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The Wingham Advance, 1916-02-10, Page 71 GERMANY TRYING TO. BUY OFF ,BELGIUM? London Fears That Is the Reason Haig and Curzon Visit King Albert Kaiser Said to Have Made Big Offer For the Country's Neutrality: London, Feb, 6.-Titere le melt speculation hero regarding the rea- eons underlyiug the visit or Petri Curzoa and General Sir Doughte commander -in -elder of the Whitt forces in Franco, to Albert, King ot tee Belgians, whie1l. was announcea essehe the Official Press Bureau. Almost -coincident with the official aenouncement comes a despatch trom The Hague torwarding Berlin edvices regarding' negotiatious Bald te be in i.rog•rees between Germany and King Altana tor the signing a a eeparate trey of peace between Gamete)* and Ileigium. These negotiations, tee Ber-- liu edvices are quoted as eaying, have made important progrees in the past ten days: In spite of denials they add: King Albert had consented to con- ei.der tentative peace proaosels i euch preeosals contalu guarantees. for the teauplete restoration and independeace of Belgium, The Dutch correspondent understands that Germany is willizg to make the concessions if the negotiations .can be concluded before epring. Time is made an impertant consideration in the discussion. Nor Is Germane, unwilling- to melte even further conceesious in order to obtain Belgian neutrality, according to the reported current opinion in Dutch diplomatic circles. DiPlomete at The Hague have obtainal from :spumes, the reliability of which they do not question, the mformation that Germany is -willing to restore the de- stroyed Belgian cities and to pay a large sum of money to the Belgian Government for the turthea restora- tion of the country on the. sonditioa that the word "indemnity': shall not be used in connection with euele pay- ments, . . SPECULATION IN ,LoNpalg..' In the absence of any eteplanatioit ft.orn official British sources 'regard- ing the visit of Lord Curzon alai Gen. • Haig to King Albert, eeeculation based on the Dutch despatches es being in- dulged in here without restraint. The original report that Germariy etas considering such a movefr .the neutralityof Belgium, teas Making it imrossible _for the allies to take me an. offensive against .tiertuttey M the spring a or at a later time,' trough Delenufa without ranging. that 1-Mee- t:cute:Ceti country on the side of Ger- raany_eanete inveaion of the 'attermaes ranged it -car•-thoeghlta ot the allies, beettme "Olio a tortiiIiit-agee'Alsthat. tifne it was said tbat Germany; hint' bi6;t5 1 E. ON IJEST But German Assault This Time is Expected in the Region of the Somm,e: 28 AIR FIGHTS On Saturday, With the British Having Deciaedly the Better Of If, London, Feb. 6.-A centring of ac- thity ea the west on the 13elgian and Artois Cronies le noticeable in the of - fide., statements isened to -day, time addlesa• weight to the prophecies of a forthconiing German drive in this 'sec- tor hi another effort to reach Calais, The British and French artillery is very actve in this region, apparently for the purpcse of hindering the Ger- man preparations for. the great drive. The Germans have displayed great activity in the use of mines recently along the northern part of the battle line. I3ritish forces occupied the wes- tern. sides of three mine craters near the VermIllesLa Besse° Road Met niald and early this morning occupy- ing an edae of tee crater formed by the explceion of e German mine north of Loos. The Germane bombarded Ypres last night. There .was artillery activity to- day about Prise, to, the north of La Ilassee Cana, and about Wytschaete and Ypres,while the allied guns did oevere damage to the German organ'. eations before Boesinghe. negiffs„;:ateerday there were 28 combats • • e dm over the British lines. In eases the German machine was Striven down behind the German lines and in a dXth ft NVO.S forced to descend with a broken propellor. One British machine failed to return. OF IMMENElie PROPORTIONS. Just how far. the German general staff has gone with Ito plans for an offeneive in the west on a miner scale is hidden behind the Pertain it has de awn along the Dutch froatier, but enough information has trickled theelleth from many sources to make It certain most formidable prepara- tions have been made. The closing of tha frontier between Holland and Belgium usually bee meant intense niilitary ectivity in Plandere, and HIM is every reason to believe that the troop movemento in the last Week or ten daye have exeeeded any SITIO.' Ilk. (T011 juet preceding the second bath efVert re Tht•re ie 5 conVietion amounting al - moat Inet.rtainty in military circles in Letelon that a battle of immense pro- le -1111 ne le being otganized, but the eeaet tetot on wheel the brunt of the atheek will fall has not boon indleatel. It 12 not believed, however, that it wit lake the direction of Calais or Armee ha. Nava arm bp •dirmod further to f.be. etetate in the region of the Sointne. offerea seperatti ter/113. Of peoee to Belgium, by thee terms promieing to ref:tore ull the