GREAT BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 9 December 1914, Page 5

GREAT BRITAIN.

THE KING'S VISITDETAILS OF THE TOUR. ; A THOROUGH INSPECTION. ; ' MESSAGE TO THE TROOPS. Received 8, 5.35 p.m. London, December 8. An eye-witness gives the following «tory of the King's visit:—On Monday lie inspected the base hospitals, including the Indians, and reached Sir John bench's headquarters in the afternoon. 3He spent Tuesday, Wednesday and touring the Army Corps. The complete units, except the men actually In the trenches, were generally .paraded ■on the roadside, and after the King drove through, taking the salute, each unit , gave three cheers, tlieir spontaneity •Slowing the enthusiasm aroused by the Sovereign's presence among the warworn troops. At several places the troops formed ii hbllow square, and the King presented decorations, includign Victoria Crosses. On Tuesday morning His Majesty visitthe Indians, and received the Indian princes. In the afternoon he met Otl. Poincare (the French President) and 11. Tmani (the Premier), and conferred she Grand Cross of the Bath on both, fclso on General Joffre. He conferred ■Che Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George on Generals Mandhuy, Durbal, Oonnean, Demitry, Maistre, Dubois, and Grosaetti. On Wednesday he motored seventy miles, inspecting the Third tArmy Corps. He also visited the conmlescent homes, and inspected the men in the trenches, their kit consisting of goatskin coats, woolly Balaclava caps, «nd sandbags filled with straw for their legs. On Thursday he visited the First Second Army Corps, watched the German bombardment of Ypres, and the fighting on the Yser Canal. Chi Friday be inspected the headquarters, including the Intelligence Department, where 3000 ■leasages are handled daily. In the afternoon he went to the Belgian front. King (Jlbert received King George at the frontier. On Saturday he inspected the Flying Corps. Throughout the visit aviators maintained a continuous aerial patrol above she Royal party, ensuring their safety. (Finally King George issued an order, Impressing his admiration of the splendid manner in which the army had fought a powerful and relentless enemy, adding: "t am particularly impressed by your 'Soldierly and healthy appearance, and Uan assure you of the proud confidence aad gratitude of myself and your fellowcountrymen." " t

BAD WEATHER IN THE NORTH sea:

"J MR REDMOND'S REBUKE TO I IRISHMEN. ! London, December T. ! It is generally accepted that the Govjennnent's reticence with regard to unimportant naval losses, involving no Cost of life, iB solely intended to pre-, (rent Germany receiving a moral stimulus ■ The Government has no fears of Its effect on the British public. There is lively speculation as to how the Australasians -will shape against the {Turks. Public opinion is quite satisfied to leave Egypt to the care of Australasians, Indian and the Territorial troops. Heavy gales and bitter weather are inflicting great hardships on the navy in the North Sea. Superb seamanship is alone preventing losses. Private Wilson, who has been awarded

the Victoria Cross, sold newspapers out- 1 side Edinburgh Castle prior to the war, ■when he rejoined his old regiment. | Ablets, who was arrested on August '4 t was addicted for high treason under a statute of Edward 111., concerning levying war a gainst the King. Ahlers ■was naturalised in 1905. Since September twelve fires have originated in factories engaged on army contracts. The cause are officially declared to be unknown. Official.—The King saw practically all -fte troops, visited the headquarters of all the army corps and divisional commanders and inspected the different departments at headquarters and many Hospitals. Mr Thomas, M.P., referring to the demand of railwaymen for a ss. a week increase,-denied that they would seize fhe opportunity to force their programme. Working men realised and .were prepared to share in the country's Kipfaig haa A. aerics of W Sketches in the Daily TelegrapfttriHaHL

coming even' handicap by goodwill, humour, self-sacrifice and common sense. Mr Redmond, speaking at Tuam, said there were 89,000 Irishmen in the army when the war broke out and 54,000 had since enlisted, apart from Irishmen in the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand contingents. Ireland had made a trea-y 01 peace with England, the breaking of which would mean eternal disgrace. Yet there were men insane and wicked enough to advocate tearing up the solemn undertaking between the dmocracie3

VICTORIA CROSS HEROES. TWO INDIANS DECORATED. Received 7,10.35 p.m. London, December 8. ' A Victoria Cross has been conferred on Naikdarsvan. During the capture of the trenches at Festubert on 24th November, though wounded twice in the head and once in the arm, yet he was the first to push round each successive traverse and face bombs and rifle fire at the closest range. A Victoria Cross has also been conferred on a Sepoy, named Khudadad, who while fighting at Hollebke on October 31, though wounded, worked a gun until all of five others belonging to his detachment were killed.

THE PURCHASE OF AUSTRALIAN GOLD. Received 7,10.35 p.m. London, December 8 The Bank of England has published the terms wliereunder it is prepared to purchase gold and bullion.

OUR MEN IN EGYPT. CREATE A GOOD IMPRESSION. Alexandria, December 7. . Australasians created a profound impression in Egypt specially their magnificent physique. TRADE 'UNION ENLISTMENTS. A ROYAL DECORATION. Received 9, 1 a.m. iLondon, December 8. Two hundred and twenty-five thousand trade unionists have enlisted, whereof 109,000 are miners, and 45.000 railway men. ' The King conferred on General Foch the Grand Cross of the Bath. ALL NOW IN CAMP. Auckland, Last Night. In the course of a speech to-night, the Premier stated he had received the following cable from General Godley:— "Expeditionary force completed its disembarkation yesterday. All are now in camp."