ODDS AND ENDS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 102, 2 January 1915, Page 7

ODDS AND ENDS

"Wars resemble conflagrations. Both have a natural tendency to spread, unless they are kept under strict control." These are the opening sentences of an article in the "Fortnightly Review;," by; "Fabricul.s." 1 He jsuggejits that the Germans, having taken Antwerp, will endeavour to seize Flushing fortifications by a coup de main, plead, ing necessity; and as Holland cannot lcse Flushing and yet maintain her neutrality, this would mean that she would be dragged into the war. Then there are indications that the force of public opinion will lead Italy to occupy the Italian territories of Austria-Hun-gary. Roumania is in a position similar to that occupied by Italy, and if she wishes to advance a claim on tke unredeemed Roumanian provinces in Hungary, she must do so before it is too late. So Roumania may come in shortly. Then there is Bulgaria —she may be expected to follow a policy which promises to be most profitable to her. and she is not likely to be found on the losing side. An attack on Turkey by Greece is very probable. Before long the armies of Holland, Italy, Roumania, Greece, and perhaps of Bulgaria, may also be drawn into the war. All nations, it is added, are vitally interested in Germany's failure and the United States may at last be forced to intervene in the interests of humanity and of their own security. A GERMAN SOLDIER'S LETTER. The war is providing pabulum for some clever and cutting sarcasm in the London Press. One of the most amusing is the following, which is surmounted by a German soldier sitting on a bomb amidst a hail of bursting shells and writing, with a German fountain pen, on a box containing German sausages, while British bayonets are advancing up the hill behind him: Mein dear fader and modder,— Ven you sit down :o suppe-- next or' sausages and mashed, shoost tink cf your prave soldier boy who's getting awfully bashed; we started cu'; for victory, und got on fine at first, der Kaiser served out saveloys and lager for the thirst. We burnt up all der villages, und very pleased to do it, we fight der women und der kids, my word, we put 'em through it- Der wounded men we fight as wall, we feel so prave und strong, we tink we conkering heroes are, de war it won't be long. Der Kaiser says: "Dot's fery goot, my boys, we're doing grand," der Sausage he will win for sure, start oop der Sherman Band. But all at vouce der come a change, no more we smlie mit joy; we hear dose rag-time war songs of dot British soldier boy:-"You made me love you" first he sing, but do he kiss us? No! He charge us mit his bayonet, und, my word, he make us go. He sings "A long, long way, it vas, to Tipperary grand," but do he go there? No! He makes straight for der Faderland. We haf no stomach now to fight dis British soldier boy, der Kaiser's army he cuts up, shoosf like von saveloy. Der poor old Kaiser he looks blue. He says: "Mein poys, I fear der Sherman Sausage ain't no match for British Beef or Beer. I'm very much afraid dot ven all ofer is der scrap, meis lofely Sherman Empire will be wiped clean off der map." Der British bayonets charge vonce more, und ve run quick und faster. I'll socn be home, so modder, dear, get oud der shticking-plaster. From your loving son, Wilhelm Donnerwetter. DODGING THE BULLETS Gunner G. Hermann, R.F.A., in a let. ter to his parents at West Challow, , says: I am still dodging the bullets and shells but never know when I am going to stop one. We are getting fairly good food, and I have just'been ■ fitted out with new clothes, so don't worry obout that. lam in the best of health and getting on tine. Tell O —*- I will bring him home something, if it. is only the Kaiser. So far there has been no disease among us, but the Germans have got enteric fever very badly in some places the day but very cold as the sun goes The weather is now all right during down. The other morning there was ice quite a quarter of an inch thick. TABLES TURNED. Mr. Ronald Vernon (son of a late Mayor of Wycombe), who is at the front as a motor-cyclist,writing on Oct. 23, records an amusing incident when ♦•he tables were neatly turned on the Germans: "The night before last (he .says) the T nniskilling Fusiliers wore bi'leted for the night near a village and were a;' comfortably asleep, when a large force of Germans came up unawares and sur.ounded the lot, and they had to surrender. However, fortunately for the regiment, the 9th Lancers were not far away and saw the whole incident occur so they waited quietly until the Germans had settled down with their prisoners, and then charged the lot—Avho must have been taken quite by surprise Thetables were completely turned, and instead of our regiment being made prisoners, we bagged a lot of Germans. Upon entering the farm, squeaks were heard coming up from the cellar, and upon investigation the colonel of the regiment was discovered, having been locked in there by the Germans."