occupied portions of the couutrva-practically all tite territory a the nation -to the Belt:dam on coalition that they would not give Permission to the allies for au attack on Germany through Belgian terri- tory, At about the santetime the Frankfurter Zeitung prinfed what ale:eared to be an inspired article sug- gesting the desirability ot such en a.rrangement, The report was dimied by Belgian officials at Haare, mul for tho time was dropped from active public discussion. The departtfre of Lord. Curzon and Gen. Haig for Havre, however, has lent a new importance tet the Dutch reports. A conference bettveen Gen. Haig and the Belgian King w.ould arouse little discussion since it might mean only the discussion of military problems by the active heads of two armies operating in the same theatre of war. By such an explanation for the present conference does not apply as well to the presence of Lora Cur- zon,, wen Is .purely a civilian member of the Cabinet.' Lord Curzon is at present Loed Privy _Seal and it is pointed out hero, as one of the most .able men in the Cabinet whose port. fetes do not demand their continued presence in London. No matter what the juncture it would scarcely be ex- pected that the Premier, Mr, Lloyd George, or one or two others of the stronger men in the present Ministry could leave their posts at the present moment to conduct negotiations even of the greatest importance. Much has been said in. the German press of the necessity for Germany retaining Belgium. At the same time much has been said in the same prese of the desirability of an early ending of the war. And, as an answer to both statements, there have been pleety of expressions from both France and Great Britain to the of feet that the restoration and independ- ence of Belgium was A cardinal princi- for which the Allies are 'fighting. The Paris Journ• l's Gene m. 'cor- respondent says: • .German finance is exerting stronger met' stronger pressure on the Irnperial.,Government through the presentinient of • a formidable eco. nomic crieis. The leaders of finance insist' that Germany will relinquish the idea of territorial acquisition and accept the status quo except for an antonotny4 in Russian Poland uncle' some Poem of nerinan suzerainty. Thie campaign. of German finance is riming powerfnl support, even in tile • Tina &fake Chancellery. Artillery- actions for the last week lia.ve been general and gradually tie • creasing in fervor from the sea to the Aisne. The German batteries have taken the lead in the bombardment and nave been lavish in their use of ammunition. The cannonading has been almost constant night' and day, and the allied front from . the first line to the reserve trenches has been literally sprayed with high explosive shells.Except in two or three unim- portant instances, however, the In- fantry has not been called into action. .1115 FIFTH AIRMAN. aemeaat-Pilot Gtaynemer,. of the 'Frenchaviation corps, brought ,down his fifth. German aeroplane Saturday Morning in an encounter in the • re- gion nfeFrise. The Cermet-1 machine fell in flames between AszeVilliers and Herbeeourt. • Outeide an • occupation by the French' of the northern edge of the crater ceased hyathe explosion of a German mine at t,a. Haute .Che- vauchee, between the Aisne e.and gthe Argonne, only artillery fighting eis mentioned in the official communique., of Saturday, This bombarclmen't was somewhat general between Soissons and Lorraine. A bombardment carried out. In Champagnasey the French on the enemy organization on the plateau of Navarin gave excellent results, The trenches shelled were seriously wreck- ed and eeVeral munitions depots were blown up, in addition the French pro- jectiles. having demolished reservoirs of suffocating gas, gas waves spread out which the wind (Wove back on the enemy lines. Small British detachments attempt- ed to advance in the region south- west of Neuville and south of the La Bareee Canal yesterday, but were driven back, according to the state- ment issued by the German general headquarters staff. BRITISH REPORT. London, leen 6. -The following re- port from British headquarters In Prance was made public to -night by the official prees bureau: "Last night our troops occupied the western, sides of three mine craters In the vicinity of the Vermilles.La Bassee road, "Ypree was shelled during the night. "Early this morning the enemy ex- ploded a mine to the north of Loos. There were no easualtiet. Our troope occupy one edge of the crater. "There was artillery activity on both sides te-day about Prise, to the north of 1,a seassoc Canal, about Wyt- elmete. and Ypres. "On Saturday there were twente• eight" ecenbats in the air, In five eases German inaehines was driven dolga behind the German lines. In a sixth it was forced to descend with a stopped 'engine and broken propeller, One of Mir macnines which was on reconnaissance duty has not returned. "The winch of a hostile captive balloon was atruelc by a shell and the balloon broke loose." The Saturday report said: "The enemy artillery has been aa. tive to -day north and .south