IN THE WEST

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST

■ PATRIOTIC WORKERS. . PERSECUTED BY THE HUNS, London, August 4. The Pro 5s Bureau says that the Belgian Legation reports that the enginedrivers at Liege who refused to work on the railway experienced odious persecution. The German railway officials threatened that non-workers would be starved.

At Luttre mechanics refused wages of from seven to twenty marks dailyi, and, after several days' imprisonment, were .sent to Germany, amid the cheering of their fellow-citizens. A few days later a hundred Here paraded, and an officer called out, "Let those who will work step to the front." The whole body stepped to the rear and shouted "Vive la Bftgiqiie." The Germans then arrested Kcsselcr, manager of the Luttre works, who was thrown in gaol and lay on straw among his mechanics. He was urged to advise them to undertake civil repairs, but all refused. One hundred and ninety were then sent to Germany.

At Malincs the Germans threatened to fine the city £IO,OOO if the burgomaster did not supply a list of mechanics. No list existed, hut five hundred names were extracted from the householders' register. ' The men were arrested and taken to the workshops, and were locked up when they refused to work. Their wives took them food. Thereupon the whole population of Malines was forbidden to leave their homes after six in the evening, and no one could enter or leave the.city. For some days a reign of terror prevailed, and there was a violent scene when Cardinal Mcrcier proposed to quit the town for Brussels. No single mechanic of the Central Railway has resumed his work. At Swegehero 350 wire-workers refused fused to supply wire. The town was isolated, and it was forbiidden to cart provisions in the streets. The workwen were driven by force into the wire factory, but still refused to work, Sixty were sent to Courtrai prison, and their wives after them, and odiously maltreated. . All ttee efforts were useless. A notice was then issued thai; as the workmen, under -pretence of patriotism, and the Hague Convention, were organising difficulties, the command authorities would he held responsible, and present liberties would he suepeaded and fresh restrictions imposed.'

ALLIES' SOLIDARITY. MESSAGES BETWEEN RULERS. Received August C, 12.40 a.m. Paris, August 5. King George and President i'oincare exchanged,messages, affirming the Allies' solidarity-and determination to continue the war until victory is assured, FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. Paris, August 4. A communique states: —Iu the Arr goune.,the enemy made two night attacks, one between Hill 213 and the ravine at Montaine-aux-C'vannes,, thiQ other in the region of Marie Therese. The assailants were everywhere thrown back by our infantry and wtillery fire. We repulsed a counter-attack at Barrenkopf, GERMAN DESERTERS. . " ' Paris, August 4. Two thousand German deserters crossed into Holland in June. One hundred and fifty surrendered to the Dutch on hearing they were ordered to the front. This part of the frontier was thus left unguarded, and enabled six hundred Belgians to escape. CROWN PRINCE AGAIN FAILS. Paris, August 4. The Crown Prince resumed his effort to reach the Verduu-<Chalons railway, both in the Argonne and on the heights of the Meuse and the 'Woevre plain. Nothing was accomplished, despite the prodigal use. of asphyxiating gas and burning liquids. FEMALE TRAITORS. Paris, August 4. A French woman of 42 was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, and her daughter of 19 sentenced to death, for communicating information to the Germans at Souchez in October, They were arrested after months spent in Germany as prisoners. ARMY OF BUTCHERS (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) London, August 4. A Paris correspondent says the Atrocities Kcport conveys the impression that not an army of soldiers, but an army of butchers, is engaged. The wounded left at French hospitals were frequently treated with dreadful barbarity. French doctors and stretcherbearers make'similar reports. This deprives the Germans of any vestige of right, and they are regarded as the enemies of civilisation. CONTRABAND OIL. t • Paris, August i. Tn consequence of a dispute between the sailors and captain of a Greek vessell over the division of profits from contraband, the sailors reported to the authorities that the vessel had contraband on board for a German submarine. The vessel was searched, and .'lO loin of oil discovered. The ship was stopped and the captain arrested.