"GOOSE STEPPING TWO YEARS AGO—NOW!"

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 233, 8 December 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

"GOOSE STEPPING TWO YEARS AGO—NOW!"

German newspapers betray signs of anger and discouragement. Thus, the •• Xachrichteh" falls tooth and nail on the people for its pessimism, and declares that the situation is no worse than in 1759, when' Frederick tho Great found himself fighting the victorious armies of the whole of Europe. The German General Staff actually spoke, on September 16th, of the "wearing-down battle on the Somnie"' as pursuing its normal course. A wear-ing-down battle waged or sustained by the supermen of Germany is really an illuminating admission. So outspoken is the "Kriegszeitung"' that one can only suppose that the Supor-Butcher wishes the truth to begiu to filter down to his bamboozled fchcep: — "Enthusiasm is a dish which must l>p eaten piping hot, or it is spoilt. Two years ago we were goose-stepping through Belgium, capturing one after another Liege, Namur, and Antwerp, crushing the French in Lorraine. We were promising our wives to be back lx>fore two months were over, and now at the end of two years we. are still fighting far from home. These facts damp our enthusiasm considerably. A good •morale' is the soldier's best asset, but when we watch our bravest filling nl! mound us our eyes fill with involuntary tears and we ask ourselves. •Why, should this war Ik'? Was it obligatory for us? When is it going to end?" "