ot LA Ranee Canal. Our artillery stetted the enemy trenches between the Anere and Smartie Riven. "Hostile aircraft have sheen Some activity abetit Ypres, Ielverdingle was again shelled," leItIeN'CII REPORT, Paris, Feb. following °M- etal eommunleation was Issued by the War Office Saturday night: 'In the vicinity of Boissons our ate tillery shelled the bridgehead at Venimiel and the enemy works at Vendresse foul Cerney, "A column on the march. va0 Wl. en under our fire to the eae of Saint Sauptet, • "In Champagne our batteries dam- aged the german organizations on the plateau. of Navarin, "Between the Aisne and the Ar - g011110 there was a bombardment a enemy sheitere and trenches to the north of St. Thome. At Haute i."111e- v5uchee we ocoupied the northern rim of a crater caused by the explo- sion Of a German mine. "In Lorraine our artillery was ae. tire in the region of Coincourt and Demme." The Sunday afternoon statement read: "There was feeble artillery activi- ty in the eons() of the. night, In the Champagne towards the (-rid a yesterday we carried out soMe destructive fire ou the enemy's trenches in the region of Maisons de Ohampague.4 The Sunday night report aid: "In, Belgium our artillery, in con. cert with the British artillery, eal.. vied out destructive fires on the Ger- man trenches in front of Boesingho. To the east ..74 the same region two enemy batteries were silenced by our heavy artillery. "To the east of Soissons we can- nonaded the hostile works on tlic) plateau of Ohassemy." 0** PROMOTIONS And Appointments in Canadian Forces Overseas. London, Feb. 6. -The following appoint- ments and promotions are gazetted: Canadian A. S. C., Captain Hale to he Mitior; LieutS, to teMporary Captains -C. J.. Daniel, 'S'. H. Graham; to Lieutenants, G. A. Greer, 0. C. Bdridge, S. C. Char- les, Canadian Ordnance Corps -Bl -H. Spicer, to Lieutenant; Ct. R. Carrier tO teninorary :Hon, Captain; Lance-C'orporel Rourke, Canadian Cavalry, to Second Lieutenant, East Kent Regiment, Pte. C. W. Johnson, Canadian Mounted Rifles, to Secona Lieutenant, Lincolnshire Regi - merit; Pie. ie. B. Boughton, co.naulan icorces.. to Seconuf Lieutenant, in Ohm- cet.ters, Pte. J, 111. Mackay* JerInces Pats. to Second Lieutenant In Oxford end 1311Clib. other promotions include: sergt, (jolon, 3.0th Battalion, promoted t) Lieutenant and posted to Zuth Re- serve 13attalion. and Pte. Charles Rey- nolds »romoted.to Lieutenant in tue Canadian Army Mcdicals. Major Mor- ris -Alexander has been amointed as- s:stant Judge advocate General of the Canadian Forces, Misses Jessie Clark and Margaret Johnson are appointed nursing sisters. Major Hayes, Director and Inspector of a Bayonet fighting, is promoted to Lieut, -Colonel. Lance -Corporal Bean and Corporal Warn, 3.6th Battalion, are pro- moted to Lieutenants and posted to the 30th Reserve Sergt. T. A. Loughtey is promoted to Honorary Lieutenant, and dis»enser in the Army Medicals. The following promotions have been n ade In the Fort Garry Horse; To be Majors-Capts. V. A. V. MeMeans. F. L. Wilson. R. C Lewis. G. A. Watson; to be Cantains-Lieuts. J. B. Stratford, A. G. Laudele, B. L. Middlemas. Officers appointed to Headquarters of the Canadian Army Service Corps; For CavalrY, Brigade, Officers Commanding, Major J, V. N. Spencer; adjustant, Captain IP. Browne; SUPPIY Officers Headquarters, Major B. 0, Duffin; Re- quistion Officer attached to Cavalry Bri- gade. Lieut. H. M. Smille: RequistIoning Officer attached to Cavalry Brigade, Lieut. 1. S. Charles; Transport Officer, Mout, H. P, Donnick. Lieut, thunnhrey has been appointed Work Shan Officer in the Motor Ambulance workshop attached to the Cavalry Bri- gade, -FORCES • • MIEN NU Superior Teuton Porces Cause Italo-Serbian Retirement. Huns Said to be Organizing Sys- tematic Massacres, London, Feb. 7. -The Athens cor- respondent: ot the Daily Mail tele. graphs: An Austrian report says that the Austrianti and Bulgarians have effect- ed a jenceion. in Albania and have at- tacked mixed fotces of Italians and Serbians, which, outnumbered, were obliged to retreat to Fieri (a Hale Joss than 39 miles due north of Ar- lene, the invaders' objective.) at is stated that the enemy liae occupied Elbassan," • ' • WHAT ROME HEARS. - Rome, Feb. 6. -Tee situation in Al - bailie is ntrichangeda. A squadron of Austritm cavalry has oCCupied the town of leroja, about 12 miles north- east of Itemize,' while Bulgarian- Ir- regulars are nearing Elbassanabut the Italians and the troops of tesaca. Pasha have as yet not come in con- tact with the invaders. Fierce, mer- ciless fighting is,going on in the itt. terior of Albania between Christien and Moslem Albanian tribesmen and armed bands have been recruited by the Bulgarians and financed by the Austrians and Germans. These bands ere now infesting central and south- ern Albania, massacring the inhabi- tants who are. friendly to Essad 'Pestle, burning towns and villages and looting them of all things of value, such as domestic utensils made out of copper, These things are Well paid for by the invaders, Who are much in need of copper, The Austrce German and Buigaritut officers are systematically organizing niassacres, applying tho experience acquired by them in the invasion of Serbia, which, they boast, is now praetically cleltolia• Iated, During the Serbian canipaiga only five hencleed prisoners were taken by the invaders.' Of the remainder of the population the mejority was Massa. creel. Now the same fate threatens Albania Unless the Albanians co- operate with the,Austrian and But - privet armies againet the Italians. _ SHOT BY PRIVATE Halifax Sergeant Killed by an in the Ranks. Halifax, N. S., Feb, 0.