HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1917-07-12, Page 3MA TY OF SIXTY-THREE FOR
MILITARY SERVICE ACT OF 1917
Both the Six Months' }Joist and the Referendum Etre Defeated by
Large Majorities.
A despatch from Ottawa says; At
3 o'clock Friday' morning the first
division on the Conscriptiou Bill re-
sulted in the defeat of the sub -
amendment of J, A, Barrette, of
Joliette, calling for the six months'
hoist, by a vote of nays 102, yeas 9, a
Government majority of 154.
The following voted for the Bar-
rette amendment: Messrs. Achim of
Labelle, Barrette of Berthier, Belle -
mare of Maslcinonge, Boulay of Ri-
mouski, Descarcies of Jacques Car-
tier, Gerard of Chicoutimi, Gullbauit
of ,Joliette, Paquet of L'Islet and Pa-
tenaude of Ilochelaga, the ex -Secre-
tary of State.
Ninety Conservatives, including 3.
Il. Rainville, the Deputy Speaker, and
seventy-three Liberals opposed the
amendment.
The Laurier referendum amend-
ment was voted down by 110 to 02,
a Government majority of 48.
On the Government side-- of the
Ilouse Sir Rodolphe Forget and
Messrs. Patenaucle, Barette, Paquet,
Girard, Gilbault, Bellemarre, a3oulay,
and Desearries voted with the leader
of the Opposition. Nineteen Liberals
voted with the Government.
Tho Liberals who voted against the
referendum were; Messrs, Guthrie,
Pardee, Graham, Carvell, Maclean (of
Halifax), Cruise, Charlton, Turiif,
Nesbitt, MaoNutt, MacLean (of Sun-
bury), McCraney, Loggie, Clark, Bu-
chanan, Douglas, Champagne Neeley
and Duncan Rose.
The vote on "The Military Service
Act of 1917" was 118 yea and 55.
nay. Majority, 63.
CHINESE EMPIRE
OVERTHROWN
Republic is Re -Established Fol-
lowing Abdication of
Emperor.
A despatch from San Francisco
says:—China is in the throes of civil
war and a battle is being fought be-
tween troops of the southern provinces
fighting for the preservation of the re-
public, and the northern forcesof the
young Emperor, according to cable ad-
vices received here on Wednesday by
the Chinese Nationalist League, The
first clash was announced as having
occurred on Tuesday by officials of the
league, who claim the source of its in-
formation is unquestionable.
The advices on Wednesday state
that President Li Yuan IIung is safe
in Pekin and ViceePresident Fung
Kuck Jung is directing troop move-
ments in Nanking.
According to the despatches the
soldiers of President Li in the Chi-
nese capital are steadily gaining
ground.
London, July 9.—A Reuter's Limit-
ed despatch from Pekin- announces
that Hsuan Tung, the young Emperor,
has abdicated. -
Washington, July 8.—Official de-
spatches to the Chinese Legation here
to -night said the republic had been
firmly re-established at Nanking, with
Fang Kuo-Chang, the former Vice -
President, as President of the new
Provisional Government. Republican
troops were reported converging to-
ward Pekin to drive out the Manchu
forces remaining in possession there,
in the name of the Imperialists.
EXPECTS FAIR CROP
IN SASKATCHEWAN
A despatch from Regina, Sask.,
says:—Hon. W. R. Motherwell, Mini-
star of Agriculture for Saskatchewan,
stated on Friday that, despite reports
of damage to the crop in some districts
of the province, he looked for a crop
of equal or even better volume than
that of last year, providing really fav-
orable weather conditions prevails bo-
tween now and harvest:
FOOD BLOCKADE
IS SUCCESSFUL
Entry of United States Into the
War Stops Importation
Through Neutrals.
A despatch frail:. London says :—
Discussing in the House of Lords on
Wednesday the question of com-
modities reaching enemy countries
through neutrals, Viscount Milner,
member of the War Cabinet, referred
to America's entry into the war as
considerably checking this leakage.
He expressed the conviction that the
importation into Germany of com-
modities from neutral countries, which
had previously been imported into
these neutral countries from overseas,
had been completely stopped by the
blockade and the pressure the allies
had been able to exert on the neutrals,
Undoubtedly, he said, there was still
considerable export from neutrals into
Germany, but it was entirely the neu-
trals' own home products.
