THE GREATEST COWARD IN MODERN HISTORY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 201, 18 August 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GREATEST COWARD IN MODERN HISTORY.

All of us have road with lvttcr fceli igs tluo graphic report of if. Jurbu Jnr. regarding the treatment of British prisoners in the German concentration camp at Wittenberg, and we have boon appalled at the recital of tine ghastly horrors wlr'eh our poor brave sailors have had to face and are still facing One thing in the report which stands out prominently is the cowardly character of the German doctor, by name Aschenbach. This inhuman monster made but one visit to the camp, and th's he accomplished in a complete mt of protective clothing with india-rubber gloves and mask. And even thus robed, he kept at a distance of practical safety. There arc not a large number of cowards in historical but tins specimen of German "' Kultur" is richly deserving of a prominent place amongst the few who figure on the dishonoured 1011. One may look in vain for a parallel to this appalling picture of human baseness. If it had not been for the devotion of the six BrtMi doctors who worked all through tiie epidemic— three of them until they died, victims ol the fever- medical science itself i ould harr!lv have escaped the everlasting nnirch (if Aschenbach's association. We have niin li tn renn mber to the discredit »\ Germany during thi- tcrible war, and the pitiful storv of Wittenberg is not the Least act : n this ghastly busings tn he lionie in mind when Germany will be striving to revive her trade with this country. Th.' reinarka.ble pal t about the tragedy is that the Kaiser should have deemed this poor spec men of a man worthv of Hie reward ol the Iron Cros.s. Mis fellow-iountivineii who have received the do;oration far bravery must surely wi-h lh''.V had lievir br-n so honoured.