-Sergt. Alex. antler Williamson, of the Ord Rifles Battalion, was shot and Irstantly kill- ed in the military quarters at McNabb Island on Saturday night, and Private 'Charles Fielder, a =Meer of the sante battalion, le held a priemer at the pollee station on a charge of wil- ful murder. No motive for ale clime is known. The shooting occurred cam ten o'clock hi the barrack mem, and wee wittessed by a number of than of the battalion. Williamson leaves a widow and Six children Yielder to -night Adel:Veil the AhOoting and eXpreSsed regret tor the Melte. k' Ln 144 f e OTTAWA PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. the foreground is the Commons Wing, and the Library, with the tall Tower. The fire started In the eentre of the building, to the rear of the entrance Tower. FIVE BODIES -BURIED IN THE OTTAWA RUINS Hope Abandoned For B, B. Law, M. P.,For Yarmouth and Four Others Ottawa, Feb. 4.. -To -day a smoieing rain marks the place where yesterday ami for many yesterdays there stood the stateliest pile of Gotbie erenitee- tem in, Norta America. All day to -day fire engiues con- tinued pumping water inte the smouldering debris'. Columns of smoke issuing from ealf a dozen points in the rootless ruin show that the fire ' still smoulders stubbornly and it will likely smoulder so•for day,, Everywhere the wretar. is ccated with ice. The building has been ..gutted completely, with the ex- ception of the offiees iu the extreme east and west, and these are -flooded. Seenewhere in the • debris are the bodies of five men, or more, The five are.: Bowman B. Law, Liberal member for Yarmouth, N. S. J. B. Laplante, deputy clerk of the House of Commons. Randolph Fanning, post office em- ployee. . Alphonse Desjardins, Dominion Policeman. A. Desjardins, plumber in the House of Commons. • Bowman B. Law is the • one mem- ber of the House who lost his lige in the fire. He had spaken in yester- day's debate mei lia4 left the cham- ber with the Intention of visiting teiends. He was never seen again. it, Is supposed that he went to the room on the top flat occupied by the Nova Scotia Liberals, and that he died there, hie escape being cut off by the fire and smoke which filled the staircases and elevator shafts. .• Ottawa, Feb. 6. -The Special Com mission which is to investigate the burning gif the Parliament Buildings will be constitated tomorrow or Tuesday. It will consist of two mem- bers, on nominated by the Govern- ment and one by, the leader of the Oppositon. The •commission will issue as soon as the name of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's nominee is recetved by the Govern- ment and the commissioners will be given authority to employ all expert assistance that may be necessary, for the purpose of making the investiga. Lion thorough and complete. ' Two bodies bave so far been re- covered feom the ruins of the Parlia- ment Buildings. One was found on eaturday morning, that of J. 13 R La. plante, Assistant Clerk of tho Com - Mons, the other was discovered late to -night, it was that of Dominion Policeman Alphonse Desjareins. • Mr..Laplante's body was discovered in the Deputy Speaker's room on die Becond floor. Laplante had gone to this room after the alarm of fire was given, accompanied by Walter a steward. Hill jumped to the ground 40 feet below, and is now in the lidepital. Laplante remained, and met bis death,: his bOdy being found leaning halt dense the window sill of the room. ' The remains of Desjardins, discov- ered to -night, were disinterred from a heao- of masonry in a corridor in tile basement of the eentre block east of the Speaker's apartments. A lleavy iron beam rested across the knees of the dead man, and this was sawed through. The search is being prose- cuted, and it is expected other bodies will be found. Some anxiety is being felt by his friends in Ottawa for the safety of Mr. j, 0. Lavilee, metaber tor Bellachasse. He has not been seen. since Wednesday, the migbt'before the fire', though his clothe's and grips are still in his room., He was in the habit of leavingathe citeerao visit his 'home on Friday evenings, and hie Mends arc unaware that he contem- plated departing from the city tide week earlier time was his custom. OFFICIAL VIEW IS: ACCIDENT. The official view still 'fs. that the fire was of accidental origin. To those In &rectal circles who believe that the fire started from a' match or cigar etub, dropped by a eareless visitor to he reading reona the most puzzling feature is the marvelous