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Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1916, Page 4

THE OTTAWA OUTRAGE. Although there is no direct evident connect German agents with tlnstruction of the Parliament Buildin; Ottawa, there appear to be good gro for suspicion that this outrage \v: deliberate act planned and carried by Teutonic desperadoes. The that the fire followed an explosion Itlittle room for doubt as to its 1: the deed of some hostile agency, a long time past there have threats directed against Canadian i tutions by Germans in America, an is now stated that throe weeks ago Providence (Rhode Island) Journal tified the Canadian Government o plot, planned at the German Embi Washington, whereby the Canadian liament, the Duke of Connaughfr's dence. and the Ontario munitions I

wore to lie destroyed. In the light, of went revelations in America concerning the engineering and financing of diabolical outrages, it would seem neither unjust nor unreasonable, to attribute the Ottawa iire to this source, especially as a later cable states that an attempt was made to blow up the bridge over the St. Lawrence. Apparently these acts are (Germany's method of resenting Canada's loyalty to the British Empire, and are meant to strike terror into the hearts of the Canadians in the same way as the Zeppelins and submarine pirates are utilised for terrorising Britain. It is a form of dementia that indicates how low Germany has fallen in the scale of civilisation when she resorts to the tactics of an assassin because she finds her military resources arc on the wane. She may repudiate any connection with the outrage, or she may justify it like a cowardly bully. The murder of innocent men, women and children seeim to have obsessed the Germans. Throughout the civilised world this outrage on Canada will be -held in abhorrence and I will evoke the wost profound sympathy far the grievous loss resulting therefrom. Instead of terrorising the people of Canada and of the other dominion-!, this unpardonable crime will arouse them to the highest pitch of eagerness to inflict a crushing defeat on so foul an enemy—not by dastardly means but by manly courage and irresistible bravery. When tlie reckoning comes, Germany may be sorry for her evil ways, but she will have to pay the penalty, and it will be heavy. Meanwhile it is pleasing to note a suggestion has been made that Britain should co-operate with Canada in re-building the Ottawa Parliament House, as a token of gratitude for Canada's war services. It would be a graceful act on the part of all the other British Dominions to also offer donations as a mark of their sympathy and of • their appreciation of Canada's splendid practical loyalty. It is probable, however, that our sister dominion may prefer to shoulder her own burdens, knowing that she is in the fortunate position of being strongly financial.