SITUATION REVIEWED.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1917, Page 7

SITUATION REVIEWED.

BY NEW ZEALAND HIGH COMMIS- I SIGNER. ' , INTERESTING VIEWS, Sir Thomas Mackenzie writes at follows to a New Plymouth friend:— I am just sending this as a Christmas communication, partly to acknowledge my friends' letters and partly to let you know how things aj'e moving here. The war still overshadows everything. The coming of America is going to be an enormous help, and as the German expectations in regard to the submarine menace have not been fulfilled, we think 'it safe to assure that ships will be available for bringing assistance from the United States. Speaking of American assistance, I may say that I attended a most interesting service in St. Paul's Cathedral on Independence Day. The gathering was a representative one, and the excellent sermon was by one of the finest preachers I have ever heard. I think the introduction of the American spirit into this war will do great good; it will correct the tendency to run in old grooves. The American troops marched through London a short time ago. It was a glorious sight to see them j they had a magnificent reception, and they deserved it. One sometimes hears expressions of jealousy that the Americans may say they had to assist us to win the war, hut I hope that spirit is not Even if they should boast a little, they are entitled to do so, because their assistance will toe of immense value to us. One often hearß the pipe bands marching through St. James' Park, and they stir up the Celtic spirit in the blood of the London Scottish. We are in bettcv heart at the moment than we have "been for many a day. We have got the Germans beaten absolutely on the West, but he will continue to fight on. We iniuat set our face against any indefinite peace or patched up arrangement, for we are fighting an unscrupulous, atrocious monster.

GERMAN BRUTALITY. The other day an escaped British officer had afternoon tea with me. He is closely associated with one in whom I am deeply interested and who is still a prisoner. In reply to my enquiries as to whether it was true that the Germans ill treated their prisoners, he stated that they bully the Russians and Roumanians to an awful extent, but the Englishmen stand up to them, and are not bullied so badly as others. He said: "I was walking one day in the exercise ground when a German Guard ordered me out of his way in coarse language. I told him that that was not the way to speak to an English officer and a gentleman; if he addressed me courteously I would move out of his way. He forthwith endeavored to crush my feet with the butt end of his rifle, but failing in that, he bayonetted me in the thigh. For this he was commended by his officer and I was ordered to be court-martialled, but I escaped before my trial came on and Tam now free." -1 have heard some terrible stories from others regarding their treatment, and yet—would you believe it?—there is a feeling in this country that as soon as the war is over some people will shake hands as cordially with the Germans for trade purposes as they did before the war. I have told them that if this is to be the attitude of many British people, it will have a serious influence upon those from overseas who are determined to keep the Germans at arm's length in the same manner as one would an undesirable neighbor.

A DISMAL WINTER. We shall probably have a dismal winter, with few lights and fewer conveyances. It is almost impossible to get a cab at a railway station, or even to get a porter to carry one's luggage, and the crush at some railway stations and 'bus halting {/faces is such that only strong people can fight their way through. Recently, at one railway station, I had an unfortunate experience, for I was thrown back from a railway carriage bv the guard, and narrowly escaped falling between the wheels. I 'brought the matter to the notice of" the authorities, and I do not think the guard will have an opportunity of repeating his conduct. Another aspect of London life is the lack of accommodation. People are giving up 'big houses and renting smaller premises, flats and tenements. A great number of the lafge hotels have been commandeered for (government purposes, so that those wishing to live in London have to face a difficult housing problem.

A DEPRESSING SIGHT. Recently I was at Saleombc, staying in the house in which it is said Tennyson wrote "Crossing the Bar." From that house one beautiful sunny day, I saw a fine steamer sunk by a torpedo. She was not more than a mile and a half from where I was, and as I liad a powerful telescope I saw all. It was a depressing sight, and made one wish to get at the villains who perpetrate aucli atro : cities. I believe they afterwards got the submarine. THE DARDANELLES, As you will know, we lost the first chairman of the Dardanelles Commission. Lord Cromer was an outstanding ttian, and his death was much deplored. We are still sitting. The work has been a great experience; we have had before us as witnesses men who have been, and are, prominent in controlling the affairs of the nation; we have reviewed the Balkan and indeed all European diplomacies. Sometimes the evidence is of a most thrilling nature. It is hoped that action will be taken on the report if it is published, although I think it is a mistake to publish reports of the description during the war. Indeed it ought not to be necessary to hold these enquiries, because the Department should know the condition of affairs and who is responsible for errors from their confidential reports. However, as lam on the Commission, I have to do my duty and to bring to book any who may have "been unfaithful to 'his trust—and there are, I think some such—so that should our New Zealand lads again go to war, they will know that the duffers will have been eliminated and good officers put in charge.

