"COME AND SURRENDER."

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1915, Page 5

"COME AND SURRENDER."

AN AMUSING SOLDIER t ■ AUSTRIAN INVITATION. Amusing offers have been made to the' Italian soldiers by the Austrians in circulars which have been pasted to trees, fences, and posts along the Italian line of march. The poster is as follows-; "Italian Soldiers:—You arc entering with malice into a war of conquest and plunder. To fire traitorously upon your former allies is an act of immorality without equal in the records of history. Divine Providence will punish each of those who commits such a base act. Each of you, in the face of God and the face of death, should renounce the great crime which you intend to commit with a .sacrifice of your own blood, i ,

"Think of the terrible fatigues and continual dangers which a blind Government is imposing upon you. Think also of the terrible privations which your actions arc bringing to your unfortunate families. Why go in the face of such misfortune when there is a chanoe to i free yourselves?

"Make the most of every opportunity to surrender, particularly when a propitibus moment presents itself. Refuse to obey orders and follow in a body the example of your comrades who come to us and who never will jregret it. For arms and other war materials which you give to us you will receive a premium; each machine-gun, 500 crowns; for each cannon, 20,000 crowns; for each aeroplane, intact, 200 crowns, and for each horse, 150 crowns.

"In Austria prisoners of war are well treated. They are gathered together m villages with their companions. They arq allowed the greatest amount of liberty. Best of all, they receive plenty of food for a soldier. All are absolutely free from danger. Do not hesitate! Desert in mass. You are welcome. Oive this note wide distribution and encourage all your frierids to follow you." Commenting on this note, the Figaro says:—"So eloquent is this appeal that the 'friends' do not wish to surrender. They prefer to fight for a single crown —the crown of Savoy."