Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 12, 3 April - 30 April 1916, Part 7

Page 480.
up the Danubo in barges and is conveyed direct to N.W.Germany
by the LUDWIG- DANUBE - MAIN Canal. River barges have been
collected from every part of Germany and this Canal, which in
peace time was of but local importance, for the NURNBERG -
BAMBERG traffic, is now used to relievo the railways, and its
present traffic is tremendous. In order to keep on good terms
with ROUMANIA, GERMANY has granted special concessions in
supplying necessary metals and manufactured goods; the German
Minister has promised that in proportion to the grain exported
his Government will allow the import to ROUMANIA of German
Manufactures. Thirty locomotives, to quote but one instance,
are to be delivered this month.
The Roumanian Customs’ Officials at GIORGIO on the DANUBE
have discovered that barrels supposed to contain sugar from Germany, consigned
to Turkey, contained large calibre howitzer shells,
Since the Roumanian Government have suspended all transit
of war material, these shells have been confiscated.
It should be remembered that Roumania is at present entirely
cut off from all communication with the Entente Powers except
Russia, and when the large calls on rolling stock and the congestion
at the only open ports of ARCHANGEL and VLADIVOSTOCK (the former
being only just free of ice) are considered the difficulties of the Roumanian
Ministry in maintaining the trade of the country may be appreciated.
It is hardly possible to expect that ROUMANIA should not continue
to trade with the Central Powers, and in her favour it should be
remembered that more than once she has incurred the anger of
Germany by refusing to deliver foodstuffs. The purchase by the
British Government of last year's harvest was very popular in
ROUMANIA, and prevented far more grain going to Germany than now
is the case.
The Allied Powers intend to declare the whole of the Eastern
Mediterranean a war zone for all shipping. Neutral ships must
 

Page 481.
therefore submit to search and examination by Alliod war ships
and mails will be removed for examination. It has been repeatedly
found that the Germans use the post as a medium for obtaining
material such as rubber etc: and it is to make the blockade more
effective that these the precautionary steps are to be taken. Private
correspondence will be forwarded as soon as possible to its destination,
but all parcels will be retained for examination.
Some interesting facts have come to light regarding the recent
military action of the Netherland's Government at the end of March.
The Dutch Press has been full of articles on the subject, and it
appears to be clearly established that the underlying causes were
inspired by POTSDAM. The German Emperor is said to have also
sent a lotter to the Queen of Holland, in which he said that his
Staff had reason to believe that a general Allied offensive had been
decided upon at the Paris Conference, and that the plan involved
the infringement of Dutch Territory. The letter went on to
point out that it did not appear that the Dutch fully appreciated
the danger and imminence of the situation as no extra military
precautions had been taken. Since the position of Holland was
of such supreme importance to the German Army it would be necessary
for the German Staff to take action in order to secure the safety
of their lines of communication: the German Government therefore
desired that either the Netherlands Government should act promptly
or else German Troops would be forced to adopt the necessary
precautionary measures.
On receiving this and similar communications the Dutch
Ministry at once recalled officers and men from leave and brought
up the units on the Coast Defence Duty to full strength. Ammunition
and transport was moved, and everything pointed to the Dutch
Government being prepared to meet any eventuality.
The German Agents took advantage of all this movement and
excitement to spread reports that Great Britain on behalf of the Allies
 

Page 482.
 

has presented Holland with an ultimatum demanding the disembarkation
and passage of troops from the ports to the frontier.

It is interesting to learn that the German Consulate General

at AMSTERDAM to assist in the work of publishing false information 
used the telephone to the large hotels giving the

information to all the hall porters. It was therefore soon

made common property and believed to be the view hold by the 

Netherlands Government.

The British Ministor was consulted by the Prime Minister

and was able to assure him that there was nothing decided by

the Allies in Paris that in any way concerned the position

of Holland. The whole incident is interesting as showing

that the Germans have every intention, should the need arise,

of using Dutch territory on the plea that otherwise the Allies

will be able to threaten their flank and roar; and it is also

proof of how strong is the influence that Germany still has

over neutral countries.

In Germany the Press by a series of inspired articles

is endeavouring to prove how great will be the advantages

to Japan should she now desert the Allies and join Germany.

Thereby it is pointed out she will be able to rely with certainty

on obtaining that increase of territory in Australasia andAsia

that she so much desires for her surplus population.  Thero

is some reason to believe that the Gorman Government have made

several attempts to approach the Japanese Government with

curtain definite proposals.

