The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-01


 Petrosrad, February 27.-(Special )-The Grand Duchess Victoria. wife of Grand Duke Cyril, has been awarded the St. Georges medal Cor bravery in person. ally directing the removal of the wounded to hospital at Sochaczeff during the bombardment of Osowiec in September. for placing wounded on trains under fire of a hostile aeroplane In December and other services.
 The grand duchess was formerly the wife of Grand Duke Ernst Louis of Hesse from whom she was divorced in 1901. In 1905 she married Grand Duke Cyril, who is a cousin of the Car
 
 Kaiser. and what more likely that in his bluff English way he gave his guest infor- nation, some of which, at any rate was probably extremely useful.
 That the admiral himself later on thought he bad been internationally candid and informative with the Emperor is ev- idenced by the fact that almost directly after the war broke out he went to the admiralty to inform MT. Churchill of all he had told the Kaiser. A well known sporting peer who is also well known friend of the Emperor's has confessed to member of the cabinet with whom he is on terms of close friendship that he
 
 cation in speaking about certain affairs to the Emperor.
 Secured Valuable Information
 How much information the Kaiser real ly had from his friends or how much use has been made of it by the German mill itary and naval organizers is of course not known. but it is common gossip in the naval and military clubs that the Kaiser certainly had from his friends infrma- tion that has been turned to good account by the Germans.
 Two members of the Marlborough club have actually resigned, so unpleasant had the gossip about them in connection with their friendship with the Kaiser made their position in the club.
 The unfortunate thing for the Kaiser S friends is that in many instances there is Justification for the gossip that is being circulated about the information that the German Emperor had from them. Much of this gossip is untrue or exaggerated and distortation of facrs. but 1t is not without foundation and the Kaiser's form CT friends in England will soon become almost as great objects of popular sus- picion and aversion as have German res idents.
 Lord Tweedmouth felt this so much that he thought the wisest thing to do was to publish the private correspondence he bad had with the Kaiser in the 'Morn- ing Post" This was an effectual answer to the gossips who had asserted that Lord Tweedmouth had been much more indis- erect than he really had been. but not all the friends of the Kaiser would care to toloN Lord rweedmvuths example.
 Belgian Refugee Problem The finding of house accommodation for the Belgian refugees has given rise to Tptr vvh not entirely devoid Of a humorous as- pect A number of dukes and duchesses and other smart society psople who, at the outbreak of the war, offered their coun- try houses as hospitals offers declined by the authorities-came forward when the refugees began arriving in England and eagerly and generously offered to house some of the unhappy victims of German ruthlessness. l These offers were promptly accepted by 1 the official committee appointed to look after the Belgian refugees, 20 of whom l on their arrival in England were dis. patched to Rufford Abbey. the stately home of Lord Saville one of the wealth. ] lest and most exclusive of the titled land | ed aristocrats in Britain.
 l All the notice Lord Saville received ol | his con ing guests was a telegram at noor l to say that 20 of the Belgians would ar rive at his house that afternoon; but z man who had entertained sovereigns ant l their suites can very readily prepare t' | receive guests on so short notice ant | some of the best of the visitors apart ments were quickly got ready for th' coming Belgians who consisted of a mum Der of mechanics and their wives ant | children. Lord Saville had not been in formed of the social status of his visitors but being gentleman and sportsman he didn't evince the least surprise wheI he saw them; he welcomed them as cor l dially as he would have had they becl | of the rank he expected they would be. | The refugees themselves may have beer somewhat surprised at the splendor O their reception, but tsey had certainl, | no objection to 1t, and for s'ttle while at all events. are living in h Inner tha l makes some compensation for their pre- l vious sufferings.
 ! But the experiences of Lord saville ant one or two others somewhat dampenet the ardor of those who had expected, a1