The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1915. REPRISAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 99, 29 April 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1915. REPRISAL.

The German use of asphyxiating gases in their recent desperate attempts to break the lines of the Allies is a culminating act in a base record of falsehood, treachery, and inhumanity. They have achieved nothing by their infernal work except to further alienate neutral nations, and—let ns hope—to hasten the end by hardening the hearts of those who are opposing them. The splendid work of the Canadian troops again shows that in fair combat, even against heavy odds in numbers, the Germans are no match for the British, and that they now meet them with none of the old confidence the Prussian so arrogantly displayed in the earlier stages of the war. lint British soldiers, and the fine lighting men of France and Russia equally, can never sink to the depths of degradation Germany has done by

carrying out a policy of reprisal in its entirety, though ii is high time sentiment was to some extent shelved and in dealing with the actual murderers in the German ranks, a retort in kind be resorted to. ft is against all reason and human nature to require the Allied forces 'to submit periodically, when it may suit the enemy, to a iusilade ol asphyxiating bombs or a wind-driven death curtain of noxious gases, while they retort only with the measures of offence sanctioned and recognised by the laws agreed upon in. the international usages of war. With the outrages before them the Allies must find their only real remedy is to give them back some of their own medicine, and it may be quite reasonably expected that the asphyxiating gas horror will be in general use from this time onward to the bitter end. If the German hordes gain material advantage by the criminal violation the law ol nations, it would bo weak folly to permit them to continue without retaliation while any possible means ol inflicting punishment upon their armed combatants exists. The Allied armies will not, however, make war on women and children, or on defenceless people, but they will find a way to repay the evildoer. It has been very well said that the antipathy with which many generations of British, French and Russians will regard Germany will he the consequences of unwarranted injuries sulfered through this predatory nation wantonly seeking war in a lull state of military preparedness, and it will lie more hitler in proportion to the uncivilised way they elected to wage that war.

THE NEW MAYOR. Mr. J. W. Boon scored a rather easy victory in the Stratford Mayoral election yesterday though it was fully anticipated that he would he returned. .Mr. Boon fully deserves the honour. and we congratulate him on his success, lie is undoubtedly a man of sterling character am! has had a fair experience of local hotly allairs in addition to the practical kuowi-'dgo of public works gained in his calling. Mr. Boon loses no time in placing his views on the much-vexed lighting question before the ratepayers, and a letter from him on the subject will be found elsewhere.