THE MAYENCE PROPHECY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 239, 5 January 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE MAYENCE PROPHECY.

IMPENDING FALL OF HOHENZOLLERNS. In the issue of the London ■"Field" of September 23rd. an article entitled, "Les Bois des Bouleaux" says: "The Bois des Bouleaux, which was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch on Friday, September 15, as having been in part captured by our troops, is likely to hold an immortal place in the story of the Battle of the Somme. For one thing its complete capture would bring our lines so far to the north of Combles as probably to force the Germans to evacuate the place. For another, its position on the right of our line at the point where we join the front lines of the French, places it in the centre part of whole battle, and, in a sense, gives it a pivotal importance We cannot help drawing attention to this curious fact, and recalling what perhaps our readers have long ago forgotten, that in the celebrated prophecy of Mayence (which was reported to be on record as long ago as 1854) the great battle which was to be decisive In the conflict with the Hohenzollerns was to take place in the Field of Birches (Champ des Bouleaux). It is, of course, wrong to attach too much importance to a coincidence of this kind, but no doubt our readers would like to see again for themselves the curious prophecy. . . . It will be noted that in the original text the 'Champ des Bouleaux" is mentioned as if it were in Germany, and is supposed to be situated between Ham. Woerl and Paderborn. It is possible, however, for those who are inclined to give all credit they can to this extremely interesting prediction to read the words 'Champ des Bouleaux' separately, for the three places in Germany, as indicating two different actions—a decisive one, which will turn the Germans out of France and a final one, which will destroy their last resistance. In view of the general obscurity of most prophecies. it should be noted this particular case a great deal more deta.l is given than usual, and that to a larger extjnt than in other cases th?B prophecy has been realised with remarkable accuracy. If c-yone can find out the earlie.st recorded date at which this prophecy was formulated, we think it would be a matter of great public interest, and should be glad, to hear about it."

THE PROPHECY OF MAYENCE. Whence comes the so-called Mayence Prophecy, and when was it made. No one knows. It takes its name from the town of Mayence (or Mainz), where it was preserved in a monastery founded by St. Hildegarde; but it cannot well be considered a forgery after the event, as it was published as long ago as 1854, and aroused considerable interest at once. Very scon, however, people ceased talking of it in Germany, because It predicted the end of the Hohenzollerns; but in Alsace and Lorraine they repeated it in secret, dreading the annexation which it foretold for 45 years, and anticipating their final deliverance, which should come in 1916. The terms of this celebrated prophecy are so strikingly definite that we give them in full, to enable the reader to observe for him,se|lf its disturbing agreement with the facts. "When the little people of the Order shall feel themselves strong enough to shake off the yoke of their protector, and the barley shall be in the ear, their King, William, will go forth against Austria. He shall go forth from victory to victory, even to the gates of Vienna, but a word from the great Emperor of the West shall make the hero tremble on the field of victory; and the barley shall not be harvested when he shall sign peace, shake off every yoke, and return in triumph to his country. "But behold, between the fourth harvest and that of the oats a great noise shall summon the reapers to arms; a formidable war, having with it an extraordinary number of engines, which hell itself only could have invented, shall take the road to the West. "Woe unto thee, great nation; wfie to you who have forsaken the rights of God and man. The God cf Armies has forsaken you, and who shall aid you? "Xapoleon 111., at first despising his adversary, shall soon turn back to the People's Oak, where he shall disappear, never to return. "In spite of the heroic stand of the French, a multitude of blue, yellow and black soldiers shall overrun a great part of France. "Alsace and Lorraine shall be torn away from France for a generation and a half.

"Frenchmen will only take courage again against themselves —or against their nature. (This passage is hardly intelligible. The French text is: Les Francais ne reprendronts cou,rage que contre cuxmes.) "Woe unto thee, great city, woe unto thee, city of.vice; steel and fire shall follow fire and famine. "Courage, true hearts, the reign of darkness shall end before its deVices are accomplished. "But now comes the day of mercy. A prince of the nation is in the midst of you. "This is the man of salvation, the wise, the invincible: he shall count his undertakings by his victories. "He shall chase out the enemy from France, he shall go from victory to victory, till 'he day of Divine justice. "In that day he shall have seven kinds of soldiers against three on the field of Birches i r:es Bouleaux). between Ham, Woerl t nd Paderliorn. "Woe unto you, people of the North; your seventh eener.ition shall answer for your crimen. Woe unto you, people of tho Ea-t: you shall multiply cries of mourning and shod innocent blood. Neve." was seen such an army; never was be aid so great a noise! "Three times the run si all pass over the heads of the amies, and shall not be seen for the fog of smoke. "At last the chief shall gain the victory; two of his enemies shall flee towards the Far East. "William, the second of the name, shall lie the last Kins of Prussia: he shall have no other successors than a King of Poland, a King of Hanover, and a King of Saxony."