OCCASIONAL NOTE

A significant sign of the times in Germany is the article which Captain Persius has written in the Berliner Tageblatt. So far as can be recollected, this is the first time that a prominent German writer has been allowed to suggest that the German colonies are lost. It is only a few weeks since the notorious Count von Roon published his “Twelve Commandments of Pan- Germanism” – a preposterous catalogue of all the wild ideas that German truculence could imagine, in the course of which the return of the German colonies was curtly mentioned as though it were a subsidiary point and a mere matter of course. Now we find Captain Persius giving up all hope of Kiao-chau, the South Sea colonies or New Guinea; and suggesting in a new and chastened spirit that “the only hope seems to be that Britain may consent, on the conclusion of peace, to restore German possessions in Africa, especially German East Africa.” Between the attitude of Count von Roon and Captain Persius there is all the difference between imaginary German victory and conscious German defeat. The remarkable point is not that German publicists should think as Captain Persius does, but that the German Government should permit such views to be published. The “only hope” to which Captain Persius clings is a vain one. The question, as the German Government know perfectly well, will depend not on Great Britain’s consent merely but on the decision of the Allies in conference; and it is not in the least degree likely that the Huns will be permitted to resume their colonial policy.

MADRAS TRAGEDY

A shooting tragedy took place yesterday about 1 o’clock in the Fort, in which Private A. Burrows shot Sergeant MacDonogh through the head in his room in the barracks. Burrows succeeded in evading arrest and got out of the Fort, but Lance-Corporal Blackburn and Private Hyams pursued him. He turned in the rickshaw in which he was trying to escape and fired at the former, but fortunately missed him. He had got as far as the Evening Bazar near the Memorial Hall when Sub-Inspector Westwood met him and persuaded him to surrender and hand over his rifle. This he did, saying that he shot the sergeant in the Fort as the latter threatened to kill him. He was then taken to Flower Bazar police station and was subsequently handed over to the military authorities at Fort St. George. Mr. F. Armitage, Commissioner of Police, Dewan Bahadur P. Parankusum Naidu, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Captain L.E. Duffy, Officer Commanding Southern Brigade, made an official enquiry regarding the affair.

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD

At a meeting of 200 leading coalition Liberal peers and commoners Mr. Lloyd George outlined the policy of reconstruction and his attitude towards the League of Nations, the fiscal question, and Home Rule. The meeting unanimously pledged its support of Mr. Lloyd George and the Coalition Government during the reconstruction period. The Premier received a remarkable ovation. The Premier said victory must be utilised as an impetus to reform. A great housing programme was necessary. Hours of labour must be reduced, a minimum wage introduced, and production increased through the land reform. The Premier foreshadowed large developments of transport. He said there was value in the prevailing revolutionary spirit if it was wisely directed. It must be combated by national unity, co-operation, and sacrifice. He wanted a united Government representing all parties.

INDIAN WOMEN S RIGHTS

At the last meeting of the executive committee of the Ladies’ Home Rule League, Ahmedabad, the following resolutions, proposed by Ben Ansuyabai Sarabhai, were adopted:- The executive committee of the Ladies’ Home Rule League, Ahmedabad, resolves that a deputation should be sent to England to secure for the women of India the same rights with the men of India in the coming reforms, and that the committee should immediately put itself in correspondence with Mrs. Besant and Mrs. Naidu on the subject. That the Bombay Government should be requested to undertake legislation to amend the Bombay and District Municipal Acts, as also the Bombay Local Boards Act, so as to remove the disqualifications imposed on women of the presidency by those enactments.

THE P. & O. COMPANY

Presiding at a meeting of the P. and O. Company, Lord Incheape said that the liabilities amounted to pound 5,822,563 and included a considerable sum to meet the increased cost of building. The Company would as speedily as possible resume their position in the Eastern, Far Eastern and Australian trades, but with so many ships sunk it would be some time before they were able to offer the travelling public the convenience, comfort and regularity to which they had been accustomed before the war.