THE "DAY OF RECKONING"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 19, 17 October 1918, Page 6

THE "DAY OF RECKONING"

DISCOURAGED GERMANS. The following is an extract from a letter written by a New Zealander now engaged in war work in London:— "Yesterday I was called on by one of our soldiers (Rifle Brigade) who has been a prisoner of war m Germany tor 8i years, after losing an eye. and being otherwise wounded. His report ot the conditions in Germany was most encouraging. He says that the civilian population unquestionably look baitstarved, and that in Berlm most of the tf shops'are closed owing to lack of something to sell. He was offered 40 marks for a piece of soap, and Ai marks for a loaf of bread with some tinned'butter, which he refused to sell, Of course, as the money would have purchased anything worth having. He also told me of many cases of really [. brutal treatment that 1 need not dilate upon. . ' . , "One feature of it all is, however, satisfactory, namely, that the parcels for prisoners'are not interfered with, as tho orders to that effect are very strict, and the population is so cowed that they have even lost the 'spirit to steal food for'fear of punishment. Ho informed me that the only suits available for prisoners, are made of paperwoven material; but as our. prisoners get clothes sent them, they do not suffer in this respect. Bandages also are made of, papor, so that altogether xoe enemy is getting it in the neck, as he well deserves. The day of reckoning is coming at last, thank goodnesß. "Mr. Samuel Gompers, the Labour

leader of the United States, is paying England a visit at present, and adding to the excellent reputation he acquired in his own country. He was educated at the Jews' Free School. Spitalficlds, London. He has proved himself a very able, sane man, and a patriot. We have no Labour leader in England that holds any position comparable to his, or wields half his influence."