45 OPERATORS
HAVE GONE DOWN
Gallant Acts of Wireless Opera-
tors in Remaining With
- Sinking Ships.
A despatch from London says;—
The Marconi Internationa' Marine
Communication Co,, at its meeting on
Wednesday declared a dividend total-
ling fifteen per cent. for the year The
number of ships now installed is 1,855,
and the operator's employed 3,347, of
which 833 have been saved from vest
sels sunk, 45 have been drowned, 99
injured, one killed and 19 taken pris-
oners. Many gallant acts of opera-
tors sticking to sinking ships and send-
ing ship's positions, thereby ensuring
the picking up of the boats in a com-
paratively few hours, were recorded.
One operator was torpedoed three
times in three months, and is still un-
hurt and ready to go to sea again, but
was rewarded and put ashore. •
THREE RUSSIAN ARMIES ACTIVE
IN IMPORTANT OFFENSIVE
General Brussiloff Advancing Toward Halicz, the Key to Lem-
berg, Capital of Galicia.
Petrograd, July •8,—According to
semi-official reports, the Russian of-
fensive is spreading to the north and
south of Helicz, in Eastern Galicia,
which was virtually under the guns of
General Brussiloff when the advance
of a year ago came to a standstill.
Halicz is important as the key to Lem-
berg, the capital of Galivia, and is
about 60 miles south-east of that city.
Three armies are now engaged on a
front of mere than 30 miles along the
Narayuvka RiverThe enthusiasm
among the troops is increasing. A
train carrying 500 sailors from Revel,
who organized the "storming bat-
talion" and wear shoulder ribbons in-
scribed, "To the trenches," passed
through Petrograd to -day.
Some activity is reported along the
northern front. The Government has
ordered the release of Polish pris-
oners -of -war captured from the Ger-
man ranks. '
General Brussiloff is pushing his of-
fensive with energy and rapidly ex-
tending its scope. Ile has begun an
attack in the region—of Pinsk, 150
miles north of Galicia, within which
forward movement had previously
been restricted, and is attacking with
success in the region north-west of
Stanislau, south-east of Lemberg.
BRITISH AIRMEN BRING DOWN
TEN GERMAN MACHINES
Saturday Raid on London and Eastern Coast District Resulted
in 37 Killed and 141 Injured.
London, July 8.—British airmen
brought down ten German aeroplanes
following a raid on London Saturday,
as .a result of which 87 were killed
and 141 injured. Ono enemy machine
downed by the Royal Flying -Corps
fell into the sea off the mouth of the
Thames, three were brought down by
pursuing machines from England.
British airmen at Dunkirk watching
for the returning raiders missed then
Owing to the fact that they returned
over Dutch territory, but the British
drove down seven other German ma-
chines, several of them in flames.
Lord French reports that the total
casualties in Saturday's German air
raid reported by the police up to the
present are:
I{illed—Metropolitan area, men, 27;
women, 4; children, 8; total, 34; Isle of
Thenct, men, 1; women, 2; total, 3;
total killed, 87. .
Injured—Metropolitan area, mon,
'74; women, 27; childreh, 36; total,
189; Isle of Thane', women, 1; ehil-
ch'on, 1: total 2; total injured, 141.
GERMANS WRECK
FOSSE AT AVIOID
Pithead Overlooking Canadian
Outposts Blown Up by
Enemy,
A despatch from Canadian Head-
quarters hn France says; Fosse 0,
the pithead 'which overlooked our
outposts in Avion, disappeared on
Thursday in a cloud of dust and fire.
Ib lied been for some time a mark for
our heavy artillery, but whether the
destruction was caused by_,our shells
or by the Germans themselves is not
known, If they anticipated a further
immediate advance of our men they
may have blown up the mining works
themselves, for it is their policy to
leave behind them.nothing that would
aid in speedy resumption of mining
operations in this important coal
area. Our casualties have been very
light during the past two weeks, and
exceptionally so in the killed and
missing classes,
GERMAN TROOPS
THRO °t't N BACK
Strongest Offensive Since Ver-
dun Broken Down
Everywhere.
A despatch from French Front in
Prance says:—After their strongest
offensive effort since Verdun the Ger-
mans found themselves on Thursday
thrown back everywhere along an 11 -
mile front on the Chemin-de-Dames,
leaving the ground thickly strewn
with their dead and having failed to
take even one French soldier prisoner.