Germany continues to obtain mining concessions in Turkey

and Bulgaria. Chrome is very important to Germany and KRUPP

has brought two chromium mines and rented two others in Turkey,

and in the vilayot of AIDIN alone 90 mining concussions of all

kinds have been obtained, and 70 concessions in silver lead have
been granted. In Bulgaria the rights to mine over the rich

mineral districts of PERNIK and BOBOV DOL have bon secured by

 

Page 483.
the German Government. Operations are to be begun after the war

and with the object of preventing Allied capital in Roumanian

or Russian mines having the monopoly.

 

2. SITUATION IN IRELAND.
Ther German wireless of the 26th gave particulars of the outbreak
of considerable disorder in Dublin and its neighbourhood. It now
appears to be in fact true that the SINN FEIN Organization on the
24th April appeared in a large armed body at STEPHENS GREEN and
seized the Post Office cutting all telegraphic and telephonic
communication. On the first alarm troops wero ordered up from the
CURRAGH to reinforce the Dublin Garrison. In the meantime the
armed mob had occupied the principal thoroughfares and the quays and
until 7 pm. were in occupation of four or five districts of the city.
Later in the evening with the arrival of troops the situation was
again well in hand, but not until considerable alarm had been caused
to the inhabitants and some fighting had taken place.
The capture of the notorious SIR ROGER CASEMENT, and two German
officers (on the very day when the disturbances broke out) whilst
boing landed off the Irish Coast from a disguised German Auxiliary
cruiser has probably robbed the rebellion of all direction. The
cruiser was [[?]] blown up by her crew after capture and the papers
and documents she probably carried, besides arms and munitions, aro
unfortunately lost.
From the Intelligence so far received there is no reason to
believe that disturbances on any scale have taken place outside the
Dublin area. In the House of Commons the Chief Secretary for
Ireland said that the full casualties had not been received, but the
authorities considered that the situation was well in hand.
The German wireless is using the facts to cause alarm both in
Alliod & Neutral countries. Inspired articles have already appeared
in the Dutch and Italian papers which show clearly that this rebellion
 

Page 484.
has been organized in Germany to co-incide with the approach of
the spring when an Alliod offensive was to be expected, and also
relied to find in Ireland (excused from the Military Service
Act) many men of military age who could be used to further the
designs of the enemy.

[cross handwrittem in R margin]
******************
 

With Arthur's letter of Apl 28/16
Do you suppose?
that it would really "hold" the attention of your guests at your
home or your friends at your club or school, if a very well known
New Yorker, a London college man and president of a brainy little
club, should reproduce for their amusement and profit a series of
mentally belittling "psychic demonstrations" which he learned while
investigating both genuine and "fake" protessional psychics for various
progressive newspapers?
If it happened
that it could also be shown that this at least worth-while performance
had already been most successfully given at over a hundred ultra
particular clubs, at many of the most exclusive homes in New York;
at some eighty leading universities and schools; and at practically
every noted cottage colony and resort from Maine to Florida; (See
last page) not only upon one occasion, but in some cases annually for
the last eight years, would you feel justified in taking that awful chance
with an entertainment not personally known to you, upon the strength
of this overwhelming, remarkably, general tribute to its actual popularity
in hard-to-reach circles.
Again if it also happened
that running through the many weird demonstrations of Spirit Writing(?)
(Answering questions actually put by your guests upon a paper sealed
in a bottle), Slate writing (?) (Producing mottoes suggested by those
present upon hidden slates), Answering Sealed Questions (When sealed
in any envelope) etc, there were rapid fire explanations of Telling
Names (?) Reading Numbers of Watches (?) How the Woman Floats
in Air by Hypnotism (?) and other mysteries, do you think your
brighter associates could be bored?
 

And if so
do you not think their interest would be aroused if a really prominent
practical psychologist while exposing fakery gave them three very
sensible five minute lecturettes upon the Reading of Character from
Handwriting, Hands and Faces giving sound reasons for his conclusions
by having them follow his points from their own hands and handwriting
before publicly reading any volunteers among the party.
And don't you think
that like the thousand grateful audiences whose past enthusiasm is upon
public record, your organization would be delighted with the semi-cynical
epigrammatical, yet entirely constructive stories upon foolish belief in
such superstitions as "ill luck", "trivial ill health" "mental old age"
"unerring heredity" given in this pithy witty talk upon the development
of Personal Magnetism as a means to gaining one's desires and
allowing one's mind to be as big as it actually is.
If you approve
of this raid upon psychic fakery under such attractive conditions, please
read carefully the accompanying literature which comes to you by
personal recommendation, for Mr. Arthur Delroy is fortunately able
to be as particular as to where he goes, as you are about whom you
engage.
Probably like you
Mr. Delroy is very busy, so busy that he must regretfully neglect
many kind suggestions for his educative talks and rely upon interesting
those who are sufficiently experienced in choosing entertainments to
recognize the active factors of his success:— the actual pleasure it gives
to have mentally degrading "psychic mysteries" so clearly explained;
the personal gain in the information concerning the reading of character;
and the general up-lift given by his optimistic talk.
 

