CAPTIVE'S LETTER

Southland Times, Issue 17653, 10 February 1916, Page 3

CAPTIVE'S LETTER

“A TERRIBLE FAR." INDICTMENT OF KAISER. Among a number of similar documents are three letters found upon a German soldier made prisoner on October 30 at the time of the German counter-attack upon Tabure. in Champagne. It has often been asked what are the feelings of Gorman Social . Democrats actually engaged in the war. The most interesting of these letters is a sort of profession of faith or hick of faith — on the subject which the soldier in question, who belonged to the 1 loth Infantry, had written and addressed to his family, against the possibility of his being killed in the coming engagement. It is as follows: — "Dear Parents, Dear Brothers and .Sisters, —l am still well, and hope it is the same with yon. But in the next few days terrible events will happen, and who knows if we will come out of them safe and sound? Things will not go here as simply as in Russia. Wo, can see that already. These lines, therefore, will carry you my last farewell if fate should decide against me. ".May you for many years continue in pood health and 1 do not die for the ideas that heroes in slippers call love of the Fatherland. 1 shall be one more victim of this lamentable madness that has seized upon all the peoples. •T have often dreamed of a new kingdom in which all the nations would be fraternally united, and there would bo no more racial differences: in which there would be one kingdom and one people such as that for which in times of peace the Social Democrats had prepared the way, but which in thus war is shown, alas! to bo unrealisablc. Fit CSX RATED ASPIRATION’S. "1 hoped to become a party leader, the editor of a great journal, to contribute towards the gathering of the different peoples in an ideal community. That was my aspiration; 1 was still young, and I had educated myself in that direction. "Now this terrible war lias been unchained, fomented by a row men, who are sending their subjects, their slaves rather, to the battlefields to slay each other like animals. For this war lias horribly degenerated—hand grenades, mines, and. what is worst of all, asphyxiating shells, gases, and chlorine, arc now the chief weapons in close fighting. "I should like to go towards those they call our enemies and say to them; ’Brothers;, lot ns light together; the enemy is behind ns.’ Yes, since 1 have been wearing this uniform I do not feel any hatred toward those who arc in front; hut my hatred has grown against those who have power in their hands. CONFESSION OF DEVILRY.

••\Vc Gormans wish to be at the head of the nations; arc wc more advanced Ilian a thousand year.-# ago? We have invented the most murderous weapons; even the terrible attacks by mean.; of chin’. ;ue were first made by us. It is very possible I shall not return from the coming engagement: but for all those who do return it should he a sacred aim to avenge themselves on the .-.mall nu:nh.r of those who have on their conscience hundreds of thousands of human lives."

The other two letters are from the soldier's father, who speaks of the rise of prices anil from a Berlin friend, who shares his socialist opinions. "To approve tin; gigantic plans of German Imperialism in the East would," he says, "be to commit suicide in order to enjoy a better life."