THE AEROPLANE RAID.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 172, 29 December 1914, Page 5

THE AEROPLANE RAID.

THREAT OF ZEPPELINS. PREDICTION THREE MONTHS AGO. In view of the report of the dropping of bombs upon Dover, the following letter, dated September 28, published by the New "V ork Sun, from its Berlin correspondent is interesting as showing the German state of mind and how perilously close to the border line of insanity the war has blight the average German. The correspondent reports an interview with Privy Councillor Witting, formerly Bnrgomeister of Poscn, and introduced to the American public as "one of the leading financiers of the Empire." The interview, of course, was given for American consumption, and in the hope of influencing American public opinion. IJerr Witting says: "It is a fight between England and Germany to the bitter end, to the last German if need be. It is a war of annihilation between these two countries and nations. England lias wanted it; so let it be. We want no quarter from England, we shall give none. We shall never ask England' for mercy; we shall extend no mercy to her. England, and England alone, brought on this criminal war out of greed and envy to crush Germany, and now it is death, destruction, and annihilation for one or the other of the two. Tell your American people that, and say that these words do not come from a fanatic, but from a quiet business man, who knows the feeling of liis people, and who knows what is at stake in this Titanic struggle brought .on bv that criminal nation." Ilcrr Witting told the correspondent that Germany was making preparations for a, wnr to last three years. "Something like 200 factories for turning pot ash _ into flour for bread arc being established. There is plenty of meat. We. had an excellent crop, and it has all been harvested and put away." Financially, Herr Witting says Germany is able to carry on the war. He, as might be expected, repeats the usual German lie that Germany did not declare a moratorium. The. correspondent asked Herr Witting if there could be any justification for attacking London with Zeppelins, to which Herr Witting replied: "The English call us mad dogs, against whom any weapons are justifiable. The English are criminals. Against them the use of Zeppelins needs no justification. The sinking of the three cruisers by a single German submarine is not the only surprise the English will get. Mark what I tell you! London will be attacked." Herr Witting says that Germany has still three million men to put into the fight.