rapidity with which the flames took hold of the building. Many of thi theories held by those who believe the fire was of incendi. my origin have been already dis- proved. Investigation has shown that he chemical fire extinguishers in the banditti; which, it ehas been reported, had been filled with gasoline instea.1 of fire-stnothering liquid, bad not • been Unuttered whit and that their contents were what they shottld be. There Is, a. etrorig sentiment in fa - of the reconstinctiein of the Par- liament building, by Making use of the \Mile as they eland, with tbe ad - Mien of steel and eolferete in the itt. • aerior, thus preserving thes tamillar Outline of the old strueture. Oa the other hand, the need for trimmed accoinmodation bag been preesIng for years, and the neceseity of meeting this need now may require the on Strada:in of an entirely new building. Whatever IA the decision of the Gov. erttnient in thie reepeet, no time Wilt The loss of the Parliament build- ings is expeeted to shorten the ses- sion materially. be lost ,in beginning the 'work. Thursday night'a disaster has stir- red the whole Empire and has brought ,to Sir :Robert Burden mes- sagesof synmathy from every part of Canada, tam the United States, from the deter dominions. aud many from the Motherland, Premier Asquith cabled yesterday as follows: "Deeply sympathize with you and the Government, the Parlia- ment and the people of Canada itt their great loss. The people of Great Britain already bound to the Domin- ion by .gratitude for magnificent ser- vice to the Empire's cause, will yet be more firmly united to Canada by common grief." Early Kitchener sent the following mesaage: "My sincere congratula- tions on, your fortunate ecape front the disastrous fire, which to our deep regret has wrought such damage to your Parliament buildings' Earl Grey, former Governor -Genet al,. cabled: "Filled grief, It is the saddest news. For seven years, we received new daily inspiration from the sight of the beautiful towers, but Lady Grey and 1, while deeply mourn- ing Canada's loss, know you will raise from the aeee.s a building worthy of the great destiny which their war sacrifices in the cause of righteous-. uesa have already abundantly Insured Lor the Canadian people." From the Rt. Hon. Boner Law: "I heartily express my profound sym- pathy with your Government and the people of Canada in the disastee which they have -suffered by the de- struction by fire of the Parliament buildings." FROM AUSTRALASIA. From Premier Massey, of New Zea- land: "The Government and people of New Zealand desire to express their . warmest sympathy with the people of Canada in the destruction of their magnificent Parliament build- ings by fire and the consequent loss of life. Telegrams • indica-tee some doubt of the .cause of the din -ester. I will therefore not dearwitretis point till definite information is at hand," From 'It. M. Ferguson, Governor- General of Australia, "Would ex- press to Your Royal Highness my deep regret at the lose 'suetatne,d by the people of Canada in thesaastruction of their beautiful Parliament Build- ings." From Governor Stanley, of Victoria: "The Governmetn of Victoria deeply sympathize with the Parliament and people of Canada in the great disaster which has befallen them in the de- struction of the magnificent Parlia- ment Buildings, Ottawa, and the con- sequent loss of life." Sir George Perlep cabled: "Deeply deplore the loss or life and the edisas- trous fire: Have received many ex- pressions of sympathy and regret." From Captain Seferovitch. Montene- grine Consul -General at New York: "Am peeply affected for your misfor- tune by a brutal criminal act of our enemies. ' And so glad that the Lord protected you. Please extend my feel- ings of aorrow to the familiea of the Unfortunates." From Hon, Mr, Harcourt: "Accept my deep sympathy at the great disas- ter." Similar message have been received from the Governor of Newfoundland, the Russian Consul -General at Mont- real, the Premier of Manitoba, the Consul -General of ftaly, Chairman Smithers, of the Grand Trunk, the Royal Colonial Institute, and- others. It is annenneed from Government House that HAUL the Duke of Con- naught has received very sympathetic telegrams from Queen Alexandria and Lord Kitebener in reference to the destruction of the Houses of Parlia- ment, . • • .4 -HAVE HARD TASK British Relief Force in Mesopo- taAnia, in Bad Vireather, London, Feb. d, -Tito correspondent of the British press in Mesopotamia, telegraphing from 13aera, Asiatie Ter - key, lender date of Pete 2, cmplimizeS the hard task of the Tint relief force, Ho says the climatic, cenditiOns com- pare with the worst experienced la Prance in the winter et 1914. In few campaigns halm the British and lns diens been ko severely tried, Lack a cover in the flat country exposea the advaiteing treops to rifle fire at 2,000 yards. At the present time, OWilg to the recent halt, the Conditions aro becom- itg lJJce those in Prance. Cominuni- eating trenches have been cat and for the moment the operations are con- fined to sniping