General News

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 29, 5 February 1915, Page 8

General News

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. THE POPE EXPEDITING THE PROCESS. Times and Sydney Sun Seavjce. (Received 8 a.m.) The Pope is taking new steps to expedite the exchange of civil prisoners above tifty-iive years of age, and also the children.

THE PEARLS OF THE PACIFIC. DOMINIONS URGED TO CLAIM INDEPENDENCE. United Paess Association. London, February 3. Tlu> Daily Mail gives prominence to an article in the German-American weekly, "The Fatherland," headed "For Englisn" Colonics- -Peace with Freedom;" It appeals to Australia and New Zealand, as ''Jewels of Gracchi set in the Pacific," to yield to the inevitable, and declare for separation from Britain in order to avoid unhappy fortune when .the late Mistress of the Seas has surrendered her trident. The article adds: "The honors of naval war are yours. The capture of tha Fandeii, which looms large and bright in a long series of Allied disasters, will not he held against you in the linn I reckoning'with a generous adversary." The Journal appeals to Ireland and Canada to throw off the British yoke. The article admits that this advice is the counsel of perfection, a.id may bo regarded as premature, and even impudent, but the truth of the counsel is incontrovertible.

"JOY BELLS IN BRUSSELS." London. February 3. A hitly returned from Brussels says the arrogance of the Germans, which had become unbearable, had suddenly changed, and it lias become known that they have boon ordered to placate the population. But their efforts are fruitless. The people hold themselves aloof, and will not converse with the Germans, except to answer questions. They will.not remain in cafes with the Germans. The latter endeavor to prevent citizens from departing, fearing that news will reach the outside world. British and French newspapers are brought in secretly. "Tt was "Joy Day in Brussels" when Davies bombed the German barracks, the Belgians shouting with glee.

FOOD SUPPLIES FROM RUSSIA. Faris, February 3. Russia has contracted to deliver to Prance, 400,000 tons of wheat-and 100,000 tons of sugar. MISCELLANEOUS. London, February .'!. Berlin claims that Germany has seized fifty millions sterling worth of raw material, including con!, cloth, and metal, in the north of France. A -Berlin despatch to the New York World says that the Germans have abandoned the hope of keeping Italy and RoUmania out of the struggle. Germany and Austria are prohibiting the export to Italy of various commodities previously not barred. Bonmania ' replied by barring the export of petroleum to Germany.

Mr Alfred Arnold, special correspondent of the Daily Express, who has returned from a tour in many German cities, says the most significant symptoms of the activity of the definite peace party arc meetings in indusfcral centres and the exhibition of placards in favor of stopping the war, which had led to the shooting of two men at Dusseldorf. The prevalent sentiments in Germany were depression and anxiety. The news was scanty, and losses had no power to cheer. The coarseness of the war food revolted the Teutonic appetite, Paper money is in general use. London, February 3. Lord Lucas, in the House of Lords, s:;id that 18,259 alien enemies, exclusive of prisoners of war, were interned lip to November 27. Since then 1916 had been released on the responsibility of the War Office. Liverpool shipowners declare that the shortage of labor could he overcome by better organisation of the labor resources, which the Government alone is able to undertake. The Board of Trade will appoint a committee to inquire into the congestion at the ports. A Canadian correspondent in Northern • France states that tthe Allies have formed tremendous camps in various places between the fighting line and the coast. Already large numbers of well-trained reinforcements and immense quantities of new guns and supplies of all sorts are stacked in readines for a hip; "campaign in the spring, which indications point will be an early one. The Tsar has conferred the nilitary medal on the Queen of the Belgians, in recognition of her heroic conduct in attending the siek and wounded at the risk of her life, French airmen bombed the famous Homherg Castle, in Alsace, where a number of German staff officers were

living. The castle was fired and destroyed. I The Daily Express' New York correspondent alleges that the German Imperial family have purchased large blocks of Xew York bonds, as a standby in case of disaster. The shares,'' which cover canal and big highway ini-j provemeni schemes, wore bought at, auction about a year ago by a syndi-. cate, which secured the whole issue. | M. Gaston L-croux, editor of the Paris Matin, interviewed Mr Churchill, who declared that the United States public opinion had hesitated, perhaps, in bestowing its sympa'thes. But now the country was fully unified. Germany was like a man throttled by a. heavy gag. J '"''e heart pressure which was unrelaxcd until it uave in uuconditiouailv. If France ;i'.)d Russia should decided to withdraw from the struggle (which was inconceivable), Britain would carry it on to the bitter end.