"THE BEAST."

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 March 1916, Page 2

"THE BEAST."

THE above is the title of a 36----page pamphlet by Mr Cathcart Mason, M.P. for Orkney and Shetland, and formerly Member o| House of Representatives, New Zealand, and which we acknowledge with thanks as coming with the compliments of the Minister for Internal Affairs, Wellington.

The object of the little work is to show the people of all countries the dastardly, wicked, and cruel tactics used by " The Beast " in the present war, and should be read by millions. The evidence contained therein is mostly of extracts from the report of the Committee set-up by Mr H. H. Asquith, because —" Our Government was so appalled at the awful crimes and atrocities committed by 'The Beast' in Belgium that on December 15th., 1914, the following appointment was made : The Right Hon. Viscount Bryce, 0.M.; Right Hon. Sir Frederick Pollock, Bt., K.C.; Right Hon. Sir Edward Clarke, XC. ; Sir Alfred Hopkinson, K.C.; Mr H. A. L. Fisher, Vice-Chancellor Sheffield University, and MiHarold Cox, to be a committee to consider and advise on the evidence collected on behalf of His Majesty's Government, as to outrages alleged to have been committed by German troops during the present war. Their investigations have revealed most startling facts in respect to rapine and murder, women and daughters being most disgustingly treated in the open streets, and left in a nude state having their breasts cutoff. Several Bibical quotations introduce the subject, such as, "And the Beast was taken and with him the false prophets, and were cast alive into a lake burning with fire and brimstone."

The murder of Sister Cavell and the attempt to get her sentence commuted, is also commented upon. There are some who would wish " The Beast" dead, but that would be too good a let-off. *We hope that he may live to be made feel the effects of the horrors he has caused, and so die a lingering death.