INTERESTING NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 24 November 1915, Page 3

INTERESTING NEWS.

FINE FRENCH FEELING. Berlin is constantly shown the spectacle of prisoners marched down Untetr der Linden through gloating crowds (writes M. Maurice Barres). The French Government resolutely refuse to follow such an ungenerous example, and no German prisoners are ever shown to the Paris population. I saw at Bordeaux over a thousand German prisoners and non-commissioned officers, but that was in camps, closed to the public, and by special privilege. Even so, I was never once allowed to talk to officet’ prisoners. Not one of the 23,000 prisoners taken last month will be shown to Paris. However, we are to have some compensation. The Govrenment has decided to bring over 120 guns, including many heavy pieces, to Paris, and place them in the Invalides. It will be a stirring and legitimate procession of enemy weapons down the boulevards. Berlin gloats over a cortege of unfortunate prisoners; Paris will look with pleasure on the procession of now harmless German guns.” NEW “KING OF BELGIUM." According to the ‘lNoudelle Revue,” says a message form Paris, a young Irish lady, named Miss Sheridan, who succeeded in leaving the neighbourhood of Ypres, states that on the Ist of October last the Crown Prince came to Meuin, where a strange secret ceremony was gone through, and at which, if Miss Shejridan is to be believed, the Crown Prince of Germany -was crowned King of Belgium in the market place. She did not see the ceremony as strict orders were issued by the German authorities, forbidding the inhabitants to appear in the streets, and 'requiring them to have all the window shutters securely fastened. Miss Sheridan adds that a new flag—a mixture of the German and Belgian colours —floated from the church tower. Du'ring the ceremony a hymn was sung, which those who understand German declared signified the commending to God of the King of Belgium. The inhabitants of Menin in vain endeavoured to obtain information from the German officers, but the Gejnnan soldiers were less reticent, and after some days admitted that t!he Crown Prince had been consecrated King of the Belgians. BRAVE SMACKSMAN. The wife of a naval lieutenant sends to a Home paper the following extract of a letter from her husband, giving an account of an attack by two German submarines on a fishing smack. “It was my duty to bring ashore the ‘submarined’ crew of a sailing smack, five men, one seriously, wounded in two places, and a little round-faced blue-eyed, boy, whose indignation at the loss of his clothes overclouded all other sentiments, and was distinctly humorous. Two German submarines suddenly appeared, bore down on them, and without any warning fired at the smack. They then ordered the crew

into their boat and bombed the smack. This done, they turned a quick-firer on to the helpless men in the open boat, wounding one man and riddling the boat so that it'bad to be baled out to prevent sinking. One of the brave smacksraen pushed the boy under a thwart and lay on top of him to protect the little chap and probably both their lives were saved by this prompt action, as a shot passed through the side of the boat jjust where they 'had been sitting. This was many miles out in the North Sea, and the castaways were luckily picked up some hour’s afterwards, and well cared for ashore.” BULLDOGS FOR THE NAVY. “At least 20 or 30 of our warships have bulldogs no board,” said Mr J. W. Pearson, secretary of the BulldogClub, to a “Daily Mail” representative recently. “There may be manp more than thirty,” added Mr Pearson, “and certainly there would be if the officers and qrews could have their wishes gratified. The bulldog is valued tremendously as a talisman and a companion. Most of the Navy dogs now at sea aire in super-Dreadnoughts and other big vessels. They are generally presented by friends of the commanders. They are taken in charge bp the cook: their othefr attendants being the whole [ crew." SECOND-HAND SHIPS. Shipbrokers in London are of opinion that values of second-hand tonnage .will go yet higher, with the result that few firms will be buyers. A Russian steamer, which was acquired in a damaged condition in February for £8,300, changed hands again at a profit of £30,000; while on another vessel the sellers actually made £O,OOO. At the high prices ruling, serai '.companies have been disposing of their fleets, preferring this method to (running the risk of their being requisitioned at low rates by the Government, or lost at sea. The market is, 'however, gradually being narrowed, and very soon it will be almost impossible to acquire good class tonnage, if the conditions continue as they are to-day.

MR. ROOSEVELT ATTACKED

An extraordinary story is told by Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, ox-President of the United States, in an affidavit on his return to Quebec from a big game hunting expedition in the Lake Edward district, about 100 miles north of Quebec. Mr. Roosevelt (says the Daily Telegraph) broke the Quebec game laws, which only allows one moose to a hunter, while he shot two. According to Mr. Roosevelt’s statement, he had shot one moose towards evening, and was paddling in shallow water, when he sighted a big bull moose. Instead of running away the animal gave chase. Mr. Roosevelt refused to shoot, and ordered the party to paddle into deep water, while he fired over the moose’s head. Th< brute, however, followed the party te. a shallow creek, where it charged t!u canoe. Mr. Roosevelt again fired over the animal’s head, but when it was

only ;!() foot u«T.r. :• she' ! :i! 1 • " the moose droping dead ■within a few feet of the canoe. While it is not uncommon for a wounded moose to attack hunters, this is about the first time on record that such an animal has been known to undertake a hunt of the hunter. Mr. Roosevelt, however, secured a superb set of horns from the beast, while, of course, his statement is accepted by the authorities. GEMANY’S BEREAVED WOMEN. Germany’s enormous kisses in men arc giving the Fatherland’s marriageable girls and women furiously to think. A special meeting to consider “the matrimonial situation” was held in Berlin last month. The papers describe the attendance as “enormous,”’ the question for discussion being, what is the best thing to be done for the thousands of young women whose financees have fallen on the field of honour or been rendered unmarriageable by their wounds?” Women leaders who addressed tne gatherng said there was only one answer to the question: “ Choose an occupation or profession and equip yourself thoroughly for it!” Frau loin Oort rod Baumer, the principal speaker, tendered this advice not only to the heartbroken girls themselves but to teachers and parents who are able to influence their decisions. Opportunities for marriage had undoubtedly been undoubtedly seriously diminished by the ravages of the battlefield. But girls and women must lose no time bemoaning their fate. It was their duty to emulate the spirit of Germany’s brave army and have courage. They not only owed that to themselves but to Germany’s entire economic life. It was already proved elml commrce and industry contained countless openings for women, hitherto not taken advantage of. Girls should waste their time grieving over wrecked matrimonial hopes, but bestir themselves to gve their lives “a new goal” and find “their happiness’ in doing their duty.