And also in addition
Mr. Delroy does not attempt to hold his audiences by tricks so like
others you have seen that they seem hackneyed; nor to amuse you
with excerpts from some book not even of international fame; nor to
sing to you without the voice of a Caruso.
He has for ten years studied the science of entertaining from the
educated angle, with the thorough understanding that nothing but new
thoughts, new stories every second of the time plentifully punctuated
with sallies of upper-grade humor will hold the class of people with
whom he has become familiar by close association.
So in conclusion
if your guests are of the over-entertained difficult-to-please type, you
cannot fail to hold them with this peculiar entertainment.
Some Opinions
The Right Hon. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D.,

L.L.D., Bishop of Central Pa.

"In these days of fakes and humbugs, 

it is most refreshing to meet a gentle-man
 who, like Mr. Delroy, has the

ability and courage to expose so many

of the popular impositions that deceive

the people."

The Late Hon. Albert K. Smiley, Lake 
Mohonk.

 "I think that Mr. Delroy is doing a 

good work in exposing that which by a 

large class is thought to be super-natural."

President Hadley, Yale University, 
New Haven.

 "If any opportunity should come up I

shall take great pleasure in bearing

your lecture in mind,"

Mr. Geo. M Morris, President Dart-mouth Debating Union. 

"You held for over two hours nearly

a thousand people."

N. Y. Times.

"Delroy an acknowledged feature at

the Fair."

The N. Y. World.

"Nothing like the Delroy Melange has

ever been seen in N. Y."

The N. Y. Journal.

"The brisk Delroy manner and speech

has fascinated N. Y."

The N. Y. Tribune.

"Too much cannot be said in favour

of Mr. Delroy's reading of character

from hand-writing and palmistry."
 

Some Successful Appearances
(Seventy Percent Return Dates)
PRIVATE FUNCTTONS

Mrs. C. B. Alexander

Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish

Mrs. J. B. F. Herreshoff

Mrs. Pulitzer

Mrs. Vanderbilt

Senator C. W. Watson

Senator Levy

Etc.

 

CLUBS

Union League (N. Y. C.)

Union League (N. J.)

University Clubs;

Brooklyn, Albany, Erie, Buffalo, etc,

Larchmont Yacht

Lambs

National Arts (N. Y. C.)

Transportation

Commonwealth

Saturn (Buffalo)

Edgeworth (Sewickley)

Alonquin (St. Louis)

Business Men's League

Fort Orange (Albany)

Contemporary (Trenton)

Huntingdon (Savannah)

Lake Placid (23 times)

California (S. F.)

Bohemian (S. F.)

Sedgely (Phila.)

Niagara

Nat. Press Club (D. C.)

Thames (New London)

Quinnipiack (New Haven)

Seaside (Bridgeport)

Glen Ridge

Etc.

 

CHURCH AFFAIRS.

St. Agnes (N. Y. C.)

St. George's (N. J.)

St. Paul's (Paterson)

Baptist Tabernacle (Tampa)

St. Luke's (S. F.)

Oakland Presbyterian (S. F.)

Etc.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Yale University
University of Virginia
University of Georgia
University of North Carolina
Stetson University
Furman University
West Point Military Academy
The Citadel, Charleston
Fort Grebble, Newport
Dartmouth
Vassar Institute

Converse College (S. C.)

Wofford College (S. C.)

Peace Inst. (Raleigh)

Randolph Macon (Va.)

Ward-Belmont (Nashville)

Ossining School for Girls

The Castle, Tarrytown

Greensboro College for Women

Bordentown Military Academy

Brenau College (Ga.)

Montclair Academy

Kingsley School, Essex Fells

St. Paul's, Garden City

The State Normal Schools at:

Milledgeville, Harrisonburg, Hyannis,

Athens, Etc.

 

RESORTS, SUMMER CAMPS

Bar Harbor

Newport

White Mountains

North Shore (Mass.)

Lake Placid

Lake Mohonk

Lake George

Palm Beach

Ormond

Augusta (Ga.)

Aiken

Kineo 

Etc.

 

SOCIETY FETES, ETC.

Actor's Fund Fair

Cosmovilla (Orange)

Flushing Circus

Junior League (N. Y. C.)

Englewood Hos. Fete

Etc.

