A GERMAN TRICK.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1916, Page 5

A GERMAN TRICK.

An English-speaking officer, disguised in Anzac uniform, attempted to deter the Australians from obeying the order to retire, calling, "This way, boys; the Germans are coming!" Nono were deceived into the belief that he was the leader of the Australasians' support, and several Germans were bayonetted. Then the true support arrived, making short work of the enemy. Nejjt day the Australasians Lad their revenge. The Germans, bringing up supports or a relieving force, were caught by a concentrated fire in a communication trench 011 rising ground behind their front, and suffered heavily. Observers saw them carrying off dead and wounded during several hours. CASUALTIES SEVERE. The Australasian casualties in France are: Killed, S officers and 7(1 men; wounded, 10 officers and 168 men.

HOSPITALS FOR ANZACS. IN FRANCE OR ENGLAND? London, May 9. The following is dated London, April 11: The proposal to evacuate wounded Australians and New Zealanders via Marseilles to Egypt is exciting much comment. Official medical opinion sharply criticises fhe proposal, which entails the scrapping of the whole hospital organisation build up for eighteen months. It is understood the War Office say they want all the hospitals in Britain for Britishers. If this is the. fact it is difficult to see what Australia and New Zealand can answer. The scheme is based on the desirability of taking the troops away in the direction of their own country. Critics have no fault to find with the proposed camps at Marseilles. The site is exoellent and the old Indian buildings afford comfortable officers' and nurses' quarters and store rooms, while the centre of the. camp is occupied by tents and other equipment. It is suggested that Harefield should be converted into a "hospital for serious eases,utilising Epsom for convalescents. In emergency many Anglo-Australians have received convalescents in private houses, wliieh is impossible in Marseilles. Critics insist on the value of a visit to the Old Country in assisting recruiting, Australians and New Zealanders regarding a furlough in London as some recompense for their wounds. It is believed the Australian Government doubts the wisdom of the change, and it is known that Mr. Hughes strongly opposes it, while the attitude of the New Zealand Government has not been revealed. Unofficial New Zealand opinion, including the Anzac convalescents, believe it will not give some wounded !a fair chance of recovery. Doctors and nurses with Egyptian experience states that it was often so undesirable to operate in Egypt during summer that the patients were sent to Italy, because it was so difficult to ensure sufficiently good hospital food, especially eggs. The climate of the entire Mediterranean region is undesirable in summer, especially for South Australians, Tasmaniajis and New Zealanders.

! Probably the test solution of the difficulty will be to utilise two hospitals at Marseilles for wounded needing a warm climate, including lung cases, of which there are a larger number than might have been expected, and send the other Anzacs to England. ANOTHER BELATED MESSAGE. A TOUGH PROBLEM. The following, dated London, April 15, | is now released:-" j No decision has yet been readied regarding the Australians, but some concern is felt for the New Zeahnders' decision in favor of Egypt. Medical men deprecate the change and declare that Egypt is suitable for a few special cases, but favor England for the majority of cases. ' When New Zealanders learn the likelihood of their wounded going to Egypt they will share their officers' keen dis appointment. The New Zealand War Association warmly protested and many cables have already been sent urging.New Zealand to reconsider the decision and so ensure uniformity in the Australian and New Zealand arrangements. When the troops are fighting side by side difficulties of transport are likely to increase. It is understood that the possibility |of treatment for the entire number of English wounded from the west front in hospitals in France is under consideration. It is an immense problem, in which Australians and New Zealanders are comparatively a small number. The welfare of the British Army must be the guiding factor, but Australians and New Zealanders in England, including the highest officers, hope that it will still bo practicable to bring the wounded to England,