WAR NOTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 215, 19 February 1915, Page 7

WAR NOTIONS.

OUR "FETCHING" SOLDIER.. : Almost 'every French comment on thf, British troops' speaks of what we must . call, for want of a better word, then "prettincss." A pathetic instance mav 1 be given of his French admiration. A German officer at the front found on the. body of a French soldier who had been killed a little verse written in a mixL turc of French and English, and headed, "Welcome!" It was addressed to Tommy Atkins o n his arrival in France. One verse may be quoted: * Les p'tits soldats Anglais Debarquent roses et frais, Propres et coquets. A rough translation might run: The little English soldiers Are landing rosv anil fresh, Trim and 'fetching.' "THE ." Who is it. when a, regiment ll)i to the firing line is sent, Forbids one word "f the event? The Censor. Who veils the valor of the Wilts, Or Scottish companies in kilts. Advancing to the bagpipe's lilts? The Censor. Who puts out patriotic sparks Tsv hushing up our brief remarks Upon the bravery of the Berks? The Censor. Who tells us how at Dash our flanks Were threatened and protected, thanks To splendid shooting bv the Blanks? The Censor. Who tells us in a line or so Of brave repulses of the foe That happened several weeks ago? . The Censor. Who puts us off from day to day With sparse and vague communique That really does not shed a ray Of light upon the deadly fray? Why, the Censor, of course, I THE WAR SPIRIT. It took place in one of old England's harbors recently. The little launch was obviously in difficulties and gradually settling down lower and lower into tiewater. From a few score yards away an old fisherman in his boat, the only one near, resting on his oars, watched them with evident interest, making not the least ell'ort to go their assistance. In a few minutes, however, one of the crew, swimming hard, gained the boat, and. grasping the side, panted out: "Quick man! Are you deaf or blind? We're sinking fast." Dawning intelligence struggled into the old man's face. "Drownin' be ver?':" he exclaimed. "Lor', bless me soul. I though ye ivjs one o' they submarine boats!" PEACEFUL EUROPE. Said Austria: "You murderous Serb, ■ You the peace of all Europe disturb: Get down on your knees And apologise, please. Or I'll kick von right off my front kerb." The Tsar said. "My cousin (he Kaiser Was always a good advertiser. He's determined to fight, And insists lie is right. But soon he'll be older and wiser." "For forty-four summers," said France, "I've waited and watched for the chance, To wrest Alsace-Lorraine From the Germans again, And now is the time to advance." Said Belgium: "When armies immense Pour over my boundary fence, I'll awake from my nap And put up a scran They'll remember a hundred years hence. Said John Bull: "This here Kaiser's a snob: Tf I lets Belgium suffer, I'm a blank blooming duffer. So 'ere goes for a crack at 'is nob." —Milwaukee Daily Xews. 'i'