WAR IN ITS TRUE COLORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1915, Page 8

WAR IN ITS TRUE COLORS.

BOMBARDMENT OF CITIES. We hardly realise "what it meaas whan we read of ft town or city being bombarded, nor have we any conception of the terrible sight of a big explosive shell hitting a building and bursting the whole mass of heavy stone structure into a cloud of dust, scattering the bricks and mortar for hundreds of yards around. If only a dozen "Jack Johnson" shells were dropped with the area of New Plymouth, the town would be no more. We would then know how those who are daily experiencing these terrible ordeals are suffering and mourning not only for their cities and houses, but for those dear to them, who without a moment's notice are buried amid the falling ruins. A most wonderful, aweinspiring spectacle depicting the above will be screened at the Theatre Royal to-night and Wednesday night, during the short season the first series of the "Armies of Europe" Films are being shown in New 'Plymouth. The effect of heavy gun fire, and the blowing up of buildjngs amid the distant roar of cannons, and the appalling rumble of falling debris in the early hours ot the morning makes one shudder with eyes fixed closely on the pictures, while the heart is thumping with subdued excitement and fear for those who may be the victims of these terrible outrages of our uncivilised enemy. Many other scenes of German "Kultur" and acts of brutality amongst this finest series of war pictures ever presented to the British public, make the whole evening's entertainment most interfiling and sensational, and in some cases very amusing. A short opening speech is given by the leetuier who has been taking pictures at t'i3 front. Then all the monarchs and presidents, with the flags of the Allies are thrown on the screen, while the various national anthems are played. Following these are men and general to whom we look for our rights and freedom. Then we are shown Kitchener's army in the making (New Zealanders, Australians, Canadians and Indians preparing and going into action), the Allied iimie3 in action (real battle pictures), the Australian troops at Broadmeadows, and then at the front, the gallant London Scottish at the battle of Mens, the Canadians who have recently done much good work, and over a hundred even more interesting pictures. The Red Cross is shown at work attending the wounded in life-size pictures, and. their crude but careful methods of handling their heroes. The series of Red Cross pictures, and the storming of the heights, which are shown about half-way through the programme, are pictures that will probably never be taken again during the war, for all the photographers at tho front have been warned that they ale liable to be shot by their own troops if they are found taking this class of picture any more. Spies have secured some of these films, and thus useful information is reaching the enemy, and is used to stimulate the troops and civilians into even more dastardly acts and atrocities than they are committing at preset.