DOWN WITH THE KAISER!

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 9 March 1916, Page 2

DOWN WITH THE KAISER!

GERMANS WHO ADMIT

THE TRUTH

THE severest things which have been said in England about the Kaiser and the rulers of Germanyare not; more severe than the sentiments contained 'in a Christmas manifesto issued by the German Humanity League. We quote the following passages frcm the translation supplied by the Exchange Telegraph Company : —

Our homes are still being desolated in a campaign waged for more than 500 days, not in lawful defence v of German territory, but to satisfy the insatiable and savage greed of Prussian conspirators. The forces of the nation are stifled by the violence of the administration trampling under foot the helpless mass of humanity crushed by the double burden of grief and want. We have examined through trusted sources the economic condition of every State and Province. From one and all comes the cry, "Deliver us from this hell of suffering." Consider for a moment the position of the German Empire in July, 1914. We then enjoyed civil rights and liberty as traders. In every market of the world we were welcomed, free to develop in friendly rivalry with other States, the arts, the commerce, the maritime resources of our land. All our legitimate trading interests were safeguarded, defined and protected by treaties and conventions. We were honoured and respected throughout the world.

To-day the German name is the scorn of civilisation ; the German flag has become the badge of infamy. Chivalry is. no longer in our ranks. It has been buried in the trenches in Flanders, and in- the village grave-plots of Brabant. For our crimes we are loathed by all honest men. To hide them is impossible. We stand naked and exposed. We who love our land with a passionate devotion and strive to reach the dawn of a new era which shall restore her character and win back for her.children the honour we have forfeited by barbarous cruelties and insatiable lust have written the above with heavy hearts.

Napoleon failed. The Kaiser must fail, and there can be no peace until he has been deposed trora the throne he has fouled, and his fellow-conspirators have met their fate at the hands of an executioner.