NEW ZEALAND'S GENEROSITY. The generosity of the Dominion for all purposes here has become almost a byword. She contributed about 12s 6d in every .€ for Hie relief of Belgians in Belgium, Of the £122,000 contributed for the relief of the dependents' of those who lost their lives in the Jutland battle, New Zealand sent £IOO,OOO. I attended the annual meeting of the Navy League, Sid some enquiries with reference to the spending of the money. The League purposes using much of the money for the education of the chUdren at th«*e who were maimed or lotf their

lives; but I really think that this is the duty of the Home' Government. I have been, enabled to place on. the'- Navy League. Committee representatives of New Zealand in the persons of Mr. 'Douglas McLean and Mr. Jaiucs C'oatcs. And now we are receiving money for children who have suffered in air raids! The difficulty, however, is to lind people who will accept this money. The distribution of these funds entails serious responsibility. There is not that poverty here that people in New Zealand are often led to believe exists, especially now, for the great circulation of money due to expenditure for warlike purposes has placed the majority of people in .circumstance;; such as they never enjoyed before, and. therefore, little is required in tho shape of charitable aid. However, the time may come when every shilling will be required, and it behoves us to he exceedingly careful in our line of action now, and that is what I am doing. A week or two ago I had a eall from that fine young V.C., Frickleton, who performed such a splendid deed. Recently I spent four days at Brockenhurst Hospital, every bed in which I visited. It is a model hospital, and splendidly administered.

AEROPLANE ATTACK. . We have had nightly visitations from German aeroplanes, hut on the 4th of September there was an exceedingly severe attack. This Office was in the centre of operations. The newest bomb was dropped across the street, about fifty yards away, one on the Embankment, and one, which did not explode, in the courtyard of a well-known hotel, which is, perhaps, one hundred yards away. This office sustained no damage, but some of the exhibits were knocked over, ami, singularly enough, a portrait of General Birdwood, which was lodged against another exhibit in the' | window, came right forward and fell over [and split a boar's hea<l in the window. My daughter Helen and I were sleeping on the top storey of the premises, and it was the second or third occasion on which we liad to rush down. The noise of the smashing of glass and ripping of buildings was very alarming. A VISIT TO FRANCE..

I have just returned from a most interesting and instructive visit to our men France, accompanied bj Mr. Cicil Wray. The military authorities placed every facility at our disposal. I was met at Boulogne and proceeded by car the, same night to General Godlev's headquarters and afterwards to General Plumer's. The following day 1 went to the front, where I saw the Messine3 battlefield. This lias been frequently described, and I will not take up your time repeating what must be familiar, although f may say that what was once rich country, devoted to intense agriculture, teeming with orchards and bright with villages, is now a dreary waste, littered with every possible kind of refuse. The German people have not suffered the agonies of seeing their land devastated, and no reparation which they ean make can ever replace that which they, in their crime against humanity, have destroyed. The Messines battle was a desperate undertaking, and it was magnificently carried out. It looked an impossible task, yet our lads accomplished it. I had an opportunity of seeing some of the partly devastated chateaux and some of the untouched areas, and had the honor of being entertained by some families belonging to the old French aristocracy. It seemed to be almost a breath of the life which one reada obtained during the period of France's greatest refinement. Next day, being Sunday, I attended divine service conducted in a cornfield. Our lads were assembled and an impressive sepnon was preached. At the conclusion of Jlie service I asked any of the lads who knew me or whose parents knew me, or anyone who wished to talk with me, to come forward. A great many did so, several sons of valued old friends, aud we had a most interesting chat.

