ANTI-WAR LEAFLET.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 231, 1 December 1916, Page 6 (Supplement)

ANTI-WAR LEAFLET.

* CIRCULATED IN GERMANY. INCITEMENT TO REVOLT. A Socialist anti-war leaflet, entitled "Hunger," is being circulated broadcast in Germany. It is remarkable for its bitterness and its language of frank incitement. One copy of the leaflet was brought to a Dutch newspaper by a deserter. The leaflet, which is printed on red paper, reads as follows: — " What was expected, has come— Hunger! In Leipsiz, in Berlin, in Charlottenburg, in Brunswick, Magdeburg, Koblenz, and Osnabruek, as well as in many other places disorders caused by the hungry masses have occurred before the shops dealing in foodstuffs. And those responsible for this state of things have no other remedy for the hungry masses than—a state of siege, police-swords and military patrols. "Herr von Betbmann Hollweg blames England for the evils at present existing in Germany, and the advocates of the continuation of the war to the bitter end, as well as the supporters of the Government, repeat this prattle. Nevertheless, the German Government must know that this state of things was bound to come about. War against Russia, France and England was bound to lead to the isolation of Germany. Our war-makers lament that degenerate enemies have 'blockaded' us. But why pursue such a course in politics as well inevitably lead to a blockade? BLUNDERS AND SUFFERING. "This criminal provocation of the world-war followed by further blunders. The Government has done nothing to prevent the present starvation of the masses. \Vny has it done nothing? Because the Government clique, the capitalists, the Junkers, the speculators in foodstuffs, do not suffer as the masses of the people suffer. On the contrary, they grow richer through the hunger of the people. If from the outset of the war serious measures had been taken to prevent hunger and misery, the gravity of the situation would have been revealed to the blockaded masses, and thus enthusiasm for the war would have soon cooled. Meanwhile the masses of the people were benumbed by Victories and Triumphs, though all the time they were being delivered into the hands of agrarian and capitalist food exploiters. "With the cry of 'Hold through' (Durchhalten), by which the Schiedomann group and its supporters are rendering great service to the Government, an attempt was made to cause the masses to loso their cool commonsense. The ruling classes do not wisn to give up their mad plans as to annexation of territory, and the people are defrauded into the belief that if Germany can dictate peace terms her influence in future will be predominant.

"We have been told lies as to the German U boats cutting off EnglandS supplies, and that England will be brought to her knees and the war thus ended. These are fairy tales only lit for the ears of little children. The submarine warfare only makes fresh, enemies for Germany, and it is impossible to cut off England's supplies, even if Germany had ten times as many submarines as she at present possesses.

" Further, we are told that the attack on the Balkans would give Ge - .many a chance of relieving the sitmtion, as Turkey would be able to supply abundant foodstuffs. This was a deliberate lie, because all who are well informed know quite well that Turkey cannot supply anything, there being a lack of food both in Constantinople, and on the coast of Asia Minor, in consequence of which the Turkish Government cannot even feed its army. "DOWN WITH THE WAR!" "Now they would console us wiVi the prospect of the coming harvest; all our misery will end immediately the corn is gathered. This is also a deli oerate r.us-statement, and a simple calculation will prove it so. In the course of twenty-two months of war the produce of two harvests has been consumed, besides great quantities of cattle, fodder, sugar and other foodstuffs which had been acumulated prior to the outbreak of war. Besides all this, there was also what could be requisitioned in the occupied territory of Belgium, Northern France, Poland, Lithuania, the Baltic Provinces and Serbia, and 'also the foodstuffs imported from Holland and the Scandinavian countries. "Now there is nothing more. The occupied countries are depleted to tin utmost, people are already rj starvation in Poland and Serbia. Neutral countries are also closing their frontiers, as they themselves are beginning to suffer from lack of food. Our home harvest cannot supply verv much on account of the fields having been insufficiently tilled through, deficiency of labour, of manure, and ft seeds. The quantity of cattle available for food is small. It is. now too late for a food dictator to provide for equitable distribution. The foodstuff exploiters have accomplished their worlt. Even if constrained they could do nothing, for there is not now sufficient food to distribute to satisfy the people. "This ft the plain truth. 'Hie people have been incited to war, in cons?, quence of which supplies have been cut off. Capitalist criminals, with the con- j nivancc of the Government, have dons the rest. What is to be expected n the future? We may carry 011 the war for half a year or a whole year longer, but meantime the people will slowly die of hunger, in which event the coming generation will be sacrificed. "Men and women of the wage-earn-ing class, it is with us that the responsibility lies. One way or the other! Either the masses of wage-earners will persevere in their stupid stolidity, the consequences of which will be a. long process of misery, disease and death; or the wage-earners will exert themselves and refuse their services to the Government and the ruling classes, forcing them to make peace. There is no other wav out. We must act! "Come fi.rtii, men and women! Let your will prevail! Down with tho war!''