"In Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina," _The Express_ tells us,
"people are tired of the war, and a brisk trade is being done in the
sale of buttons to be worn by the purchaser, inscribed with the words
'_No me habla de la guerra_' ('Don't talk to me about the war')." The
KAISER, we understand, has now sent for one of these buttons.
* * *
The Crown Prince RUPPRECHT of Bavaria, in an order to his troops last
week, referred to the British in the following words:--"Here is the
enemy which chiefly blocks the way in the direction of restoration of
peace." Conceive a "contemptible little army" being able to do that! It
makes one wonder whether the first epithet was perhaps a misprint for
"contemptuous."
* * *
The Germans are now calling the Allies a Menagerie, though curiously
enough it is the others who have a Turkey waddling after them.
* * *
According to a report which reaches us the crews of the _Goeben_
and _Breslau_ are wearing a most curious garb, being clothed in Turkish
fezes and breaches of neutrality.
* * *
"GERMANS MOWED DOWN FRENCH MARINES' BIG FEET."
_Irish Independent._
This is really a most unfortunate misprint, for it is just this kind of
carping statement that leads the Germans to say we are falling out with
our Allies.
* * *
There is much speculation as to whether there is German blackmail behind
the announcement that the maximum period of quarantine for imported dogs
has been reduced from six months to four.
* * *
The only animals left alive in the Antwerp Zoo are reported to be the
elephants, which are now being used for military traction purposes.
Later on it is proposed by the Germans to drive them into the lines of
the Indian troops with a view to making the latter home-sick.
* * *
Mr. ALGERNON ASHTON asks in _The Evening News_, "Why is the Poet
Laureate so strangely silent?" Everyone else will remember Mr. BRIDGES'
patriotic lines at the beginning of the War, and we begin to suspect
that Mr. ASHTON'S well-known repugnance to writing for the papers has
been extended to the reading of them.
* * *
_The Daily Mirror_, to signalise its eleventh birthday, produced a
"Monster Number," yet it contained no portrait of the KAISER.
* * *
Happening to meet a music-hall acquaintance we asked him how he thought
the war was going, and he replied, "Oh, I think the managers will have
to give in."
* * *
America is evidently attempting to attract some of the devotees of
winter sports who usually go to Switzerland. Another landslide on the
Panama Canal is now announced.
* * *
We are sorry to have to bring a charge of lack of gallantry against _The
Leicester Mail_. We refer to the following passage in its description of
an ovation given to Driver OSBORNE, V.C., at Derby on the 31st ult.
After describing how, in the course of a great reception given to him by
a large crowd at the station, two or three buxom matrons insisted upon
embracing him, our contemporary continues: "Driver Osborne has now
practically recovered, and reports himself for duty again at the end of
this week."
* * *
The municipality of Berlin has decided to substitute for the existing
designations of some of the principal streets in that city the names of
"German generals who have become famous during the present war." This,
however, will not involve many alterations.
* * *
Orders have been issued by the Federal Council of the German Empire that
no bread other than that containing from 5 to 20 per cent. of potato
flour will be allowed to be baked. Such bread is to be sold under the
name of "K" bread. At first this was taken to be a graceful tribute to
Lord KITCHENER, but it is now officially stated that "K" stands for the
German for potatoes.
* * *
The _Kölnische Zeitung_ complains that English prisoners in Germany "are
allowed to lead the lives of Olympian Gods." Our choleric contemporary
is evidently unaware that we are allowing German prisoners to reside in
Olympia, which is the next best thing to Olympus.
* * *
The British steamer _Remuera_ reported on reaching Plymouth last week
that a German cruiser had attempted to trap her by means of a false
S.O.S. signal. We ought not, we suppose, to be surprised at a low trick
like this from the s.o.s.sidges.
* * *
There is one quality that no one can with justice deny to the Germans,
and that is thoroughness. The other day, having laid a mine, they seem
to have used one of their own cruisers to test its destructive power.
* * *
"It is noticeable," says _The Daily Mail_, "that the Kaiser's speeches
no longer include references to God, only Frederick the Great." This
confirms the rumours of a quarrel.
* * * * *
Illustration: THE AIRSHIP MENACE.
* * * * *