[Illustration:  COMPRESSED AIR FOR “PLUGGING” HOLED SHIPS:  AN INTERESTING NAVAL EXPERIMENT.]

This method of stopping the inrush of water was tested on the U.S. battle-ship “North Carolina.”  An American naval officer wrote:  “Its use will permit us to repair from inside all holes made beneath the water-line.  Strong pressure is exerted in the holed compartment; slighter pressure, graduated, in those adjacent (shaded darker).”—­[By Courtesy of “Popular Mechanics” Magazine, Chicago.]

_______________________________________________________

___________________
THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914—­[Part 21]—­15

[Illustration:  CHRISTMAS DAY ON BOARD SHIP IN THE NORTH SEA:  THE CAPTAIN GOING ROUND THE MESSES “TASTING THE MEN’S DINNER.”]

By time-honoured naval usage, on Christmas Day, after Divine Service, on board every ship, the officers, headed by the Captain, visit the men at dinner in their messes, which are always gay with seasonable decorations.  At the end of each table stands the cook of the mess, to offer the Captain samples of the dinner he has prepared.  These are tasted by the officers, and, with a hearty exchange of good wishes, the procession passes from table to table.  It is stated that the officers of the Grand Fleet collectively subscribed to provide Christmas dinners at home for the children of their men.  It is certain that friends at home provided Christmas fare for the crews in the North Sea.  Never was there a year when seasonable goodwill and seasonable good cheer were more desirable.—­[From a Drawing by S. Begg.]

_______________________________________________________

___________________
16—­THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914.—­[Part 21]

[Illustration:  BLINDFOLDED BY A SACK:  A SUSPECT BROUGHT THROUGH THE FRENCH LINES.]

Much has been heard of the plague of German spies at the front, and for excellent reason:  they have been as daring as they have been ubiquitous.  Here we see a suspect being brought through the French lines after having been found in a suspicious position near our Allies’ artillery.  He is blindfolded, by means of a sack placed over his head, so that he may gain no information en route.—­[Photo. by C.N.]

[Illustration:  SPORT AT THE FRONT:  BRITISH OFFICERS WITH A “BAG” OF PARTRIDGE AND HARE.]

The British officer, who is once more showing what a magnificent sportsman and fighter he is in the field, is not altogether neglecting sport as he knows it at home while he is at the front.  Already we have heard of hare and partridge shooting near the firing-line; and a pack of fox-hounds have joined the forces, for the benefit of the Battle Hunt Club.—­[Photo. by Photopress.]

_______________________________________________________

___________________
THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914—­[Part 21]—­17

[Illustration:  AT FRANCIS JOSEPH’S FEET FOR LESS THAN A FORTNIGHT:  BELGRADE (SINCE RETAKEN BY THE SERBIANS) ENTERED BY THE AUSTRIANS.]