WAR NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 179, 7 January 1915, Page 7

WAR NOTES.

si'iniT Tiii-; - ■ The Countess Evelyn Martinengo Ceswrites to the Times: "I translate from the Seeolo of October 10 the following conversation between the correspondent of that newspaper and one of the King s Indian sol-1 diers now in France. "The correspondent was curious to know what was the spirit of the Indian troops. 'Are you glad,' he asked, 'to cone here to light for a country which is not yours—France—at the bidding of another country —England—which doin-' mates you?' 1 "The Indian looked at liim with eyes full of wonder, and indignation, and replied: 'lndia is not oppressed by anyone-, she is part, and not a small part_ of a great Empire. Therefore the In-1 dians are not slaves of this Empire, lnit subjects as are English, the Scottish, and the Irish. The English Empire is menaced by ft nation called Germany, and to defend itself it has appealed to ail its subjects. If tlie Empire vere menaced in India, the English soldiers would have gone there, but as she is menaced in Europe, Ave have come here.' He added in accents of profound pride 'We are English!' ''The correspondent signs liis letter with his name, Luigi Campolonghi. I think none at home will read this extract from it without emotion and thankfulness.''

FROM A BALLOON. This morning I had the good fortune to be allowed to make the ascent in a captive balloon which had been sent up above the dunes. The ofliccr wliom T accompanied was engaged in making observations with a view to discovering the position of the (lernian batteries. At a height of about two hundred feet, we could follow all the phases of the battle which was in progress along the other bank of the Yser, between Kieuport and Dixmude. In particular we were able to note the effect of the fire of 'the British warships off the coast. With my glasses, I could see Ostend I and the ruins of several coast villages, including Westende, Middlekcrke, and Lombaertzyde. As far as I could see,] not a single wall remained standing in j the villages of Westkerke, Slype and Novil. All this damage lias been caused by the effective tire of the British ships, which ultimately succeeded in dislodging the German forces. At 8 a.m. the engagement was in full swing, and as the air was clear, I had a Splendid view- of what was going on. At S.-15, the ulwrvation-oilim' discovered the position uf tin; (!crman guns, and so we at once came down.— (The Times).