WAR NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 24 November 1914, Page 6

WAR NOTES.

A VALIANT FRENCHMAN. ■Tean Berger, of the 2nd Regiment- of Infantry, is the hero of another story. After one of the engagements of the battle of the 'Marne, Berger was crossing the battlefield when he found his colonel lying wounded, and he started to carry "him to the rear. As he was doing so, a wounded British officer called out that he was thirsty, and Berger, having removed his chief to safety, turned back to the British officer. As he raised the officer's head to give him some wine, a bullet took away throe of his* fingers. Berger retained his hold, and put his flask to the Englishman's lips, but he was almost immediately struck by a second bullet, and fell beside the officer. x The two lay, side by side, for some time, when their attention was attracted by the moans of a wounded German, who was calling for something to drink. Berger and the Englishman dragged themselves to the German and gave him some wine and water, but the effort was such that they both fainted. When they recovered consciousness the German was dead, and the night was far advanced. At dawn a body of Uhlans rode bv. Berger hailed the officer in command, who dismounted and, with revolver pointed, asked what he wanted. "We want something to drink," was the reply. The German officer at that moment noticed tlie body of his fellow-countryman with the empty French flask beside it. He was profoundly moved. He knelt by the side of the wounded men, gave them all they wanted in drink, and, saluting, went back to his command. For almost the entire day the two wounded men lay in what was a swamp, while the battle raged around them. The continued exposure was telling its tale, especially upon the Englishman, who showed signs of delirium. Berger realised that something had to be done. He helped his fellow-sufferer towards the Allies' lines, and a Red Cross file found them.

PROTECTION AGAINST SUB

MARINES. No means have been devised for protecting warships from submarines save the two not very satisfactory ones which appear in recent statements made by the British Admiralty. When ships know there are submarines about they must keep on the move at full speed, constantly changing their course. The submarine cannot train her tubes, which are fixed and must he aimed by the use of the vessel's rudder; and as submarines answer very sluggishly to their helm when under water, this is fairly efficient defence. The other counterstroke is the employment of mines to obstruct the approach of submarines; but this is only capable of being done in certain localities and is of no use to a fleet at sea. One of the first principles of naval war is that the best defence is a vigorous offensive; but the moans for talcing the offensive against submarines has yet to be discovered.

THE GOEBEN'S ESCAPE. A report from German sources has described how the Goeben succeeded in escaping from Messina one dark night, evading British warships, and reaching the Dardanelles. The British Admiralty has already held an enquiry into the circumstances of tho escape. The dispositions of Sir Berkeley Milne, who was Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean. were first examined and approved, and then Rear-Admiral Troubridge, the junior officer in command in those waters, was recalled for an inquiry which acquitted him. The court of inquiry consisted of Admiral Sir Hedworth Meux, G.C.8., and Admiral Sir George Callaghan, G.C.B. Rear-Admiral Troubridge has had a distinguished career as a naval officer. He is the third son of Colonel Sir Thomas St. Vincent Troubridge, and a direct descendant 1 of the admiral who won a baronetcy by his gallantry at the battles of the Nile and St. Vincent, and at the blockade of Civita Vecchia, which was followed by the taking of Rome. Rear-Admiral Troubridge has been naval attache at Vienna, Madrid, and Tokio. In 1007 he was appointed captain and chief of staff, Mediterranean, and was chief of the war stall' at the Admiralty from Mil to 101-2. He holds the following foreign decorations: Grand Officer of the Rising Sun, Officer of Legion of Honor, Second Class of Red Eagte. Second Class of Spanish Eagle, Gold Medal of Order of Imtiaz. Rear-Adiniral Troubridge hoisted his flag in the armored cruiser Defence on January "27 last year, 011 relinquishing his position as Chief of the Admiralty War Stall'. Before taking up this hitter appointment he had been Naval Secretary to the present First Lord of the Admiralty.

RUSSIAN ARMY HORSES. Russia has by far the. greatest number of horses of any country in Europe—-twenty-throe millions out of a total of forty millions. Add to this several millions more at her command in Asiatic Russia and Mongolia, and it will be realised that her wealth in horseflesh makes her independent of any other country,. It is a great source of strength in time of war. Perhaps in no other country is more attention given by Government to the breeding of horses. There are Ave Imperial and seven military studs, and there is a considerable infusion of English thoroughbreds and Arab blood in her horses. They are generally small, and run from 14.1) to 15.1. The horse-breeding industry is subservient to military requirements. Russia takes a military census every six years; and it is estimated that she could easily furnish eight horses to every man in her army. Most other countries CQIIU find, but two. HERMAN LEAD SUPPLY. Germany's supply of lead for the manufacture of bullets is said to be causing some anxiety in Berlin and Essen. To maintain it the Government has commandeered the whole of the plates of lead and zinc used in the production of music scores. These plates, on an average, weight lJlb. each, aml\ there are, it is calculated, fully one million and a half of them in the country. The greater number of the plates have been taken to Krupp's works, Essen, and it is stated that the Government's action lias ruined several of the great music publishers of Berlin. | FRUITS OF SEA POWER. | One of the fruits of sea power was demonstrated when the Spanish steamer Montserrat, from Mexico, arrived at Barcelona. She had on board 200 Frenchmen from Mexico, there after the declaration of war to help in the defence of their native land; 100 Germans from Mexico also embarked in the Montserrat at Vera Cruz, but were detained by British cruisers. It is estimated tha,t over 200,000 Germans living abroaff .Jiave already been detained in this way, thanks to the vigilance of the British Fleet, Even the Germans