WAR NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 232, 10 March 1915, Page 5

WAR NOTES.

TIRED OF FIGHTING. Qfrom Holland comes the repprt that German soldiers frequently desert across into Dutch territory. As a rule these deserters are disguised in Belgian peasant costume, and theirone idea is to get away from the couritry and start life again in America.. They are, they saj, tired of the terrible, hardships of the. fighting in Flanders, ami completely sick of the war, which they had nevfr . expected to last so long. One of these deserters tlius expressed his feelings to a war correspondent:—, "I am tired of it—tired of being driven to the slaughter like one of a herd of cattle," he exclaimed, with hitter empha- ' : sis. "I am tired of being snubbed by young officers, who must think wc have no human feelings left or love for wife - and children. The name of the Yser makes us shiver. It was not a fight, but a slaughter of masses, And what business had we in Belgium, after all f Why must we Germans bring this good-na-tured • people to ruin and misery? .1 won't do it any longer. To desert is a decision which counts for one's life. It means saying good.bye to your country and wour welfare, but I have strong arjhs and can work. I slialFgo to America, and try my chance there." Another deserter remarked: "I've deserted because Ido not want to die. At the Yser nothing awaits us'Tjut certain death. The officers force, us into tha enemy's fire over the dead and wounded." A third deserter told a similal story. Both these men, like The fir el two. intended to emigrate to America at the first opportunity, and start ltfe afresh.

CANDID CRITICISM. ' Mr Justice Russell, of Halifax, N. 8., addressing the Canadian Club at St! John, N. 8., spoke in strong terms of tho attitude, of the United States Government, in .regard to the European war. "I have long been an admirer of President Wilson, but I was disappointed at his weak and washy prayer for neu trality, which, I am pleased to say, ' has hardly found any support among the great organs of public opinion in the States." lie said. "I would to have seen him rise to a higher standard, and to pass judgment .as to which side is right in the war. If he could not help witli the United States fleet and army be could have tho official opinion of the States a s a'party to the Hague Convention. But does that body have nothing to say concerning such a sanction 'of the destruction <5 Louvain and Rlicims? Should Bombs hp thrown on innocent non-combatariPf?' Should women and children and bab'ies be slaughtered? Is this according to tho principles of the Hague Convention? It is humiliating to think that tho United States remained silent, about these out- ' rages, llot uttering a single word of protest, but only crying out. when its pocket is touched by affecting its trade."