Austro-German Peculiarities.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 14 January 1916, Page 3

Austro-German Peculiarities.

The protests made by the Central powers from time to time against alleged barbarities by the Allies, would be amusing if the surroundings were not so tragic. From time to time, they make protest against the use of certain deadly weapons whose only fault seems to be that they deal out death to the Germans in a way which the German arms seem unable to combat.

Then they object to the sinking of submarines, and say that such acts are barbarous.

Especially they refer to the sinking of the submarine which torpedoed the Arabic, and say that the action of the Barralong in sinking their submarine and shooting the crew, some of them in the water, was worthy only of savages. They neglect altogether, the fact that the crew of the submarine had already performed far more savage acts in murdering women and children on the Arabic at the very time of being sunk by the Barralong, were engaged in firing on the crew of another vessel as they took to the lifeboats.

The Austrians also, very gravely inform the British Govei nmenment that they will be held responsible for the well-being of certain Austrian subjects wh > are being sent by the British from India to Austria, ignoring the fact, that practically the only danger to which these Austrians will be exposed, is that of being drowned or shot through the action of an Austrian submarine or mine.

What a difference the point of view makes. ■ When any of these barbarities are committed by the Central Powers on the Allies, they are termed splendid victories and heroic feats, but when the case is reversed, or as nearly reversed a British love for fair play will allow, there is no language to describe the awfulness of the deeds.