THE EX-KAISER'S FEROCITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1919, Page 4

THE EX-KAISER'S FEROCITY.

The ex-Kaiser's ferocious harangue to his troops leaving for China in July, 1900, will be remembered. "When you meet the foe you will defeat him," he said. "No quarter will be given, no prisoners will be taken- Let all who fall into your hands be at your mercy. Just as the Huns a thousand years ago, under ,the leadership of Attila, gained a reputation in virtue of which they still live in historical tradition, so may ,the name of Germany become known in such manner in China." In an address to me Army of the East he said: "Remember that you are the chosen people. The Spirit of the Lord has descended on me because I am Emperor of the Germans. I am the instrument of the Most High. I am His sword and His representative. Disaster and death to those who resist my will. Disaster and death to those who do no(t believe in my mission. Disaster and dea.th to cowards. Let them all perißh, the enemies of the German people." Again, in another address to his troops, he said: "God demands the destruction of our enemies. God, through my mouth, commands you to execute His orders." Perhaps the most startling speech of all wm that,

mentioned by Mr. James W. Gerard, the American Ambassador to Germany, in his book "Face to Face With Kaiserism" "From childhood," said the Kaiser, "I have been influenced by five menAlexander the Grea,t, Julius Caesar, Theodoric 11, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon. Each of these men dreamed a dream of world empire. They failed. I have dreamed a dream of German world empire, and my mailed fist shall succeed." The contemptible creature who is now a fugitive from the people who so recently acclaimed him as little short of a god is thus convicted out of his own mouth. The unfortunate part of it is that he has done his fell work, and if he had a thousand lives he could not expiate his terriblo crimes. His trial is au act of justice that must be carried out as a warning that even the highest placed must account ,to his fellow, men for actions that cause, misery, I suffering, and loss of life.