100 YEARS AGO
Riots in Egypt
LONDON: Following upon the deportation of four Egyptian agitators to Malta on March 9, two of whom were exMinisters, riots broke out at Cairo on March 11, much damage and looting being done. The disturbances soon spread to the provinces and all the communications were cut, completely isolating Cairo on March 17, except the wireless stations. Serious attacks were made on the railway stations, trains, and British communities in some localities, resulting in terrible excesses, notably the murder of seven British officers in a train at Minia, the
commanderinchief taking active repressive measures. Demonstrations were forbidden, and the villages nearest any destroyed railway line will be burned. Punitive measures have already been partially reestablished to Port Said and Alexandria, but Upper Egypt is entirely cut off. Troops have been distributed throughout the provinces, and airmen have done great service.
Fooled by dummy tanks
The ‘‘Victory’’ despatch of Sir Douglas Haig describes how the Germans were terrified by British dummy tanks. ‘‘Since the opening of our offensive on August 8,’’ he writes, ‘‘tanks have been employed in every battle, and the importance of the part played by them in breaking the resistance of the German infantry can scarcely be exaggerated. The whole scheme of the attack of August 8 was dependent upon tanks, and ever since that date on numberless occasions the success of our infantry has been
powerfully assisted or confirmed by their timely arrival. So great has been the effect produced upon the German infantry by the appearance of British tanks that in more than one instance, when for various reasons real tanks were not available in sufficient numbers, valuable results have been obtained by the use of dummy tanks painted on frames of wood and canvas.’’
Royals and peers at war
Among those whose names are inscribed in the Roll of Honour of the slain in the war are one member of the Royal Family, 23 peers, 38 baronets, 14 knights, 14 M.P.’s, 151 sons of peers, 157 sons of baronets, and 277 sons of knights. The succession to 217 hereditary dignitaries has been changed, and the heirs to titles who have been killed number 179. Several peerages and baronetcies are threatened with extinction; others are still in doubt, as the holders or heirs are ‘‘missing’’.
Lady Liverpool’s visit
There was a very large gathering of members of the Otago Women’s Club at the rooms in Stuart street on Saturday afternoon on the occasion of an ‘‘at home’’ in honour of her Excellency, the Countess of Liverpool. Lady Liverpool was received by the members of the committee, and was presented with a beautiful bouquet of pink carnations and sweet peas by the gardening circle.
‘Medicinal’ whisky cargo
An Anzac who returned by the Hororata informed a Clutha Leader reporter that the transport brought out the largest cargo of whisky ever shipped to New Zealand. The boat was full of whisky and other alcohol, and 4000 cases had to be left behind. ‘‘But we are going to have prohibition in a few weeks,’’ said the reporter. ‘‘Oh,’’ replied the soldier, ‘‘we were told that it was coming out for ‘medicinal purposes’.’’ — ODT, 24.3.1919.