THE GERMANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 3

THE GERMANS

WHAT THEY ARE TAUGHT TO BELIEVE LETTER TO A GOVERNOR ~ J'An interesting letter has been, rw ceived by "the Governor of New South Wales from his brother, who is serving at the front . "Perhaps my most curious experience was to realise how perfect was the German system in succeeding to make all the German nation believe that black was white. The prisoners all thought that we, the Allies, started the ivar, but that victory would be theirs because they were winning all along the line. Even the Italians they said were running away everywhere before the Austrians. Fortunately I got hold of the last English paper, and the officer had to acknowledge that as far as tlio Italians were concerned they had been misinformed. As to the rest, ho stuck to his opinions, adding that Germany, oould continue, the war _ indefinitely,. and that we could not increase our numbers, because the refused to enlist and to fight. In vain I told him that wo had several first-rate Irish regiments in. oiir own division who are as bravo as lions. " Tho officer- hesi.tated to believe me. At last I told him, 'You don't understand the irony, of your present position. Do you know what troops are escorting you? It is the Loyal North Irish Horse, the very.

men who you foolishly thought would prevent tho Expeditionary Force from landing in France by causing a civil War." This stopped further slander of our brave Irish boys, whether north or south of Ireland. Though not an Irishman, my heart was sore for the lassc-a n few days before of two Irish regiments. Thov had both : been gassed.- ... and yet the 'Dubs' (Dublin Fusiliers) held out till evening, because it was found impossible either to support them or to call them back. Theonly surviving officer from the firing line, simply told me, 'I had no orders to rotire till nightfall.' Mcamvhilo in tho morning the Germans had taken one of their, trenches, and I do not caro to .repo-t tho stories that are current about v'tnt they did with those that fell into their hands.

"This last incident will, however, explain to you why, wVn some tho prisoners expressed surprise s.t being so well treated by us, after liav"ia been led to believe the contrary-W>£ wurse, to prevent their surrendering—l could not help telling them that should iltank God for having fallen into the hands of a regiment that, had not been gassed. The fact is that the attitude of our Tommies towards the enemy has changed since they have found out that international law is put aside by_ the enoiny. ■■ Some regiments now neither forget, nor forgive. ... "You will bo glad to know that wo have now discovered efficient respirators to cope with the poisonous gas. Even with the other respirators, most of tliem recovered, but it was a sad sight to see hundreds of men couching, half dazed like drunken men for liours. Those who had a weak heart or bad lungs suooumbed."