GREAT BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 170, 4 January 1915, Page 5

GREAT BRITAIN.

NEW YEAR GREETING.-;. BETWEEN' HELiDS OF NATIONS. Receircd 3, 10.30 a.m. London, January 2. The King telegraphed to President Poincare his good wishes for the New Year, saving he was certain that it witnessed the strengthening of the alliance, and hoping that the war would soon be brought to * victorious conclusion. President Poincare replied, reciprocating the good wishes, and expressing his confidence of victory. France was resolved to fight for complete triumph. The King cabled President Wilson his hearty good wishes for his personal happiness and the prosperity of "America, to which we are united by such close ties of friendship." Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received S, 5.25 p.m. London, January 2. The Kaiser sent to President Wilson New Tear greetings, conveying his best wishes, for the welfare of the United States. RE-ORGANISING THE FORCES. SEX ARMY COMMANDS. Received 3, 10.30 a.m. London, January 2. The War Office announces the reorganisation of the forces by the creation of armies, each generally consisting of three army corps. S'r Dougla3 Haig, General Smith-Dorrien, General Sir Archibald Hunter, General Sir lan Hami!'.—. General Sir Henry Bundle, General Si.- Brnce Hamilton, to command the Crst to the sixth r rmics, inclusively. TO THE WOMEN OF THE EMPIRE. QUEEN ALEXANDRIA'S MESSAGE Times and Sydney Sun Services. Lordon, January 2. Queen Alexandria, in the course of a message of consolation to the women of the Empire, says: "You have been through a period of great suffering and loss of your dear cm". I believe that future sacrifices will be borne with the same patience and fortitude." VARIOUS ITEMS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 3, .".25 p.m. London, January 2. German Socialists sent a message to England, hoping that isternational socialism after the war would develop in effectiveness, and thus secure a really lasting peace. Mr H. G. Wells, in commenting on Bernard Shaw's nttcrar.ee?, says: "Nothing will stop him. • All through the war we shall have thi; Shaw-ain accompaniment, like an idiot child screaming in the hospital, distorting, discrediting, and confusing. He will be an almost unendurable nuisance." The seventeen-year-old daughter of a Norfolk gKocer died with over-joy. Expecting the arrival of her soldier lover. and hearing his bicycle bell, she fell dead. The doctor gave evidence that death was caused by paralysis of the heart walls, caused by strong emotion. A special Dominion number of the Times History has been published containing an interesting narrative and splendid illustrations of the Australian contingents. It pays n generous tribute to New Zealand's troops. GERMANY STILL TO BE RECKONED WITH. London, January I. v, Be'Ru"! Legation states that .Australia's admirable spirit of genero-it - is evidenced hv the fact that over £300,000 has alnadv h;-n sent for Belpan relief. It alsi pnvs a tribute to New Zealand's gonero«itv . The Daily Mail soleriinlv warns the public again«t over-confidence. It publishes special correspondence to prove that the view that Germany has reached the end of her tether in respect of *roops is without foundation. Next spring Germany will have a new armv boys and greybeards, but men

of ideal fighting age. The Germans still believe that victory is assured, and food is not scarce. The Daily Mail adds. "Nothing whatever is gained by blinking the magnitude of the undertaking." THE RIGHTS OF NEUTRALS. A SWEDISH PRONOUNCEMENT. London, January 1. The Daily Mail has received messages from European statesmen that M. Hammarskwold, the Swedish Premier, telegraphed: "The necessities of war arc being invoked by both belligerent sides to justify a series of measures contrary to the law of nations and neutrals' rights. It is desirable that such a pernicious doctrine should be universally stigmatised and abandoned." SOLDIERS' FUNERALS. London, January 1. The War Office has decided to defray the cost of conveyance of soldiers dying on active service where the relatives specially desire the funerals near their homes, and will also allow a sum for expenses. Henry Newbolt, poet, and Frank Dyson, Astronomer Royal, have been knighted.