The French lines remained intact,
and the French commanding general,
who watched the operations through-
out from the front trenches, was able
to declare that not a single yard of
territory had been lost.
RUSSIANS RENEW
FIG_1T IN GALICIA
Massed' Assaults Made Between
Zborow and Koniuchy.
A despatch • from London says:—
The battle in Eastern Galicia between
the Teutonic forces and the Russians
developed afresh on Friday. After
a great artillery battle on the front
where the Russians made their assault
earlier in the week massed assaults
were delivered by the Russians qn
German positions between Zborow and
Koniuchy, and at Brzezany.
U. S. CAN MAKE TEAR GAS.
Damage is Done by the Irritating
,• Dust From Lily Seed.
Dr. J. N. Rose, associate curator
of plants in the National' Museum at
Washington, has secured in Vene- $
zuela specimens of "sabadilla," a
Venezuelan plant of the lily family,
from the seeds of Which are produc-,S
ed some of the asphyxiating and
tear -producing gases used by the
Germans in the present war. $
It is stated that the dust from
the' -'seed in the field irritates the b
eyes, throat, and especially the nose, b
so much that the native laborers are t
obliged to wear masks.
It has been reported that the Ger- $
mans bought all the available supply
of these seeds before the declaration s
of war. Both the sabadilla seeds and it
all preparations compounded from a
them are now, however, declared con-1
traband by England. la
Another plant of the same genus 6
grows wild in Texas, and some hot -Is
anists believe that should a need for
sabadilla arise here it .could easilylt
be cultivated in Texas and in other
southern states.
LEADING MARKETS
�ren4stuffs
Toronto, July 10--Manttnba wheat ---
No, 1 Northern, 82,80' No, 2 Northern,
62,88, nominal, Iracic flay ports.
Manitoba oats—No. 2 C.W., 781o,
track .flay parts.
American corn—No. 8 yellow, 11.820,
nominal track Toronto.
Ontario oats No ()Metal quotations,
er tar o wheat—No, 2 Winter, per oar
lot, 22 86 to 12.40; No. 8 22.83 to $3.88,
alcor ing' to freights outside.
peas --No. 3, nominal, aceordhlg 10
freights outside.
Bar' oY—M-altlnrg nominal, according
to freights outside,
Rye --No, 2, 12,00, nominal, aconrding
to freights outside.
Manitoba flour—:first patents, In lute
ags, 212,501 second patents, inute
bags, 111,00; strong bakers', in Bate
bas, 11.60, Toronto.
Ontario -flour---Winter, according to
sample, $10.16 to $10.28, in bags, track
Toronto, prompt shipment.
Millreed—Car lots, delivered Montreal
freights, bags included --Bran, per ton,
$31; shorts, per ton, 538; middlings,
nor ton, 142; good feed (lour, per bag,
18,80 to 12.90,
810y— xtt'a No. 2, per ton, 112.60 to
$13,61); mixed, per ton, $2 to $11, traok
Toronto.
straw—Car lots, per ton, $3, track To-
ronto,
country Produno—Wholesale
Butter—Creamery, solids, per lb., 35
to 352o; prints, per Ib., 552 to sea;
dairy, per lb., 28 to 29e,
2Oggs—Per doz„ 28 to 29c.
Wholesalers are selling to the retail
trade at the following prices ;—
Cheese --New, large, 222 to 23c' twins,
222 to 231c; triplets, 23 to 231o; old,
large 30e; twins, 3110; triplets, 808e.
Butter—Fresh dairy, choice, 35 to 30a'
creamery prints,30 to 300; solids, 380.
Eggs—Now-latl, In cartons, 37 to 38e;.
out of cartons,30o.
Dressed poultry—;Spring chickens, 352;
fowl, 22 to 242; squabs, per doz., 04.00
to $9,60; turkeys, 20 to 30e.
Live poultry --Spring chlokons, lb., 20
to 25c; hens, 18 to 20c. @
Honey—Comb—l"xtra'fine and heavy
weight. per doz„ $2,75; select, $2.60 to
$2s $2.26.
Beans -2 Imported, hrnd-packed, $9.00
to. $0.52 per bush.; Limas,- per lb., 10 to
20c.
Potatoes—Red Star. new, bbl., $2.00
to $8.50; North Carolinas, new, bbl., $8
to $8,50.
