THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 230, 8 March 1915, Page 7

THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE.

■ HUMAN HEADQUARTERS FORBIDS REPETITION. The fraternising of the English and Germans at Christmas seem to havo off> nded the Cermau headquarters, who, rather late in the day (says a com-s----|:ondent., writing to an English paper' of January fltli), have issued an order sternly forbidding any such approaches in future. This lias apparently followed the' publication in Germany of an excellent, description by a German of how lit least one section of the English and Germans in opposition carried out the Christmas truce. '■On the 25t1i," writes this man, "sudeenly We heard from the trewhos of the Miemy loud hurrahs, and I inking out in.in our mouscholes we were surprised lo see the English advancing without their guns, but waving white boxes, handkerchiefs, and towels. Tt was evident that they must he bearers of greetings, so we advanced half the distance of the 2(10 metres which separated us|

'".l'lm ureetiiifjs t°°' c I>lace ill the prefence df officers from lxrf.li sides. C.'ii.'iir.i, cigarettes, and ninny oilier tilings were exchanged, :in<j even photographic snapkhops wore taken. T was sorrv I had not ipv camera with me. Then the English began t.c> piny with a football they hild brought with them. When darkness rame 011 both parties returned to their drawing-rooms with the promise that for (lie next three days thoy wliould out shoot each other. The promise wits kept on both sides. "The French, who lay a little further nff and did not take part in the agreement. were under fire the whole day from our artillery. Everybody ids", and also we, moved about, tiie whole, flay outside I lie trenches and were absolutely free. It was a day of peace in the war. Tt is only a pity that it is not the decisive peace."