THE LATEST AIR RAID.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1917, Page 4

THE LATEST AIR RAID.

It would be impossible to. lifnd words that would adequately describe the indignation and horror the last murder "aid by German aeroplanes on the defenceless women and children of the east of London has evoked. However violent might be our denunciatory language it would still fall far short of what the occasion demands. Considering the congested state of the population on which Hun vengeance was wreaked, it is surprising the loss of life was not far greater, and for that we may feel thankful, though the total is already over one hundred, while the injured number four times the amount. It is not difficult to imagine the harrowing scenes that followed the rain of death-dealing explosives, when the piteous cries of the wounded women and children were mingled with the agonised outbursts or those who had escaped. Typical Hun warfare! Rightfulness of the worst typo towards the defenceless, not only without shame, but with a hate passing all comprehension, and yet these superfiends parade their trust in a God oi love. The official German report only adds gross insult to. the injury. It states: "Our airmen bombed the fort of London," but omits the phrase "with good results" that was used on the previous occasion. Then a German newspaper announces the flight of the English Government from London! It only wanted that one touch of absurdity to reveal the Hun in all his ghoulishness. The heartfelt sympathy of the whole Empire goes forth to the sufferers anct the bereaved, and there can be no one with a vestige of true humanity who will not cry aloud for a just retribution. Reprisals have been advocated on other occasions when the barbaric instincts of our ruthless enemy have caused similar murderß, but this time these demands should produce adequate reprisals. That seems to be the only way the barbarians can be made to feel they must put an end to their cold-blooded murders. The time has come when a raid on Berlin should be attempted. Tho Allies claim mastery of the air. Now is opportunity for proof. If the German aviators can attack London from a height of eighteen thousand feet, then British aviators should make it a point to ojitdo the enemy. If it be not possible ;to raid Berlin, then organised raids should be made on accessible German towns, with a force that will drive home to the Germans that they cannot attack non-combatants with impunity. No action can be too drastic, nor any reprisal too comprehensive, to weigh in tho balance against the latest exhibition of Hun savagery.