WAR LETTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1916, Page 2

WAR LETTERS.

HINTS FOR THE GERMAN PUBLIC. The New York Evening Post reproduces th e following instructions addressed by tile authorities to the German public with regard to their correspondence with soldiers at the front. It is a curious mixture of paternalism and caution:— "Write what is to be written at once, for you never know whether delay may result in the addressee never receiving your letter. Do not write unncessary stuff', or because you wish your soldier to have a daily letter from home. Think of the millions of service letters which must be delivered, and do your share to avoid giving extra work. 'Remember that your soldier may not get your letter for weeks; therefore avoid questions that must be answered at once. '•You annoy your soldier by asking him questions that lie cannot answer, and all anger and annoyance-must be avoided. Do not write about your troubles, burdens, disagreeable things. Do not tell the soldier about the death of relatives or the death of friends in the field of which he may not have heard. Above all, do not tell your loved 'ones about your anxiety on their behalf. Seek rather to understand their troubles and joys and to share them. Ask about tlie comrades in the trenches, who are of far more immediate interest to the soldier than his relatives at home. Write your letters so that everyone may read them, the comrades and the enemy. A letter may easily fail into the hands of enemies. "Every ambiguous . phrase or of double moaning should be avoided, also silly, trifling and frivolous things—for re.member the soldier at the front has other interests now. Avoid all exaggerations. Women should not write about the impossible prices of meat, etc. The enemy who reads this is apt to take it literally. And number your letters and postcards consecutively, and ask your soldier-to acknowledge receipt of letters according to their number. In this way you will be able to see if any letter misses its destination."