“LOYALITY” NOT JUST THE WORD.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 August 1918, Page 3

“LOYALITY” NOT JUST THE WORD.

It seems incredible that Herr von Kuhlmann should have dared recently to pay a tribute to “the loyalty of Alsace-Lorraine to the German fatherland,” in face of the following facts which deal with the year of our Lord 1917 (says Herbert A. Gibbons, in the 1 ‘ Century Magazine ’ ’): —

1. There are 'two Alsatian officers of pure blood in the German army, while France has Generals Maudihuy, D’Urbal, Michelcr, Dubail, Mangin, Hirschauer, Lardcraelle, Sibille, Levi, Leblois, Hayman, Blondin, Andlaucr, Schwartz, Metz, and Poudragum, 145 other superior officers, and thousands of captains and lieutenants. 2. Army orders show that the authorities dare not employ the regiments from Alsace-Lorraine in the German army hgainst France and that -they hold them under strict surveillance everywhere.

3. Tens of thousands of deserters are posted, and measures taken for the confiscation of r 'thoir property in the German empire.

4. The court-martial and the civil tribunals of the Reichsland, although they work under pressure, are at this writing January, 1918 several months behind in trying the cases of civilians accused of high treason and showing open sympathy with the enemy.' ; - ■