New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 56, 2 November 1914, Page 8

New Zealand

LOUIS OF BATTENBERC.

[Pin Pbbbb Amooution.l Wellington, November 1. The Premier lias received the following from the High Commissioner:— Prince Louis of Battenberg's resignation was as follows:—"Dear Mr Churchill—i have latterly been driven to the painful conclusion that at this juncture my birth and parentage have the effect of impairing in some respects my usefulness ou the Board of Admiralty. In these circumstances I feel it my duty, as a loyal subject Majesty, to resign the office of First Sea Lord, hoping thereby to facilitate the administration of the great service to which I have devoted my life, and to ease the burden laid on Ministers."

MR CHURCHILL'S REPLY.

Mr Churchill replied:—"Dear Prince Louis,—This is no ordinary war, but a struggle between nations for life and death. It raises passions between races of the most terrible kind, effaces old landmarks, and the frontiers of our civilisation. I cannot further oppose the wish you have during the last few weeks expressed to me to be released from the burden of responsibility which you have borne thus far with so much honor and success. The anxieties and toils which rest upon the naval administration of our country are in themselves enough to try a man's spirit. When to them is added the ineradicable difficulties of which you speak, 1 could not at this juncture, in fairness, ask you to support them. The Navy of to-morrow bears the imprint of your work. The enormous impending influx of capital ships, and the score of 30knot cruisers, destroyers, and submarines unequalled in modern construction, which are coming, now to hand, are the results of labours which we have had in common, and in which the Board of the Admiralty owe so much to your aid. The step which secured the timely concentration of the Fleet was taken by you. I must express publicly my deep indebtedness to you, and the pain I feel at the severance of our tWee years' official association. In all the circumstances you are right in your decision. The spirit in which you have acted is the same in which Prince Maurice of Battenberg has given his life for our cause, and in which your gallant son is now serving in the Fleet. I beg you to accept my profound respect, and that of your colleagues on the Board." * .

PRINCE LOUIS OF BATTENBURC.

Christchuroh, October 31

An ex-naval officer writes to the Press as follows:—"An anecdote concerning Prince Louis of Battenberg may serve to show that, although of German extraction, the Prince learned a lesson in the early part of his career which lie has probably not forgotten; It was in the '.seventies, and the writer and the Prince were serving on hoard the Royal Alfred, the flagship on the North American and West Indian station. One day the Prince had been detailed to act as midshipman in charge* of the 'beef boat,' and with two 'men wont to the wharf for the ship's supply of meat. Something went wrong, and the Prince swore roundly at the men, and one of them lifted his first and sent his Royal Highness flying. Of course, under the 'Articles of War,' striking a superior officer means 'death, or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned. When the boat arrived at the ship, the Prince reported the offender and the gravity of the matter was realised when an iiupromtu courtmartial assembled on the quarter deik. The captain said to the seaman: What have you to say in your defence?' The man replied:' 'Please, sir, I would not mind being sworn at in English^but I won't 1)0 sworn at in German* by a foreigner 1' The captain accepted this view of the case as reasonable, simply reprimanded the man for his hasty action under provocation, and then lectured Prince Louis of Battenburg before all the officers and men in such terms that it is unlikely be could ever forget the incident.

OFFICIAL.

Wellington, November I

The following cable message was received by the Prime Minister from the High Commissioner, dated London, October 31, 10.45 p.m.:—'

Official: Paris reports that yesterday a general offensive movement was made by the enemy all along the front from Nieuport to Arras, and violent attacks were made on other parts o( the line of battle. From Nieuport to La Bassee Canal there were alternating advances and retirements. South of Nieuport the Germans who were occupying Ramscapelle were driven out. South of Ypres we lost a few points on the Dappui-Hollebekc-Landvoorde line. Progress was made east of Ypres, in the direction of Passcendaele. Between La Bassee and Arras all the German attacks were repulsed with heavy losses on the pare of the enemy. In the Chaulnes district we progressed beyond Lihons, and occupied Quesney en Santerre. In the Aisne district progress was made on the heights on the river bank below Soissons, but we had to retire towards Vailly. We have advanced in the region of Souain. heavy fighting taking place at Argonne. Further ground was gained in the Wocyre forest, and at Lepretre. The Japanese War Office announces that a general bombardment of Tsing(tao was commenced to-day.

A British Order-in-Council provides for the operation of -tho Declaration of London regarding neutral ships, which are HahTo to capture if proceeding to the enemy's ports.

The Allies are reported to be occu-

pying an advanced position three miles from Csteud, the position having been gained through a British bayonet charge. Official: The Indian contingent has joined the Anglo-Japanese forces at Tsing-tao. Severe lighting continues with little intermission along the line, especially towards the north. The German resistance is stubborn and fierce, while counter-attacks are made frequently. Nevertheless, the British are steadily gaining ground. In counter-attacking one brigade delivered a brilliant bayonet charge, accounting for many of the enemy, whose losses throughout the, fighting were heavy.