ORGY OF HATRED SURPASSING PAST ATROCITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16502, 30 March 1917, Page 5

ORGY OF HATRED SURPASSING PAST ATROCITIES.

GEN. HINDENBUEG PERSONALLY ORDERS DEVASTATION ; Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. NEW YORK, March 23. Mr. W. Williams, Paris correspondent of the New York Times, who claims to bo the first civilian to survey the whole 300 square miles of ~ reconquered territory, cables: —" I have looked into the utter blackIs ness of the German soul. Past atrocities are trifling compared with this orgy o? hatred, frightfulness, and wilful destruction, which is indescribable. 1 " 1 was impressed by the enormous strength of the evacuated |jf. positions. The main concrete line appeared to be impregnable, and there was practically a ten-mile barrier of barbed wire of solid form ition. ||; K "I am convinced that the inhabitants have lived in bondage worse •.n'- than that of a galley slave. American food was received, but much . was taken by the Germans themselves. Old men, women, and children and cripples were left near the charred remains of their houses. Young , Women and girls were herded with the retreating army into a slavery one does not dare to contemplate. One woman told me that her hus- ' band was shot, her two sons sent to bondage, and her three daughters forcibly carried (iff. This is a typical experience. , J LONDON, March 28. life' Mr. Philip Gibbs mentions that General Hindenburg visited Roisel Oil March 10 and personally directed the retirement and ordered the devastation of the abandoned country. , mm . .