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100 Years Ago | 18 October 1918

On this day a century ago, these were some of the news items The Statesman readers got to read about India and the world.

100 Years Ago | 18 October 1918

OCCASIONAL NOTE

Whether Prince Max of Baden remains in office for a longer or a shorter period he has already managed to shatter a daydream of the Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, the organ of the Foreign Office in Berlin. The Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, in an article published two or three months ago, devoted great attention to the Brest Litovsk treaty, with special reference to its effect upon German trade with Persia. The Berlin organ pointed out that the treaty granted free transit for German goods through Russian territory en route to Persia, and on this foundation it built up a magnificent superstructure, picturing German goods being despatched by the Trans-Caucasian Railway from Tiflis via Baku and Enzeli to Teheran. This railway, it added, could also open up a route for German goods to Turkestan and Afghanistan. They would be sent from Baku across the Caspian to Krasnovodsk and thence to Turkestan and Herat. This prospect was merely glanced at, but in any case, cheerfully added the Allgemeine Zeitung, “the free transit of German goods through Russian territory will certainly open up new markets for Germany.” And now Prince Max admits that the Brest Litovsk treaty must be regarded as another “scrap of paper,” so far as Germany is concerned!

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

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Owing to the influenza epidemic it is understood that the Director of Public Instruction has directed the closing of all schools for a period of ten days. With regard to the colleges the matter requires the sanction of the Senate, and it is understood that it will be considered by the Syndicate. It is understood that a proposal is also afoot to move the Chief Justice to close the High Court for a few days temporarily. It is stated that the Chief Justice has no power to grant more than two half holidays and two full holidays in addition to the authorised gazetted holidays. Mr. Justice Abdur Rahim is suffering from influenza and did not attend court, and Mr. Justice Coutts Trotter is also ill.

EXCHANGE POSITION IN COLOMBO

The Exchange Banks in Colombo have circularised their constituents to the effect that it is proposed as a tentative measure to discontinue the system of cross exchange contracts which has been in operation since February, 1917. The reason is that, the position in India having recently become considerably easier owing to the exchange banks there being able to obtain cover more readily for their sterling drafts for sterling purchases, it is now possible to revert locally to the former system of purchasing exporters’ sterling drafts without stipulating for cover. Freight and insurance, however, are still being paid by means of sterling drafts or telegraphic transfers as at present. Should the present conditions of the exchange market not be maintained, it may be necessary to re-establish the system of cross exchange contracts.

PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMANY

A debate in the House of Lords on the treatment of British prisoners of war in Germany evoked an outburst of strong feeling. Lord Newton on behalf of the Government said that the Government since the beginning of the war had kept a careful list relating to the conduct of all German prison commandants. This list contained the names of a large number of men against whom very much could be said. Lord Newton expressed the hope that when the day of reckoning came these would not be allowed to escape but would be held personally responsible and pay the penalty of their actions.

INDIAN REFORMS

Writing in the Pall Mall Gazette on Indian reforms Lord Islington, after assuming that certain changes will be made in the India Office and the constitution of the India Council, proceeds to say that he believes, for instance, that the Secretary of State in Council would prove a more effective confirming authority than the Government of India regarding matters pertaining to the development of trade and industry in India. Being in the financial centre of the world the Secretary of State can easily place himself in communication with those concerned in finance and trade who will be in a position to afford him expert advice. Thus India would have everything to gain and nothing to lose through the abolition of indirect methods.

GERMAN LOOTERS

A Havas correspondent on the Flanders front says that numerous German prisoners were found carrying property looted from Roulers and elsewhere. They declared that they had acted on the orders of their officers, of whom they named five. The latter had been taken prisoners in Roulers so they were arrested and handcuffed. They demanded to interview the corps commander but the latter refused to receive them, saying he could have no relations with thieves. The arrested officers will be court-martialled. Everywhere before the Allied advance the Germans have removed civilians from the Belgian villages, which are then stripped bare.

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