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Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1916, Page 4

GERMANY'S GUTTER PRESS. There was a reasonable excuse fov the anger evinced by the German press in tlieir comments concerning tlic battle of Verdus. The terrible havoc inflicted on the fighting strength of the country, coupled with the fact that the offensive was a failure from a military point of view, were quite sufficient to excuse an outburst of anger, especially when it was confidently expected that the German hosts would hammer their way through all opposition. Moreover, tliey had another purpose in view in, paving 1 the way for Germany's fourth loan, so that it was obviously important theit facts should be distorted and the people's minds diverted from the incidents of the war. It has been left, howevw, for the VgMicbe Zgitupg to demonstrate the

depth of infamy »f which the German press is capable. The vile attack made on the Australians and Canadians is all the more loathsome because it was entity unprovoked and unjustified in any way whatever, and it is singularly repulsive by reason of its being c#nnected with Britain's campaign in the Near East. Considering that it was the Russian forces which captured Erzerum it is manifest that the reference to Britain's ciiiwc in the Near East was a mere peg; on which to hang a string of the vilest abuse on the Dominions that it is possible to conceive. Fortunately the disgusting trade is so overdone that its initial effect will be to raise a smile of contempt, but its operative effect will be seen when the Canadians and Australians have an opportunity of coming to grip* with the Huns and avenge the foul slander? published by the Vossiche Zeitung. If their outbreak of filthy journalism is another specimen of German Knltur the propoa&l that the Turks should assist in promoting the spread of that, "made in Germany" article, has more meaning than appears on the surface." The Canadians and Anzacs kav« already prtved themselves w#rtliy of being included in the fjont ranks of Military heroes, and they sheuld certainly be given a chance of making the socalled heroic sons of Germany regret to tlie fullest extent having to fight "such filthy human refuse"—ene «f the ch»ice epithets bestowed an them by the gutter press of the Huns. Atr»ci»us vilifications like tlieie only serve t» produce embittered feelings, and it would be Wetter for the German cause and more te the credit of the country If such papers were suppressed, One wonders what ferm «E madness will next tnake itself conspicuous in Germsy.