THE HUNTLY PRESS. PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1915. Asphyxiating Gases.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 30 April 1915, Page 2

THE HUNTLY PRESS. PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1915. Asphyxiating Gases.

THE use of asphyxiating gases by the Germans is, in itself, a clear acknowledgement that the Kaiser’s plans for the overthrow of European civilisation, have utterly miscarried. With millions of thoroughly trained men, with vast stores of ammunition, with countless machine guns, with wonderful artillery, with Zeppelins, and aeroplanes, with an elaborate scheme of organisation and attack, he swept down upon a foe totally unprepared for war.

According to Lis plans, Christmas was to have been celebrated in Berlin by a victorious arm} that had subdued Russia and overwhelmed France. Instead of enjoying such a triumph, the Kaiser has had to keep his enormous army in the field for four months longer than he had anticipated and the end is not yet in sight. His reserves of men appear to have been all called up; his supply of munitions cannot be replenished; and, worst of all, his food supplies aie running low. On the other hand the allies have made good all their deficiency in warlike shores and their resources are unlimited ; they have trained vast armies of men and these are providing their superiority over their foes. The German offensive on land has been broken and their attack on sea has failed to materialise. The prospect, bad enough in itself now, is made all the darker, by the fact that Italy, Greece, Roumania and Bulgaria are preparing to throw in their lot with the allies.

Destruction appears to be the force that is controlling the counsels of the Kaiser. Prodigal supplies of men and artillery are being concentrated at one point in the hope of breaking through the British lines and taking possession of Calais. Once there and anything might happen. In order to accomplish this design, the Kaiser, havingtailed to gain the favour ot Hea.ven, has sought for that of Hell and is employing the most fiendish devices that ever entered the mind of man. To the horrors of Belgium, Poland and Servia and to the horrors of submarine attacks upon defenceless merchantmen, is added this last and most diabolical horror. That flesh and blood should stand undaunted before it all, passes our understanding. That our men should strictly adhere to the terms of honourable warfare and avoid reprisals excites our wonder, our admiration, and our pride. The enemy has confessed its failure to win an honourably fought out war. To complete his discomforture will require great sacrifices and all parts of the Empire will need to recognise this, and every man be prepared to do his uttermost. Victory will be costly; delay will make the price frightful to contemplate, but ’twere bettor that every Britisher should perish than be conquered by such a frightful’lfoe. (Contributed).