Provisions—Wholesale
Smoked meats -Hams, medium -30 to
31c; do., heavy, 26 to 27c; cooked, 41 to
42e; roils, 27 to 28e; breakfast bacon,
33 to 36c; backs, plain, 36 to 37c; bone-
less, 19 to 40c.
Cured meats --Long clear bacon. 26 to
203*, per lb; clear bellies, 25 to 20o,
Lard—Puree lard. tierces, 27 to 272e;
tubs, 27), to 271c; palls, 271 to 273c;
compound, Heroes, 210,; tubs, 213e;
pails, 22e.
Montreal Markets
Montreal, July 10—Oats—Canadlan
Western, No, 2. 81 to 812c; do., Cana-
dian Western, No, 3, S0 to 805c; extra
No. 1 feed;" 80 to 802c. Barley—Man.
feed, $1.13. Flour—Man, Spring wheat
'latents, firsts, $1.2.50; do„ seconds, $12;
strong bakers', 811.50; Winter patents,
choana, $12,50; straight rollers, $12 to
bays. $6.75 to $6.90, Rolled
oats—Barrels, #9.00 to 29.25; do., bags,
90 lbs., $4.36 to $4,40. Bran, $32.
Shorts, $38. Middlings, $40 to 1.12.
Moulilie,. 544 to $47, Hay, No. 2, per
ton, oar lots, 112.50 to 113. Cheese—
Finest Westerns, 210c; do., finest east -
erns, 215o. Butter—Choicest creamery,
350; do., seconds, 34c. Eggs—Selected,
070; do No. 1 stock, 33 to 3.4o; No, 3
stock, l'8 to 30c, Potatoes—per bag,
car lots, $4.25 to $4,50,
Winnipeg Crain
Winnipeg, July 10—Cash quotations—
Wheat—No, 1 Northern, $2.20; No. 2
Northern, 22.17; No. 3 Northern, $2.12;
No. 4, 12,00; No. 6, $1.78; No, 8, $1.59:
feed,_51.19. Oats—No. 2 C.W., 783e; No,
3 c.W., 7220; extra No. 1 feed, 738c; No,
1 feed, 720e; No, 2 feed, 703c. Barley—
No. 3, 51.25; No, 4, $1.20; feed, $1.10;
rejected, 01.10. Flax—No, 1 N.W.C„
$2.66; No. 2 C,W., 22.018; No 3 C.W„
32.464, Basis contract -for wheat—July,
52.18; August (first hall), $9,18,
United States Markets
Minneapolis. July 10—Wheat—July
closed 82.22: September, $1.86; cash—
No. 1 hard, 02.42 to 12.47; No. 1 North-
ern, $2.32 to $2.42; No, 2, - iso., $2.22 to
02,82. Corn—No. 3 yellow,
Oats—No, 8 white, 705 to 710, Flour—
Fanay patents, $12.70; first clears,
10,70; other grades unchanged, Bran
—129 to 531.
Duluth, July 10—Wheat—No. 1 herd,
2.26; No. 1 Northern, 22.25; No, 2, do,,
2.20. Linseed—$2.77; July, $2.77;
eptember, 12,76; October, $2.71,
rive Stook Markets
Toronto, July 10—Choice heavy steers,
10.75 to $11.25; butchers' cattle,
hoIoe, 110.65 to 211; 410,, medium, 00.26
o $9,75; do., common, $5,26 to $0,75;
etchers bulls, -.choice, 58,50 to 00.50;
o., good bulls, 88 to $0 50; do., medium
ells, $7.60 to 88; do„ tough bulls, $5,25
o 56; butchers' cows choice. $8 to 69;
o., good, 17.50 to 28: do., medium, $7
o 07.60; stocicors, $0 to $8; feeders
8 to 10.10; canners and cutters,' 3
o 6$; dm., ikcorn., good
to chito 808 50o
pringers, $80 to 290; light ewes, $8 to
8,50; shes7,, heavy, $6 #o.vear-
ng0, $5.50 i:o $0; et Ives, good to
hoicc, $14 to 115.50; spring Iambs, 1b.,
4c to 15c; lambs, Yegt ags, '' 1.80
8 to
10.80; hogs, fed and watsrod, $10.76;
o„ weighed off cars, $17; do., f.o.b.,
16,
Montreal, July 10—Choice steers,
11.50 to 12.; good, $11 to $11.25; fair,
10 to $10.7o1 common, 50 to $9.76;
utehers' cows, $8 to 210; bulls, $8.55
O 810.60; calves, $7 to $12; spring
lambs, 56 to $8: skean, 7.60
selected loge $16.75 to $ 7; heavy-
weights, $15.76 00 $16.