and artillery fire. The Turkish official otatement eads: "Irak front, near Felaltia, there Idle teat a small artillery and infantry brittle,. Near Teat -et -Amara there P0 change In the Manakin." LAND PURCHASE Big $011.eme for Br.itair, Similar to That in Ireland. • London, Feb, 6, -One of the results of the war, according to reliable in - ruination, will be the adoptien by the tiovernMent of a Dig echeMe of laud purchase for Britain such as luta been • so successful in Ireland. Confronted ,with the two -fold prob- lem or providing employment for dis- charged soldiers, both during gad tit- ter the war, and the desirability, also denumtrated by experiences itt the war, of materially increasing home- • grown food supplies, the Home Office, the Board of Trade and the Board of Agriculture entered into consulta- tion with the War Office and the ap- • pointment by the Board of ,Agricul- ture of a special committee presided over by Sir Harry 0, Verney, Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Board of Ag- riculture, The report ot the committee, which will shortly be published, is seid to recommend extensive State acquisi- tions or land by compulsory purchase for the eetablishment on a large scale of colonies or small holders, and the development of co-operative buying and marketing and of agricultural credit banks, together with a Previ- sion for a large State grant to Put the proposals, ls z into operation. Naturally, the scheme will require Parliamentary LONDON DEFENCE Home Army to Take Over Control From 'Sir Percy Scott. London, Feb. 7. -(New York Herald cable) -The Time announces that Sir Percy- Scott will relinquish command om the air defences of London at the end of this week, and that they will be taken over by the staff of the two army, f which Lord French is com- mander-in-chief. The newspapers of England bave fimisted strongly on a recognition of London's aerial defences, especially. shwa the last big Zeppelin -raid, A _week ago it was announced that the Admiralty, welch heretofore has been In- charge oe the work, would be re- lieved of the 'development and super- vision of the defeace corps and that the War Office would have supervis- ion over it, with the _admiralty co-op- erating. THREE HMI IN I-IEPELEH GASE Suspects Arrested Following Mull- • itions Plant Blaze. Stranger Left Valise in the Burned Factory. Hespeler, Ont., Feb. 6. -Two more arrests were made Saturday night by Chief of Police Wilson of suspects in connection with the fire which at noon hour Saturday destroyed the shell de- partmeet of A. B. Jardine & Com- pany's foundry. While the fire was destroying the building Chief Wilson placed John Schmidt under arrest. Schmidt was -lodged in the town lock up and searched, but o far as can be learned nothing of an incriminating character was revealed. Schmidt, who is. an Austrian, has according to the authorities, been in the town at intervals in the past two years. Last night the police arrested two more men of suspicious character, who have been in the town of late. While the police refuse to divulge their names, it is known that the men are of foreign parentage. The government authorities are working on the case and every effort is being made to as- certain the cause of the fire. Residents in Hesitater and surround- ing district are geeatly aroused, and are positive the fire was started by enemies, The theory that Jardine Foundry fire tvas of incendiary origin bas been in. creased by discovery of further evi- dence. A workman, by the name of Loveday, who was eating his .clinner in the factory, heard an explosion and found the plant in flames. Ernest Radkie, another employe, says he saw a stranger come into the shop, and he asked for a job, and that he had a Valise which he set down beside a resin tank. Radke saw it there whenhe left the plant at 12.20. The fire was in the shell department of the works, which was a building 128 feet by 50 feet, and the loss is now estinterea at between $50,000 and $60,. 000. At noon wben the employees left the factory, which is in the entre of the town, everything was quiet. The watchmau was the only one known to be in the building. Numbers of the men went to a big recruiting meeting which was being held at noon hour, Mayor L. E. Weaver was speaking and 500 soldiers of the Illth Battalion were tireesent from Galt and Preston. The meeting had scarcely commenced when the alarm of fire was given. The firemen made a quick response and saved the other buildings. COUNT IS SORE Reventlow is Angry Over Loss of the Zeppelin L-19. ' Berlir., via Londoe, Feb. 7.