General News

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 280, 24 November 1914, Page 5

General News

THE DARDANELLES QUESTION. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, November 22. A leader in the Novoe Vremya expresses the conviction that Turkey’s action against England and Russia possesses a useful aspect, with a possibility of outweighing its disadvantages, because it dissipates the ancient prejudice in regard to the control of the Dardanelles.

THE GREAT GERMAN GAMBLE.

Loudon, November 22

• M. Froelstra, leader of the Dutch Socialists, after a visit to Germany, draws a striking contrast between the departure for the war theatre of fresh, young troops, full of enthusiasm } and the returning of the wounded, broken, deadly weary. He says the feeling in Germany is that of a losing gambler striving to win a fortune in one throw, and staking his all on a single card. SOME EFFECT IN- GERMANY. United Press Association. Berne, November 23. The exchange value of the German mark has again fallen. It is now 111 centimes, compared with 123 at the outset of the war. Germany does not allow this news to be mentioned in the German newspapers. Copenhagen, November 23. German officials are endeavouring to buy foodstuffs and footwear in Scandinavia. London, November 23. The Daily Telegraph publishes the views of an American who recently came from Berlin, and who had ample opportunities of studying the situation. He states that sixty-eight army corps were mobilised, each of 43,000 men, and two million volunteers were ready to fill up the gaps. The Germans are continually chang- i ing the units between the two fronts. They find that the journey rests the men, and the change of scene prevents them getting stale. PROTECTION BADLY NEEDED. London, November 22, The Cologne Gazette berates Mr Asquith for asserting that the Kaiser’s aim has been wrecked, and proceeds: “The immediate aim of the Kaiser, is to protect his people from the Turcos, the English, Belgians, Sikhs, Russians, French, Tartars, and all other black and white or yellow and brown mixtures.” BERLIN PREPARES FOR SIEGE. London, November 22. A Russian doctor who escaped from Germany reports that the Germans are preparing on an enormous scale for the defence of Berlin. Guns of the heaviest calibre have been mounted, and a largo quantity of stores accumulated. RELIEF FOR BELGIANS. London, November 23. The Commisison for the relief of the Belgians has completed organisation in the United States, whereby a million pounds’ worth of food will be sent monthly. Country folk are arriving in Brussels at the rate of 25,000 a day, in order to participate in the food distribution. THE AMMUNITION SUPPLIES. London, November 23. The , Daily Telegraph’s informant continues: “The German losses total 950,000, whereof many have already rejoined. The chief trouble is scarcity of rubber, copper, and saltpetre, and probably the failure of ammunition will render it impossible to continue the war on the present scale after June. Germany means to keep Belgium as a final asset wherewith to negotiate. For the same reason she is unlikely to risk her fleet. The military authorities are convinced that they can counter Russia, owing to the mobility of her # strategic railways. If the ThornBreslau line is forced, she can defend the Oder.” ALIENS SHOT IN CONCENTRATION CAMP. London, November 22. A regrettable affray occurred at the alien camp at Douglas. Four thousand German and Austrian civilians were interned, guarded by 300 National reservists and Maux Territorials. Everything was satisfactory until the arrival qf the latest hatch of prisoners, when insubordination commenced, the prisoners insulting sentries and refusing to obey orders. Finally complaints about the food re. suited in violent scenes in the dining pavilion. Knives and plates were thrown about and chairs smashed. A party of prisoners tried to rush the kitchen. A few soldiers barred the passage. First the soldiers fired into the air, but then it became necessary to shoot in earnest. The prisoners mostly held up their hands, hut others sought to fly. Five were killed and fifteen wounded.

THE LULL IN BELGIUM. London, November 22,

The Times, in a leader, says: “We would counsel strict reserve concerning the present lull in the battle line, for our redoubtable enemies are never more dangerous than when conspicuously quiet. It is cheering to know from the eastern theatre that the

German offensive in Central Poland has come to a’ full-stop, as we confidently expected.” i