GENERAL WAR NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 248, 9 July 1915, Page 3

GENERAL WAR NEWS.

GERMAN INSOLENCE . Extraordinary instances of German impudence have come to light in Paris during the past few days. Most of the Parisian doctors have received a circular from a Berlin firm couched in th© following terms: “We herewith submit to you our catalogue cf artificial arms and legs, and would point out that the excellence and the price of our goods alike defy competition. W© reserve a handsome commission for French doctors who favour us with their orders.” Another Berlin firm is offering to supply French cinema theatres with films of Malines, Antwerp, and Louvain. ' ,: _ ■ f: ; “IRON CROSS” MUDDLE. Th© result of the wholesale distribution of Iron Crosses in the German Army is apparently having t|he effect that the soldiers who have the distinction of not being decorated are looked down upon by their womenkind. The temporary command of the Seventh German Army Corps has been moved to plead for the undecorated. It has issued a perfectly serious notice,which is printed in most of the German papers. pointing out that not everyone can be given the Iron Cross, and that to despise those who have no cross is to be guilty cf a gross want of tact.

GERMAN PROFESSOR ON RUSSIA

In the “Vorwarts,” Professor Vogt studies the conditions of Russia under t,h e heading “How Dong Can Russia Fight?” Ha reaches the conclusion that Russia’s offensive powers are hardly touched, while her staying powers are enormous. The army, in the opinion of the German authorities, has done magnificent work, and deserves high praise, while Russian finance and economic life were seldom stronger than now. Professor Vogt warns the Germans not to believe those who say Russia is almost exhausted. He adds that only much time, energy, patience, and many victories will help Germany in the war against Russia. Professor Vogt is held to be one of the first Russian experts in Germany. the VICTORIA CROSS V/AY. “I’ve talked,” said a war correspondent, “with a number of Victoria Cross and Medaillg Militair© men. These fellows are not usually over strong. As a rule, in fact, they ar e little and thin, i 1 asked them how it -was then, in hand, to-hand fighting, that they didn’t get ' killed by their bigger opponents. Well, their answer to this question was pretty much the same thing in every ease, A composite of their answer would be; “When two men come together in dead earnest, with the bayonet ore of them always funks, and I never do.”

THE DRESDEN PIG. A member of the crew of one of th© British warships which destroyed the German cruiser Dresden unites, in the course of an account of hue brief fight; “By th e way we have a pet now. One of cur ship’s company dived overboard and saved the Dresden's pig. It’s the only prisoner of war w© have on bloat'd. Abou;t (two hours a,ffier tl[ Dresden had sunk, the pig was seen swimming near our ship. Since its stay cn board it has developed a beautiful appetite, eating coal with great gusto. Some would-be wit attributed the frequent coaling of the ship to this cause. We gave it the iron cross (made out cf cardboard) for its swimming so long without cutting its own throat, which, we understand, is the usual thing with pigs.” A soldier humorist says that with many motor ’buses at the front it will not be surprising to hear Wellington’s famous phrase altered to “Up, Vanguards, and at ’em-”

Th e sons of the Hebrew race are doing their bit manfully with the rest in fighting forces; and a large number of them having joined one of the London Scottish regiments, this particular fore e is now known as the “Jordan Highlanders.”

Private Machins, of the Welsh Regi. ment, who has been invalided home from the front, states that the Germans “poured poison into the eyes of a sergeant who was taken prisoner. This blinded him, and then they sent him back.”

Lance-Corporal Hallam, of Nottingham, who has just returned to his heme from the front, says that when he was wounded and captured a German soldier rushed upon him, bayoneted him in the neck and robbed him of his watch, money, and papers.

At Aberdeen, Isabella Wilkie, or Fyfe, 9, West North Road, Aberdeen, was fined GO/, with the alternative of 20 days’ imprisonment, for having assisted John Wilkie, 3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, whom she knew was about to desert, by supplying him with a suit of clothes.

According to the London Daily News, a representative Liberal organ, the chief cause which contributed to bring about the Coalition Ministry, or War Governrnen, was the quarrel between Mr. Churchill and Lord Fisher at the Admiralty, a conflict which began with the undertaking of the Dardanelles expedition. Mr. Churchill carried ibc War Council on this, and it was undertaken before the Cabinet was informed The Cabinet was committed to it by the movement of ships before they had any formal notification. Lord Fisher for his part, considered that the wprb should not have been begun unlesv F was supported by land forces, but -he also committed to it. Mr. Churchill was counting on the support of Greek forces on land, a calculation'which was not justified by the event. Later, the miarrcl between Lord Fisher and- Mr. Church ill proved to bo irreconcilable, and Lord Fisher sent in his resignation.