-2Ount Ernest yen ReventloW, In an article in the Tages Zeitung, olaments on the destruction of the Zeppelin L-19 by Dutch guards, ile eites the Tageblatt, which in an editorial declared that "justification for firing on the airship was naturally at hand for the Dutch coast guards," and says: "We, at leaat, aro not convineed of justification tetrally at hand, for if the airship was damaged and endeavored to find a landing plate on Ameland Island it had the Brune right of asylum as a damaged watsbip needing coal had on enterirg it neutral harbor and, after the lapse Of a specified period, of leave Ing again unrestrained." Count von ReventioW &gentiles from • the Met that the 1,19 was flying 80 IOW that it had suffered from aceident, and het expresses the View that the rule aPPlaifig to Warships seeking asylum elmuld be 'eetended to aircraft. ENEMY HEADY FOR If OHNE ON SillONIKI One Report Says the German. and Bulgar Forces gave Already Opened Attack, RAID ON EGYPT Prince Leopold of Bavaria to Lead the Attempt On the Suez Canal. London, Feb. O. -Field Marshal You Mackerrsen has assumed conunand of the AustroeGerman army destined to 'attack the allied expedition at Salon- iki. He has establiehed his headquar- ters itt Monastir. Meanwhile Gen, Gallwitz has gone to Sofia, where he is inspecting the defences and entrenched camps sur- rounding the Bulgarian capital. He is also looking over the Bulgarian fort1. fications along the Danube and on the ,A.egean Sea, It is considered probable that Gen. Gailwitz will command the Turco -Bulgarian forces that are to co- operate with the northern armies in the drive on Salonika • A. Rome despatch says: "The at- tack en Salonlki is believed to be im- minent. New formed Bulgarian regi- ments officered by Germans, are now concentrating on Xanthi and Camas dijna, on the Decleagateli-Saloniki railway la Bulgaria, while the Aus- trian troops are moving out ot Mon- tenegro towards Monastir, leaving less than 00,000 behindeto occupy the coun- try. The invasion of Albania will therefore probably be held ha abey- ance for some time. HEAR ATTACK HAS STARTED. The inauguration of an offensive movemenaby the German and Bulgar- ian forces which have been stationed along the Greek frontier is reported in a Saimaa despatch to Paris. It is said an artillery duel has been in progress for two days in the neigh- borhood of Doiran, and that the Brit- ish heavy guns are dominating those of their adversaries. "The exaggeratedly pessimistic re- ports from Austro -German sources la regard to Roumaniasa intervention are merely intended to 'create a false impression that the' Bulgarians are compelled to gutird their frontiers, and hence are powerless to co-operate in the attack on Salonika . Instead the Austrians and Germans are well aware that Roumania's intervention is not at all imminent, and depends •entirely on future developments in the Balkans." Prince Leopold of Bavaria, who has studied. Egypt thoroughly, will be ap- pointed to command a Gernaan-Turk- ish army in an attack on the Suez Canal, according to the Bayerische Kurier of Munich. The newspaper says the expedition is expected to get under way in the spring, and. that it will be commanded by German officers Who are making preparation at Con- stantinople King Ferdinand of Bulgaria is com- ing to Germany, it was learned here to -clay, to return the visit paid by Eriaperor William to the King at Nish, Serbia, on Jan. 18. WILL DEMAND INDEeIN-ITY. A Greek special comnfission has submitteel a long report relative to the demagog caused to the ,:town of Sas loniki by the recent attack of Zep- pelin airships. A recenimendation is made to the Greek Preenier.that a de- mand be made on Germany for in- demnity. A Sofia despatch says: The State Attorney has asked the Bulearian Parliament for authority to arrest .e3 of its members, constituting the so-called Glienadieff group (ad- herents of M. Ghenadieff, formerly Minister of Foreign Affairs), for "ae- cepting bribes from a French agent." The case created a great sensation in Bulgaria some time ago when the facts were first divulged, The request was referred to an appropriate corn. mittee. AIRMEN KILL 470 BULGARS. An official Bulgarian report foie warded from. Athens says that 470 men were killed and more than 500 wounded during the recent attack by French aeroplanes on Bulgarian camps. The attack is said to have been made by seventeen aeroplanes. More than 200 bombs were dropped on the Bulgarian camps at Petrieh, in the Strumitsa Valley. The bombardment Was over hi 20 minutes. 10 • CODERRE GUILTY Trial of French-Canadian Offieer Ends in Conviction. London, Feb, 6.--TwelitY Minutes after retirleg the jury at the Win- chester Assizes returaed on Saturday afternoon a verdict of guilty agalast George Coderre, late lieutenant of the 4let battalion, indicted for the mur- der of Sergt. ()tame, of the Oth Mounted Hitless. "You add nothing about the state of his mind?" enquired Mr. Justice "We fled him guilty," gravely l'e• sponded the foreintun Throughout the two days' hearing the prisoner sat between his guards in the big dock listening acutely, but never betraying exciteMent, Now, on being called upon to say WhY Sentence sbould not be passed, lie opened his live for the first time sirice pleading not gate. "All I have to say is I ani not the man who did it," he declared, stand. Mg erect, showing ne eign of Menton, SEEK JAP, VIEWS Papal Delege4e There is Sounding Authorities On Peace, Ifel,Tort-,* Tokio, Feb. understoed here that Aloneignor retrelll, the epeelal delegate from the vatlean, while ac. (=wishing