•
GERMANS COIN EXCUSE
TO MALTREAT BELGIANS
A despatch from London says::—A
despatch to the Times from The Hague
says that as a reprisal for the alleged
ill-treatment of Germans by Belgians
in German East Africa, Germans have
seized 23 distinguished Belgians and
removed them 'without ; warning to
their notorious punishment camp in
Germany, They all had directorial
or other connections in the Congo,
among them being the 70 -year-old
Count - Jean d'Oultremont, the late
King Leopold's Lord Chamberlain;
also M. d'Ursel, who is aged 67.
BRILLIANT FRENCH SUCCESS
ON THE VERDUN FRONT
Paris, July 8.—The Germans launch-
ed another violent attack on the Aisne
front last night, and, as in the case of
their recent attempt to recapture im-
portant positions along the Chemin-
des-Dames, met with determined re-
sistance from the French, and suffer-
ed very heavy losses. Tho attack
was delivered in four sectors.
On the Verdun front west of the
Meuse the French scored a brilliant
success. Five strongly organized
sellouts were captured and held
against counterattacks.
GERMANS SLAIN FROM START
OF WAR TO M i; "; CH TOTAL 1,500,000
63,222 Enemy Prisoners and 509 Guns Have Been Taken on the
Western Front in Six Weeks.
A' despatch from Paris says: The
total number of Germans killed from
the beginning of the war to March,
1017,rs not less than 1;500,000, ac-
cording to an estimate teethed by
French general headquarters. This
computation has been made after
careful study of documents bearing on
the subject.
From April 15 to June 30 the
Franco -British troops on the western
front captured 63,222 prisoners, in-
cluding 1,278 officers, says an official
summary of the operations issued on
Thursday, The war material taken in
the same period includes 509 gums,
503 trench mortars and 1,818 machine
guns..
KRUPP WORKS AT ESSEN BOMBED
BY FRENCH MR FLEET
Deluge of Shells Dropped on Many Industrial Cities of Germany
Over Wide Territory.
Paris, July 7.—Mighty-four French
aeroplanes made a series of raids Fri-
day night far into Germany, in re-
prisal for German attacks on open
French towns. Sixty-seven thousand
pounds of bombs were dropped at
many points of military importance.
Only two inaohines failed to return.
The prinelpal centres visited were
Treves, Essen and Coblenz, Eleven
aeroplanes raided Treves, dropping
over 5,000 pounds of bombs. Seven
fires broke out, one of which was in
the Central Station. Six other ma-
chines attacked Ludwigshafen, de-
stroying among other things the Ba-
dische aniline factory.
At least one pilot went as far as Es -
son, where he shelled' the Krupp fac-
tory. Other places bombarded were
the environs of Coblenz, Hirson,
Thionville, Dun -Sur -Meuse, Banthe-
ville, Machault, and Cauroy.
According to the character and sit-
uation of the towns reached and their
distance from the front the following
deductions are possible;
The raid was intended to cover
throe classes of towns—German in-
land towns, where munitions are pro-
duced; towns used' as bases for the
(Retribution of war material, and
French towns of small population
which have been more or less forti-
fied by the Germans since their occu-
pation.
The raid is also distinctly marked
as to the territory covered into these
regions, all, however, having as their
extreme inland limit the valley of the
Rhine. These regions are (1) the
BRITISH TROOPS
MOVE FORWARD
Make Gains in Flanders, and at
Messines Ridge,
A despatch from London says 1—
In on attack against the German lines
south-west of IIollebeke, in Flanders,
and on the northern end of the recent
British advance against the Messines
Ridge, Field Marshal Haig's troops
have driven the Germans back on a
front of 600 yards. The gain was
made south-west of IIollebeke (near
the Ypres Canal). Prisoners were
captured in raids in Nieuport vicinity,
TIIE MAKING OP AUSTRALIA
Some Facts in the History of the
Great Southern Commonwealth,
The establishment of the Common-
wealth of Australia has the easiest
lower Rhine east of the Belgian fron- date and form of government to re-
tier, (2) the middle Rhine or the member in modern history. It was
Coblenz region, and (3) the lower wa-
tershed of the Meuse and the Mo-
selle,
HON. W. J. HANNA, FOOD
CONTROLLER, MAKES FIRST STATEMENT
Without Allowing for Loss in Transit, the Supply of Wheat Will
be 160,000,000 Bushels Short.
