THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, JAN, 27, 1916 VERY CONFLICTING

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 27 January 1916, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, JAN, 27, 1916 VERY CONFLICTING

AND NOT CONVINCING

SOMETIMES the cableman doles out some leal good stuffing, at other times some real, stupid nonsense, and at all times hard to believe. Upon a recent date the cables stated that in opening the Prussian Diet, on behalf of the Kaiser, Dr. yon Beth man n Hollweg, President of the Council of Ministers, said : —"Sanguinary fighting continues. Our enemies who forced war on us, are responsible. The European peoples are still tearing themselves to pieces. Providence is placing an iron test upon our people. Our enemies' project of wearing us down and cutting us off from overseas has failed. The achievements of the German armies are indescribable in magnitude and heroism. With our allies we have held the ground against a world of enemies, and carried our colours far into enemy territory. The old Prussian military spirit, of which we are proud, has proved inextinguishable and vital, adding immortal glory to the heroism of our forefathers. We face the future full of confidence. God and victory are our single holy thought."

How anyone can swallow such a pill that Britain forced" war on the Germans, it is not possible to say. This gag, for it is nothing else, and meant as a blind, is ever dangled by the Kaiser and his minions before the world, which, however, knows full well every incident in connection with the commencement of hostilities, and Germany's forty years' preparations, even to having bogus factories in England and other countries with strong concrete and stone foundations for the mounting of big guns, etc. Bah! the point is not worth noticing, yet one must contradict_ However, little Providence is' troubling about the iron tes upon the German peoples, who are getting mowed down much against their inclination. While it is pure blasphemy to appeal to God and victory, as a "holy thought." The German nation has to be kept in harness, or what would become of the Kaiser? All the "holy gas " pleases their rulers and doesn't hurt the

allies

But, after' all, the "inner circles " are moving quietly all the time —all the time. Various accounts are reaching London and Paris of peace posters, bills and circulars being posted in the streets of Berlin, and slipped under the doors of houses at night. Secret meetings are also held, and the anti-militarist cause is spreading. Fifteen thousand persons attended one meeting, despite the police, and the Crown Prince is frequently insulted. Who is to say that before the war is ended there will not be a revolution in Germany. The masses are tired of fighting and starving, and well they might be. We out here have not the slightest conception of how bad things are with them, and the censor takes good care not to let us know.

And now the Kaiser is in a bad way, and no doubt millions wish him dead. His coming birthday is on the 27th inst., and he asks his people to dispense with their festivities (?) and offer a loyal prayer. And further says (once

more): " War was forced on us by our enemies' envy and hatred. May God accept our heavy sacrifices, joyfully offered on the altar of the Fatherland." —What a fearful liar the Kaiser must be, and still he expects God to take care of him! The wholesale murderer !