his mission of deliVerillg POPO Benedict's coronation cengretue lations to Idnaperer Yowl/tato, tee seized the opportunity to study the ,situation relative to the reeseption it possible peace proposal from the Vatican. The impression exists that one pure pose or the Apostolic Delegatee eielt 1:s the feeling that, shOseld tile'Vaticart later suggest mediation, the Pope's Proliesal would be courteously re- ceived and studied by Japan, who, -however, in no way invitee such in- itiative, Japan's position le mere. gelded, as faithful to lier Olive, and desirous only or peace which is entitle factory to them. It is believed in diplomatio circles that the Vatican is sounding the opine ion ot various belligerent countriee concerning the prospects for it general peace, with the object or determining where beat to launch, the initiative, should suclt a sten be decided upon,. NM BIG ORDER FOR MUNITIONS Imperial Board at Ottawa Gets Further Contracts For 800,000 18 -Pounder Shrapnel Shells. Ottawa, Feb. d.7 --An order for eight hundred thousand eigliteen-pounder shrapnel- shells has justeesen reeeivea by the Imperial :Munitions Board from the British Ministry of Muni- tions. This is the first large order which has come to Canada since the present alraperial Munitions Board succeeded the old Shell Committee, the board's energies having been directed chiefly toward hastening deliveries on orders placed some time ago. It is probable that the new orders will be allotted in the form of renewals to firms welch are already engaged in the manufac- ture of these shells. The munitions industry in Canada has developed a greater capacity for turning out eighteen -pounder shrap- nel shells than for the manufacture of any other, and is well able to take care ef the large order whicb has just. been received. ANGRY SWEDES Resent Germany's Course as to • Contracts forlron. Stockholm, via London, Feb. 7. -At the outbreak of the war,.German iron works were delivering castings to Swedish ship yards, and, owing to the prohibition of export from England, obtained a monopoly e se of the with the German works. The German growing dereande4f tonnage in "- den, very hasgey orders were place Geyerall eaantracts shall be cancelled in le)dent has recently ordered that etnie the Swedish yards will not Pay an additional sixty per tette and pay money. Work money, Instead of German Work has ceased at many a the. Swedish wharves, and there has been a wholesale breach of contracts enter- ed, upon after the outbreak of 'the War. Financier circles denounce the break- ing of these contracts, and there has-, been a further depreciation of the German mark. The newspapers, even the pro -German press, are indignant, and are strongly urging immediate eaga- Prisals through the prohibitimanof the export or iron ore, and thafplacing of an extra duty on all articles export-. ed to Germany, A GIANT UNION Five Trades Bodies to Work for Better Conditions, New York, Feb. 7. -Labor leaders here say that a movement is under way to bring about cencerted action of members of the four great uni tns of t railway employes and of the nited Mine Workers in their demand for increased wages or shorter working days. It is stated that if this plan were put into effect it would bring 'about combined action by 750,000 men, and affect the mining rields of Pennell. yenta, Colorado, and the south. The movement is said to have the approval of W. S. Carter, President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- ginemen and Firemen, and of W. G. Lee, President of the Brotherhood of ItaltrOad Trainmen. Representatives of the railroad unions are said to have been sent to Mobile to confer With Ithe United Mine Werkers of America, who are gathering there for a center - ate with the operatore to -morrow. • It is reported here that John T. White, President of the United Mine ',Workers, has disapproved the pro- posed coalition. FIRE AT HEPWORTH. Hepworth, Ont.. Feb. 0. -Tho drug store and Bell Telephone central in Herts worth were tleStrOyed by Ore yestordait Meriting betNseen 5 and 5 a.m. These were loeated in one building' and operat- ed by V. S. Campbell. The fir0 start. ed in the More room adjoining the 'Wa- rtime offieo. and 114 eupposed to have been caused by 'combustion. Tito night operator, Albert Bribbee, narrowly tee timed. The building and tenlesta are 11. total lees. Partly eevered by ineurance. 14* SIR C. SMITH DEAD Was Formerly Governor of Straits Settlements, London, Feb. 1. ---The Right Hon, Sir Cecil Clements Smith died Sunday at Welwyn. Sir Cecil Smith rose from the posi- tion of student interpreter at Hong Kong in 1862 to Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settlements in 1618..seietiter he was a.ppointedLientenant-Governor and Colonial Seeretary of Ceylon, vett then Governor and"Commander-ln- Chief of the Straits Settlements: He wag chief British delegate to the In- ternational opium conference st The Hague in 1911, Sir Cecil Entitle was born in 1840. A woman may love t MIL MIR 10111u bottein of her heart, but sots Wc(1111.14 some other fellow. 0