WHAT WAR REALLY MEANS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3000, 10 February 1917, Page 10

WHAT WAR REALLY MEANS

"AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE DO NOT REALISE IT." ' Buridaberg, January 12. Mrs. IV. Fielding, East Bundaberg, lias just received, the following letter from her soil, Sergeant . W. Fielding, from somewhere in France: "The"news of the failure of tlio conscription referendum lias just reached us, and surprise, regret, and indignation are the sentiments expressed on every hand by Tommies, Jocks, and Canadians, as w.ell .as by Australians. It . seems so hard to understand that the Australian public (our countrymen and women) refuse to seiid those 'deep thinkers' who have stayed safely at home whilst wo have been facing hardships and dangers innumerable, and in some measure at least preserving them from invasion and its resulting horrors. To my mind ■ it seems to set down as so much hypocrisy the Australian public's, avowed loyaiSv and p.iiriotism,- and : those of us who have paid the prico of patriotio fervour in Gallipoli and Franco appear to have done so in vain, and seemingly without the approval of our - countrymen. ..It does not leave us mueli to fight for, as we shall continue to do until .reinforcements no longer reach us, I suppose. The crux of the whole matter lies in the fact that Australian people do not realise what war really means, and no amount of talking or description will ever mako them realise h. .1! wonder would opinion change were a few shells fired or bombs dropped on Australian cities, or a few barbarities as practised by the Huns during,. their. ...invasion.. 3 of l .F.ran'ce, Belgium,'and Serbia? -Ltell, .you, mother, as I would 'tell' any' one," that I have seen what you people only read of and set down as exaggeration. I found a lad in the. town of , Armentieres, where "we were billeted for soma: time—a lad of ten years of age. with both: his hands cut off at the wrists—sport", for German soldiery! Another lad of about tlio same ago had his tongue cut out, becausOj, ho - said something; uncomplimentary to; a Huti soldier. Again, a. woman (one, of many such). showed us without shame the scars, .aarcely healed,, where her breasts- had been hacked pff byi these butchers of women and children!. There are other- horrors which I have been told of, but which I cannot for convention's sake set down in this letter. I wonder if Australian people realise that there is still a danger of these same crimes being committed in their own fair land? We have not won this war by a long chalk yet, let the Press be as optimistic as ■it can. ■ .No one realises better than :we r'who' jare facing him that the dog (the Hun) still has a lot of kick in him, that-the snake is far from being Wo shall want all'the help we can get."

Mr. G. H. Reynolds lias been confirmed in his appointment as ranger and registrar of dogs to the Makara County Council. v. ■ The Tramways Military Band will play at Lyall Bay at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. ' : .DOCTORS SAY flies cairv the germs of INFANTILE PARALYSIS. FLI-TCEELO kills flies, therefore FLI-KEELO prevents INFANTILE PARALYSIS. Obtainable from all Chemists and Storekeepers.—Advt. Barracloiigh's Progandra cures.. Corns quickly.—Advt. 1 The municipal electors' roll will close on February .15.. . Messrs. Williams and ICettle, Ltd., have been ' instructed by Mr. Sydney Johnston t.o auction 6200 Romney ewes and rams litTakapau on February 21. About 1200 stud and purebred Romney' Marsh- and Border Leicester rams, ewes, mid lambs, tlio .property of Messrs. GILBEY'S DRY GIN. Doctors recommend and Drink it. Beware of Imitations. . -Messrs.. George Thomas and Co. will sell by auction about «vJIOOO of grocery stock at their mart on Wednesday, February 11. A leasehold property of 1107 acres situated up-the Wangami River, is advertised for sale by Messrs. Dalgety and Co. "To be safe, never feel sire."—Proverb, Always be ready. to...repel, ; coughs and colds bv keeping Baxter's Lung Preserver handy. An occasional dose is health insurance. Largo bottles, Is. 10d—Advt.