Little-Chief Censor in Sydney.) “The allid fores hav bn ngagd in a dsprat ncountr with th Ormans nar Coni pi fib A ftirmnt was ordrd beaus th gnral position was unfavorably ’ (Letter “e” ' dropped throughout by lino machine in an early-morning bad temper.) “Ktcbnr cmfrts .Brtsh, Rvrss xplng Grmns mst b btn.” (Vowels dropped by. sub-editor in furious hurry).—Sydney Sun.

“Flower Day,” in Dunedin on Saturday realised £6OO in aid of the Belgian relief fund. There are some small amounts still to come in.

An American gentleman has described the trouble all foreigners in Baris had in connection with money. Everybody was trying to pay bills, but unless gold ,or silver was offered the debt could not be liquidated, and consequently people had to live on credit or [cave—and they left. If you went into a restaurant you were met by the proprietor, who bluntly said to you; “Monsieur, if yon have; gold or silver yon can eat; if you have not, you must leave.”

Ifc has been repeatedly stated in recent cable messages that the British soldiers on the march sing popular songs, otic of their special favorites being ‘hit’s a long, way to Tipperary.” The chorus of this line old marching song runs thus : “It’s a long, long way to Tipperary,

,• it’s a long way to go. “It’s a long, long way to Tipperary, to the sweetest girl I know. Good-bye Piccadilly, good-bye Leicester Square, “It’s a long, long way to Tipperary, “ but my heart lies there.”

During a sitting, of the Magistrate’s Court at Taumarunui recently, a case was called on in which both counsel, one from Cambridge and the other from Taumarunui, had joined the Expeditionary Force within 10 minutes of each other on'the same morning. Another solicitor had received instructions from both sides, but, in fairness to the first-comer, he gave him priority. The other brief was sent on to the remaining solicitor, but when, the case, came on no plaintiff could be found. He had also volunteered and left.

There are not many cases of father and son going to the front with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. One such ease, however, is that of Colonel Pearless, chief medical officer of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, and Lance-Corporal Pearless, his son, who is in the Canterbury Mounted Rifle Regiment. Colonel Pearless, Y.D., lias previous active service experience, having accompanied the Eighth New Zealand Contingent to the South African war. He has resided in the Wakefield district (Nelson) for the last BO year's. During all this time ho has .boon connected with the New Zealand ‘Defence Forces, and for about 10 years, until a year ago, he was principal medical officer for the NelsonCanterbury district.

All ingenious correspondent, who is evidently, a Briton of the real old stock, sends the following contribution. which, it is understood, has been declined without thanks by the.Xorddentch Fromdenhlatt, the Potsdam Zcitnng. the Darmstadt Donnerwetter, cm! other Berlin newspapers: “The Kaiser’s Health. Non-official (per wireless). —After a dinner party given in honor of German victories on French territory, the Kaiser became suddenly unwell. His illness is attributed to the menu submitted, which was as follows:—Boast beef of Old Ragland; French beans; Brussels sprouts; Russian omelets; Japanese sauce. The symptoms commenced with swelling of the head, high fever, and severe hallucinations about a trip to Paris. His Austrian nurse reports that the symptoms are subsiding, and that the Royal patient’s mind is becoming more normal, but still his condition is very critical, with absolute collapse possible. British and French medical experts advise a complete change of climate, and indicate St. Helena, as a very suitable place.— Rule Britannia!”