That evening I spent at General Russell's headquarters, where again great kindness was extended, and, as was the case at General Godley's, a nice dinner was arranged, at which a great many New Zealand friends -were present, an<t a most enjoyable evening was spent. It afforded relaxation to the men, who are constantly called upon to perform arduous military duties. The following day in response to an invitation from General Rirdwood, I visited another porton of the front, and saw some aerial lighting immediately above our heads. There was also very heavy artillery firing a ! bout three or four miles distant. I regret to say that General Birdwood has been gassed, but not badly. The visit conveyed to my mind the impVession that the work was being excellently carried on; everything appeared to be well co-ordinated, and all, from generals to privates, doing their duty well and faithfully. I had many opportunities of speaking to the men and at different assemblies I was asked to say a few words, which I did. OUR MEN WEIiL CARED FOR. .As to conditions generally in France, T may say that our men are well ted, well clothed and accommodated in camps, etc., as good as circumstances will permit. I was asked several times to say tliat the men had no complaints to make, with one exception; that they should have facilities for drawing on Eheir deposits when taking furlough in London. I said that I had made full representations on the matter to the Government, and hoped difficulties in that respect would be solved. At the front, and on the way, there is intense activity and concentration, armed men marching to the field of battle, artillery and motor waggons, aS making their way to the scene of conflict, and all is well conducted and capably carried out. PATHETIC SIGHTS. In marked and pathetic contrast to all I this bustle and "circumstance of war," are the quiet cemeteries, where rest the warriors from their well fought fight, and where lie buried the hopes of many a fond parent and relation. A simple cross marxs the spot where each soldier is lying, and on it is recorded the name and other particulars. I read the names on many graces, and now and again met with that belonging to a friend. Later on the autnorities will see to a suitable memorial being erected. Who would Hve thought that the following quotations, taken from a war shrine, and inserted in a few letter.? of sympathy, would have given offence, but such tin? case? The Shrine contains a roll the living and a roll of the dead. Under the former are the words "Give Thine angela charge concerning them," and beneath the latter column "May they rest in Peace," and at the foot of all is the verse:— "Holy Father, in Thy mercy, Hear our anxious prayer; Keep our loved ones, now far absent, 'Neath Thy care." i Shrines are being erected in many part* 1 of Eutlaad to coma operate those wk«

have given their lives anil who are fighting in this great war. As a rule they are not associated with any particular church, hut are put up in villages and parts of cities. Walking through the cemeteries in France there constantly recurs 10 one's mind the following beautiful verse:—

•"'Low lie the young, the beautiful, They who went forth, hopes beating high; Thickly they lie, and on them beat Siorrns, pitiless, from low'ring sky." VISITING THE HOSPITALS. A great deal of time I devoted to visiting the hospitals, and I must say that wherever I went, the medical men, sisters and others, were doing everything possible to ease the sufferings of our lads. The men themselves were bright and contented, facing their injuries with a stoicism that one could not but admire. This visitation of hospitals was a pretty arduous undertaking, inasmuch as the men were scattered throughout many institutions and over a large area. Frequently but one New Zealand lad would be in a ward, but a bright smile was sufiicient reward for any little troublo taken. I made many unexpected •discoveries of the sons of dear and respected old friends, and wo recalled old incidents. I think we must have visited twenty-five different'hospitals' altogether. I stayed a couple of days with a Cintha man—Colonel Mitchell. Clutha may well be proud of the Colonel. No one is more devoted to Ills' men. His camp is a picture of orderliness; he has garden plots where excellent vegetables are grown, and also flowers. This brings to my memory many of the hospital grounds which are beautifully kept, and some aro bright with (lowers. The doctors say that the gardens have groat influence for good on the minds Sf the patients. I saw a postcard, addressed by a little child of five to one of the Colonels. It reads, ''Dear Daddy, we do miss you When are you coming to see us again ?" BOSCH PRISONERS. A number of Bosch prisoners were working in parts through which I passed. They appeared to be a strong lot of fellows—especially the Saxons. I was told they would not, for any consideration, go back to the trenches from which they had been fortunate enough to escape. To the padres I must give a word of praise for their devotion to the men. At Boulogne I met Mrs. Northcote, a jSfew Zealander, who devotes every spare moment of her time to visiting sick and wounded, and her services are greatly appreciated. A GREAT DELIGHT. Altogether the visit of our men was to me a great delight, for it gave me an idea, of the conditions uriaer which they live, and suggested to me additional comforts and attention to supplement the present good efforts of those in France. This matter I purpose representing to the War Contingent Association, oi which I am chairman. (To bo continued).