THE PITY OF IT

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 February 1915, Page 4

THE PITY OF IT

Mr Herbert Oorey, acting as epeeia] was correspondent of the NW York "Evening Globe," describes some of t'be social amenitiee that exist ttetween the British ard German trenches when they are close enough for communications. He tells us that a daily dinner armistice is agreed upon between the men, and that the trenches are then emptied of their occupants, who exchange greetings and badinage. The evenings are often spent-in nuitunl entertainment by means of music, the Germans pro viding the melody, and the Uritish thy applause. The Germans are said, to sing "Tipperary" much better than thoit enemioe, and they sing ft by request. Sometimes the Gorman band

parades in full view ibotween the trenches and is always willing to oblige with any particular melody, the British songsters displaying a similar eotn pli.tnco. Frequently tlio men exchange rations, tlip Germans being very tirerl of paueages and the British being equally "wearied of tinned beef. A four-pound sausage for three tins of hoof is the usual rate of exchange. The big guns and the rifles usually cease work with duek, it being too dark to aim, and then the concerts begin. There has been no record of any although sometimes a shell from 'a distant battery may break in abruptly.