The statement which is made in one of the London dailies that the battle has ended without anybody knowing it simply implies that the scene of the struggle has been shifted to some extent - fortunately, as it seems, to the advantage of the Allies.
The war correspondents, who could necessarily learn at first hand of the progress of the fighting only at a very small portion of the front, and, with the very best intentions in the world, could not possibly form an opinion as to how the battle as a whole was progressing, have been ''gathered up'' in a most friendly way and prevented from unwittingly doing mischief by imparting information that might be of service to the enemy.
But the correspondents who get information at second hand are at large, and apparently it frequently serves the press censor's purpose to allow false information to get abroad because it cloaks actual movements.
Over and above all are the German emissaries, who, for the sake of pecuniary gain or from patriotic motives, purposely disseminate lying reports.
The chief consolation we have is the knowledge we possess that we learn almost as much about the real progress of events as do those who are much nearer the seat of war.
Moreover, the extreme secrecy observed in connection with the movements of British and dominion troops has prevented the Germans from learning even as much as we know ourselves.
We have the further satisfaction of knowing that we can implicitly trust our commanders, both of the land and sea forces.
Information of reverses is never withheld, as witness the account of the surrender of South African Mounted Rifles in Namaqualand and the unvarnished report of the sinking of three cruisers by German submarines.
Knowing that bad news is not withheld, we can possess our souls in peace when there is a lack of real news from the front in France, since the implication is that nothing decisive has occurred.
Meanwhile, realising the extent to which German influence is at work in Constantinople, we may expect periodic messages asserting the probability of Turkey joining with our enemies and recording the despatch of modern artillery under German officers to the Dardanelles at a time when the German army needs every powerful piece of ordnance to employ against the French and Russians.
The advice implied in the official bulletins is - ''Wait; be patient and confident.''
• An interesting history attaches to the bell at Tokomairiro Presbyterian Church, which celebrated the semi-jubilee on Sunday.
It was presented for the first church by Mr John Gillies, sen., but the vessel which brought it from the Home Country did not deliver it in Otago, and it was sent by mistake to another port and went Home again.
It was again sent out, and came to the right port but the vessel which brought it out (the Henbury), after entering the Heads, anchored about half-way up to Port Chalmers, and took fire there and was burnt and sunk.
The bell was recovered, but the cargo saved was sold, and Mr Gillies repurchased the bell.
It safely arrived in Tokomairiro, and did its duty in the two first churches, but when the third church was building, it was hung between three spars, and, ringing before service one Sunday it cracked, and had to be sent to Dunedin to be recast.
After this the bell was hung in the present spire and continues its sphere of usefulness. - ODT, 14.10.1914.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
