GENERAL ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1916, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS.

NOTES FROM THE TIMES. CIHRISTMASES CONTRASTED. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Jan. 3. German correspondent!) say that Christmas on the West front was quite unlike that of 1914. Vigilance and bit--1 unless, were tin; rule. The troops state that last year the French fraternised yvitn them, but not the English. Now it Is the opposite, and there is mutual dislike. Colonel Moraht says that there is the greatest winter privation in the German trenches, particularly ajnong the hundreds of thousands of brain workers who are now lighting. The strain upon Ihe men's endurance on all fronts is gi eater than in all the winter campaigns iu history. AMERICAN GOOD WISHES. The New York Tribune, in wishing the Allies well in 1.916, says the toll of British loss and the record of British failure grew steadily in 1915 through incompetent commanders, incompetent preparations, the follies of sclllßh politicians, and the mistakes of ignorant patriots. Let us hope all that is ended now.

EFFECT OF THE WAB. The Times, in a leader, says:—The dawn of 1916 finds us still deep in a tremendous coniiict. Despite tremendous financial burdens and the dauntless bravery of our troops no signal triumph has yet attended our arms, and we are unable to claim a' victory, except on the seas and in the German colonies. Despite a year of anxiety, depression, and disappointment the Empire i 9 as doggedly bent on victory as at the beginning of the year, and confident that it will ultimately be achieved. Our race, true to itself and its traditions, is settling down to work. There is the most striking proof of the acceptance of the principle of national service. England is aroused and the Empire also. Germany hoped to shatter the Empire, but she has done more to knit us together than we could have done in a generation of peace. Never can the blood spent by the Australasians at An2ac and the Canadians at Ypres be forgotten. The Dominions face 1916 in the game spirit as ourselves of quiet confidence and unflinching resolve. AN OMINOUS QUIET. Time? and Sydney Sun Services. Received Jan. 4, 8.45 p.m. London, Jan. 3. In the Daily Mail Mr. Lovat Fraser says that the quietness in England Is ominous, and means that the position n nch more critical for the remainder of the war, and the public will not silently accept a second Dardanelles. The mean■if the Dardanelles lias slowly sunk in the National mind, and the overdone jubiliations about the evacuation are not '(facing it. The country will accept compulsion, but it regards as peculiarly appalling the possibility of men being taken from their homes and forced to be victims of Ministerial bungles. The Dardanelles bungle will affect the atifiule of the people towards every Ministry during war time, and for many a future decade.

FOXY TINO. PROFESSIONS .OF FRIENDSHIP. Mr. Crawford Price, who interviewed King Constantine, says he is convinced that the King is honest and is not proGerman. The King wishes to avoid quarrelling with the Germans and Allies, and there ig no secret understanding with Bulgaria. He does not attach any importance to and does not see the use for the occupation of Castellorizo. Referring to Anglo-Greek relations he iaid: "The umbrage I felt at some of your actions has quite passed, and as the result of the harmony now prevailing at Salonika I do not desire anything but the closest friendship with Britain. It is manifestly absurd to suggest that I harbored anti-British hostility, but I will not be forced out of neutrality at any price. When asked, "What will you do if the Bulgars attack us?" King Constantine replied: "You will have a clear field."

IN THE CAMEROONS. A BRITISH SUCQESS. Received Jan. 4, D.35 p.m. London, Jan. 4. On New Year's Day a British force in the Cameroon.?, under Colonel Gorges, occupied Jaunde, and the enemy retreated to the south and south-east. Our troops are in contact with the enemy's rearguard. VODKA IN RUSSIA. Petrograd, Jan. 4. There are indications that the restrictions regarding vodka will continue after the war, The Government is-erect-ing a factory to utilise the enormous stocks of alcohol In the manufacture of synthetic rubber. ACTIVITY AT JERUSALEM. Cairo, Jan. 4. There is intense military activity at Jerusalem preliminary to the march against Egypt. German officers are carrying out important engineering works, roads and railways. Italian Jews have been ordered to abandon their nationality or quit the city. The majority are leaving by Ajnerlcan vessels for italy.