KAISER ON THE SOMME

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 148, 20 December 1916, Page 8

KAISER ON THE SOMME

SPEECH TO TROOPS.

In the course of the Kaiser's • stay in the Somme sector in October he reviewed, troops drawn up near Cambrai, addressing them as follows: —

"Comrades, —Following the impulse of my heart, I have hurried, from the Eastern front to you. I bring you greetings from your comrades,. and thanks from the Fatherland for your three months' fierce fighting on the Somme, and for. the heroic manner in which you have fought. The world's history knows of nothing like the fight in which you are taking part, and the greatness of your deeds. For centures to come the battle on the Somme will stand as a brilliant example of a whole nation's determination to conquer. In you this determination is personified, the determination under all circumstances to "prevent the enemy from crushing us, and in all circumstances to resist French arrogance and British obstinacy.

"From all parts of Germany you are fighting here together as an iron wall representing German sense of duty and devoted bravery to the last breath. In tenacious_ fighting on all sides the German nation is standing against half the world, and against manifold superiority, and if it becomes hard, and if it lasts still a long time, the Lord of creation is with you. The Fatherland prayed to Him for you, and He gave you strength and bravery. Your bravery relying on God is rooted in the feeling that you are fighting for a just cause. In this sense 1 greet you. Comrades, hold on. O.ur Lord will bless you to the last."