A despatch from Toronto says;
Canada's Food Controller, Hon. W.
J. Hanna, has already completed
much of the organization of his de-
partment to deal with the soaring
food prices and to provide large
quantities of food for export to Great
Britain and her allies. On Friday
afternoon Mr. Hanna addressed a
largely -attended meeting of the Wo-
men's Press Club in Toronto which
was attended by representatives of
other women's organizations. He re-
viewed the work that has already
been clone, and outlined briefly some
of the things he expects to be clone
shortly.
Canada and the United States
should export to the allies and neu-
tral countries this year 460,000,000
bushels of wheat, but will be 160,000,-
000 bushels short, without allowing
for loss in transport.
From one-third to two-fifths of
proclaimed on the first day of this
century, January 1, 1901—the date,
which the majority of us consider the
beginning of this very, important cen-
tury.
Australia is somewhat smaller than
Canada, having an area of about 3,-
000,000 square miles, The earliest
parts settled were inhabited for a time
by a rather large proportion of Eng-
lish criminals.
It was in 1788, eighteen years after
Captain Cook explored the east coast
that Port Jackson was found as a
penal station for criminals from Eng-
land, and the settlement, for the next
wheat foods consumed in Canada and fifty years, transportation of convicts
the United States must be saved to being virtually suspended in 1839.
This oldest of the Australian colonies,
New South Wales, had made a fair
start in free industrial progress from
1821. The convicts were allowed con-
siderable freedom for money -making,
meet shortage.
Everyone in hotels, restaurants,
public places and homes of Canada
must co-operate to bring about an en-
ormous saving.
United States and Canada Food about the only thing being denied
Controllers propose to co-operate not them toward the end of the convict
only in forming organizations, but period being the right to leave the
island continent.
The first British Governors at
Sydney ruled with despotic power.
They were officers in command of the
garrison, the convicts and the few
free settlers. A population of 30,-
000 in 1821 formed the infant Com -
of fruit monwealth of New South Wales,
Investigation proceeding as to three-fourths of them being canvicts—
method of reducing cost of bread to perhaps the strangest collection of
the consumers, citizens the world has ever seen.
in carrying out the work of the or-
ganizations.
Perishable goods must be canned,
releasing storable goods for export.
Steps will be taken to lower the
price of Canadian fish to inland con-
sumers, and to bring down the price
Committee of experts is being
named to co-operate with Food Con-
troller.
ENEMY RAIDERS
BROUGHT DOWN
A despatch from London says :—
Two of a squadron of fourteen ma-
chines that took part in an air raid
on Harwich were brought down ablaze
by British naval aircraft and a third
machine was damaged, it is officially
announced.
All the British airmen who engaged
the Germans emerged safely from
their fights.
BRITISH CONTINGENT
FROM U. S. IN ENGLAND
A despatch from Loudon says:—A
contingent of 108 British residents of
the United States who have just ar-
rived in Great Britain to join the
British army, was reviewed by Gen-
eral _Sir Francis Lloyd on the Horse
Guards' parade on Friday morning.
If you don't believe in yourself no-
body else will. .
HUNS IN AFRICA
SUFFER DEFEAT
All
Fields of Operation in Ger-
man East Africa are
Evacuated.
A. despatch from London says:—
Under the pressure of British forces
advancing from Gilwa, the Germans
in German East Africa have evacuated
strongly held positions south of the
Ngaura River, says an official state-
ment issued on Wednesday night. The
positions extended from Gimamba a land of plenty. Climate, soil, and,
Hill, on the shorn of Beaver Hafen, to
Makangaga, and the Germans retired' ajbove all, the system of canals by
a distance of from seven to nine miles. 'which from time immemorial It was
irrigated, made it abnormally produc.
tive, Herodotas, fearing that his ac-
count would be deemed fabulous if he
entered into particulars, contented
himself with saying that millet and
sesame there grew to the size of trees.
