"ECHO" THOUGHTS ON THE WAR

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 September 1914, Page 4

"ECHO" THOUGHTS ON THE WAR

As Germany has raised hell in Europe, without mincing matters or what we mean, let the Britishers give the enemies \>f peace much of their own hell-fire by razing them to the ground, there to rot for evermore, though in our deep-souled sorrow we must sympathise with the Kaiser's millions and their poor wives and orphans, who had no say in the madness cf the would-be great almighty of Eurapean powers. Brave bays are they, Gone at their country's call. And yet and yet how soon we forget That many brave boys must fall. (By the hundreds of thousands; aye, perhaps, millions ! Who can tell ?) Will it not be said of Britain and our own dear boys, that, not satisfiod with the huge territories already possessed, they must needs go and take some-moa or Samoa ? Some of our dailies are too boastful and jingoistic to please most people. It is too early to crow over a few victories, and we' must always be ready for a dreaded aftermath. As for Samoa, the ECHO wouldn't give much yet for the changes of keeping it. Why didn't England keep it when she could ? No, she pandered to Germany at one time. How wretchedly jealous our detained Territorials must feel because they are not amongst the lucky ones now enjoying the beautiful and salubrious climate of Samoa, and the society of the dusky .ladies. But we sympathise with them . Sa-more men are required though, as the Germans may at any time (there is a chance) send a fleet along—they could easily land a couple of thousand men with big cannon, etc., when whoop ! Some people think they know all about Samoa, but they don't. Let us freshenup. Navigator's or Samoa Islands, a group in the Pacific, lying on cash side of the 14th par, of S, lat. between 169° and 173* W. The two western and largest islands, Savaii and Upotu, are each upwards of 40 miles in length; the former rises to an altitude of 6000 ft, the latter to 2000 ft in the volcano of Tafua. The other isles in the group are Tuituila and Mavu. They are all exceedingly fertile and enjoy a mild, moist climate, but hurricans and earthquakes are experienced. The natives resemble those of the Friendly Islands, though somewhat darker. Several large German trading houses are established, and the c'lief exports are copra, cotton, pearl-shell, and guano. The port of Apia on Upoti was visited by 100 ships in 1875, Area of the group is 1162 square miles, and the population about 40,000.