GENERAL CABLES

Taihape Daily Times, 13 February 1918, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT,

Received 9.30

LONDON, February 12,

The King’s speech at the opening of Parliament says the struggle has reached a critical stage, demanding our united energies and resources. The German Government' has ignored our just demands to make restitution for wrongs committed and furnish guarantees against their unprovoked repetition. Until Germany recognises this offer as the only principles on which an honourable peace can be concluded, it was our duty to prosecute the war with | all our vigor, in the full confidence that the British forces and their faithful'allies,..will continue to display its heroic courage, and.,the people, at home dlsplay ; the, .unselfish , devotion which has,.frustj-ajtcd : ;inapy.of pur eninics designs,- and.,ensure . the ultimate triumph of our. .righteous, cause... The speech adds: “I have, summoned the.

Dominions’- representatives for a furier session of the Imperial War Cabinet for on questions affecting :ae common interests of the Empire.

THE KAISER ORATES,

AMSTERDAM, February 12.

The Kaiser, in a speech at "Hamburg declared: We wish to live at peace with our neighbours, .but a German victory must first be acknowledged. Our troops 'will gain it under the great vHindehburg. Then will 'come the peace we need for a 'strong future. To this end' the'''violent powers of heaven must assist us’; Everyone, from schoolboy to greybeard, must set his thoughts’ on’conquest and a Gdrraan peace. The ‘Fatherland will live.

A-GRAPHIC STORY.

Received 9.10,

LONDON, Feb 12.

■ | Messrs Pitt and Choate, who escaped from Germany some days ago, went through some thrilling experiences during the course of their journey. Mr. Pitt says that CKoate was responsible for the arrangements to escape. Choate, during his two years’ imprisonment studied German in order to travel unsuspected. He made earlier unsuccessful attempts, for which he was punished. Many campite knew of our intention to make a new attempt, but guarded the secret carefully. Choate raffled his old fiddle in camp, thereby raising money to pay expenses_ It was impossible to wear camp clothes without detection, therefore they seclifecT "Ihe baggiest military trousers, took out the stripes from the sides, and when sewn up the garments looked lik© ordinary workmen’s trousers. We removed the distinguishing marks from the tunics, grew moustaches German-wise; we dodged the sentries at night-time and got clear of camp. Choate’s knowledge of German was most useful. We noticed a policeman watching us suspiciously. Choate asked him the way to the station. The policeman sternly asked: “Who are you?” Choate replied, “Belgian workmen.” The policeman said, “Where are you going?” Choate replied, “Going home.” Choate’s frankness disarmed the po- ' liceman, who indicated tire direction of the train. Travelling was difficult, i but by various devices .we allayed suspicions. We feigned sleep when closely watched. Choate’s disguise was perfect. He addressed me in colloquial German, to which I nodded and responded in monosyllables. We brought a little food from camp, therefore if. was unnecessary to visit restaurants, where the absence of bread and other cards’would promptly lead to deletion. Finally we reached Holland