 

For Terms & Dates apply to:-

J. B. POND LYCEUM BUREAU

Metropolitan Life Building

New York City

 

SECRET.
=======
INTELLLGENCE REPORT.NO.587. ISMAILIA. 28th APRLL 1916.

=====================================================
Source of INTELLIGENCE REMARKS.

======================================================
Agent Ismailia 28/4/16.

A trustworthy agent who left Ismailia for Nokhl on 24th
April reports:-
HUBR UM MUKHSHEIB 24TH. Captured by one patrol and taken
back to Daog in spite of his passes. Eventually released

and returned to Hubr Um Mukhsheib.

BIR EL GIDDI 25th.  No post. There are 10 wells but only 4

of them cleared of sand and rubbish. These give about 1,000

gallons of water daily.

WADI UM SEIALA 25th. Nothing. 

WADI EL BRUK 26th. Agent not a Lehsiwat Arab who told him,

that a force under Von Krese Pasha was advancing on the

Canal from Hassana via Bir el Giddi.

Agent returned to Bir el Giddi to see if this was true.

On the morning of 27th about one hour after dawn he

saw from a distance about 250 soldiers mounted on Camels,

near the wells. A small patrol from this force were

riding in the direction of Bir Towa1, the remainder were

saddling up. An Arab told him that they had arrivod the

night before (26th) and that they were commanded by Von 

Kross Pasha.

There were no horsemen with the party and agent could 

see no guns, but he did not dare approach close.

Agent made a detour through Gebels Mukhsheib and M

Makhassa to avoid being seen and returned as quick as he

could with the news.

====================

INTELLIGENCE Officer Kantara. 28/4/16. 
Agent who had been to Auja reports being there on the

19th., inst. While there he heard from Arabs that the

Turks were moving forward re-inforcements along the Northorn
road. The railway has now reached WADI EL ABIAD about

4 miles east of Auja. He thought there were about 1,500

troops there, mostly camel men.

There were no aeroplanes though he heard that there 

were 3 at Bir Saba. Agent was at Hassana on the 22nd.

Reports 2,000 troops there and many tents. There were large

quantities of stores. He roturned via Rodh Salem, where he

saw 6 guns under tarpaulins, and Maghara, thence avoiding

Bayud and Mageibra to Bir Jefeir and to our post at

Dueidar. From Arabs he heard that the Turkish force which

came up from the south consisted of 8,000 Egeil camelmen

(Moslem adventurers) with about 40 Turks.

All other troops had to come to Katia along the northern

road. Further reinforcements had reached Bir ol Abd but 

had turned round and gone back on Monday the 24th, on

meeting the retreating Turks. Arabs told him that the

Turks had suffered heavily especially from the bombs from

the aeroplanes. (Note this is not first hand knowledge. F.S.)

Agent reports a quantity of water now standing in

the Khabret in wadi Mukhsheib and that Turkish Officers had 

been down to measure the amount.

====================

per Major Dullant 28/4/16
(what he proposed to Col. Pope)
BRIGADE STAFF DUTIES
BRIGADE MAJOR                                               STAFF CAPTAIN                                              ORDERLY OFFICER
All matters affecting :-                                       Questions relating to :- 
Military Operations                                             Supply of military personnel
Disposal of fighting troops                               Interior economy.                                            Personal services.
and Machine Guns.                                                                                                                           B. H.Q. Administration
                                                                                  Spiritual welfare                  
Signing and issuing of all                                                                                                               Camp Commandant.
orders                                                                      Medical (Sanitation only)                              Censor.
Organisation and efficiency of                         Casualties
troops                                                                      Police measures
                                                                                  Prisoners of war, disposal
Operations                                                             of
                                                                                  Burying parties & places
General allotment of areas in                           Routine Garrison or Camp
which units or formations                                 orders
are to be quartered                                             Ceremonial
                                                                                  Routine Orders
Intercommunication in the                              Details of embarkation
field.                                                                         and landings

                                                                                  Details of routine in
Guides and interpreters                                     Camps & barracks
                                                                                  Transport
Intelligence                                                            Supplies
                                                                                   Ammunition, equipment
Provision, distribution and                                 clothing & stores of
revision of maps                                                    all kind
                                                                                   Postal services
Reports and despatches not of                        Accounts
an administrative nature                                    Canteens
                                                                                    All returns
Officers                                                                     Pay
                                                                                    Discipline
Military Law & Courts Martial                              Honnors &Rewards
                                                                                    Distribution in detail
Obtaining, collecting and                                    of quarters
compiling information                                         Remounts
                                                                                    Veterinary Services
Transmission of information to                           Registry
Div. H.Q. and to neighbouring 
troops.
Diary.