Other accounts tell of wheat leaves
and barley leaves four inches broad,
and that in good years the land yield-
ed in corn 300 times the amount it
received as seed,
The gold discoveries of 1851 produc-
ed exciting and progressive times.
'When the "rush" started in 1852 im-
migrants from North America, China
and Europe poured into Melbourne off
the ships at the rate of 2000 persons
a week. The population of Victoria
was doubled in a year.
The Commonwealth consists of six
States, called the Original States of
New South Wales, Victoria, Queens-
land, South Australia, Western Aus-
tralia and Tasmania. Three is a
Senate and a House, with six Senators
from each State, renewed to the extent
of one-half every three years. The
House is elected on the proportional
basis of population. Women vote.
Mesopotamia a Corn Land,
The promise that Mesopotamia shall
produce corn for us in abundance
ought to be fulfilled, for of old it was
The official report indicates a gen-
eral retirement of the enemy forces in
other fields of operations in German
East Africa.
ENEMY ATTACK IN CHAMPAGNE
REPULSED BY FRENCH TROOPS
Crown Prince Suffers Heavy Losses—All German Attacks Re-
pulsed by Gen. Petain.
A despatch from Paris says:—After
checking the latest effort of the Ger-
man Crown Prince in Champagne, the
French took the offensive and succeed-
ed in straightening out their line in
the region of Mont Haut and Mont
Carnillet. Gen, Petain's men held to
their gains, despite four strong at-
tacks hurled against them, and which
they repulsed with heavy loss.
Switching his attack from the opera-
tions on the front north of the Aisne
did not help the Crown Prince, as his
effort in Champagne, west of Mont
Carnillet and south-east of Tahure
failed, as did his recent heavy attacks
north of the Chemin-des-Dames,
Gen. Petain responded to the Ger-
man effort by attempting and succeed-
ing in reducing salients in his line to
the east of the scene of the Teuton at-
tack, The French not only captured
prisoners, but beat off counter -at-
tacks, showing that the Germans at-
tached importance to the French
gains.
BRITISH TAKE 117,776 PRISONERS
AND 739 FIELD GUNS
Figures For .All Theatres of War Since the Outbreak—Not a
Single Gun Lost on French Front in Two Years.
'A despatch from London says;
Figures given on Thursday by Gen.
Maurice, Director of British Military
Operations, form a basis of some illu-
minating comparisons. In the whole
theatre of war since the outbreak the
British have taken 739 German field
guns and dost 183, of which thirty-
seven have been recaptured, These
thirty-seven are not included in the
figure 739, making the total British
losses 96 in guns, as against 739
taken from the Germans. Of those
ninety-six, eighty-four were lost on
the western front in the first few
months of the war, not one gun hav-
ing been lost since April, 1915. Since
April first of this year British and
French together on the western front
captured 509 field and heavy guns,
503 trench mortars, 1,318 machine
guns, and 63,222 mon. In ail fields
of war the British have taken 117,776
prisoners, among whom native levies
captured in Africa are not included,
Prisoners captured by Germans from
British forces number 51,088, these.
including Indian and native troops.
What's a Necktie Good For?
Man's only non -utilitarian garment
is the necktie. It's as useless as a
monocle. Yet we wear it. We'd feel
awfully awkward walking down the
street without one.
Once upon a time the necktie was
used to fasten the collar on, But now
it doesn't do that.
Man's necktie is the Indian's eagle
feather, the cannibal's necklace of
teeth, the mid -African's ivory ear-
rings • Its' his pride, on which he
bestows much thought, great care.
We wonder what would happen to the
vanity of the human race, masculine
half, in case of a necktie famine.
In City Streets,
"Do you cycle?" asked the insur-
gent.
"No," replied the applicant for a
panolicy,
"Ever race in a motor boat?"'
"Non
"Drive much in an automobile?"
"Never."
"Ever go up in an airship?"
"Never want to."
"Sorry we can't insure you. There's
too much risk insuring mere pedes-
trians.'
BRITISH MINESWEEPER
LOST IN MEDITERRANEAN
A despatch from London says:—A
British mine -sweeper struck a mine
and sank in the Mediterranean Sea on
Wednesday with the probable loss of
ten members of her crew, says an of-,
ficial announcement issued oft Friday
night.