MINISTERED TO ENEMY.

Mataura Ensign, 14 June 1916, Page 4

MINISTERED TO ENEMY.

The Briti«h press, bitter though if is toward. G-ermany and most things German, is never tdow to pay tribute to an act of heroism even though t.hat act be pel-formed by an enemy. An stance of this is found in t\it' publication of a. letter written to the 'Daily News' by a soldier who tells how a. German priest, ministered to British fcoldierr: in rheir dying moments. In the course of a spirited action in and between trenches two young British officers and five men were severely wounded.' "Their -position was helj>less," writes t.he soldier, "for it was impossible to rescue them. Despite our tremendous- lire the Germans with fixed bayonets fried to reach the party, and their intention was'obvious. They got within a Jew yards of the wounded, when one of their number sprang in, front of them and Hashed a crucifix. 'Stop!' he shouted, and then he knelt by the side of our men ami blessed them. The other Germans immediately withdrew. "Then we managed to reach the wounded, and our officer thanked the priest, for the, brave way in which he had behaved in the face of hk own men. 'Take me,' said the priest: 'I am votir prisoner.' The officer said he would not do that, but he would see. thai he returned to the German line unharmed. Tho promise, was kept and before, they parted the priest, falling on his knees, thanked our officer warmly, adding:, •God bless you, and good luck!' "