WAR NOTES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 13 June 1917, Page 2

WAR NOTES

ANZACS ILL-TEEATED. WORKED WITHIN SHELL FIRE. STARVED PRISONERS’ STORY. (From Captain C. E. W. Bean, Australian Press Representative with the Commonwealth Forces.) British Headquarters, May 22. There reached the Australian lines to-day two Western Australians who were taken prisoner by the Germans when the Hindenburg wire was first broken by the Australians troops on April 11. They were cut off with 750 others from all parts of Australia after that magnificent attempt to seize and hold the Hindenburg lino without the help of the artillery. From the first the Germans starved these men while working them mercilessly. They say that many of them are now falling so ill that even the Germans see that some can work no longer. From the. day they were captured they never had one blanket. They had to lie on straw through the coldest nights. Their ration consisted of one loaf of bread between seven men with stewed turnips and two cups of coffee daily. French civilians and priests were constantly trying to help them with little gifts of food, but this was done at great risk. One woman who was caught giving food was knocked over the head by a German and taken away. They say that the Germans are deliberately trying to cause dissension between Australia and Britain. They were told by the Germans that they could write anything they pleased about their hard treatment and short rations provided they said in their letters that it was punishment for the English employing German prisoners under shellfire. Needless to say the accusation is utterly untrue, and it is only to give the Germans an excuse for using all possible labour behind the front.

These Australians said that a French prisoner told them that they had been made to carry rations to the front line, a flagrant breach of all international law. The Australians themselves were sent within shell range on working gangs. They became thin and haggard from want of food. Finally, two days ago, they decided,

“\Vo will have either bacon or death for breakfast.” They escaped, and made their way across the line of trenches. Finally they reached the Australian lines. They state that the Germans invariably asked them how England was standing the submarine campaign.

A STUDY AND A SHRIEK.

In describing at the Garrison Hall, Wellington, how - the New Zealand soldiers paint their faces black and arm themselves with a “ waddy” made with an entrenching tool and a big nut, - just prior to engaging in a raid, Major Andrews said, (chat dike might n (u<erofficer was brought a prisoner into his dugout in charge of two stalwart New Zealanders, and he noticed that the man looked behind him one or twice as if he feared something was after him; and as soon as the officer saw him, he said to him in Frencn, “You are an officer, I claim your protection ” “My protection! — against what ” asked Major Andrews. “Against these New Zealand savages,” was the reply. “But I am a New Zealander,” said the Major “You a New Zealander! Impossible!” exclaimed the officer, “Impossible!” “He had seen them, you know,” remarked Major Andrews, amid laughter. ,“Hc had seen them and he knew.” (Loud laughter.)

THE ENEMY IN THE MIDST

Was there ever an enemy that had such a grip of the world’s controlling forces as Germany possesses. It is marvellous to-day as when the war. began nearly three years ago. In New Zealand we are not allowed to publish the comings and goings even of Australian steamers. Why A wholesome fear of the enemy in our midst and outside. ’ No later than March last — only a few weeks ago—a statement was made by Major. Baird, representing the Air Board, in the House cf Commons, which emphasised the fact that German agents arc still active in the Old Country. In refusing to supply Mr. Pemberton Billing with certain information about the supply of aeroplanes, Major Baifrd made the startling admission; “Any answer we give in this House is at once sent to Germany.” The London papers made the following pertinent comment: “Printed and written information can always be, stopped by the censor. The question remains; How is the information conveyed.” And echo jeers How?