THE EMDEN’S VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18291, 14 June 1929, Page 6

THE EMDEN’S VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND.

SIDELIGHTS OF THE WAR. (Contributed.) The dilemma of the civic authorities of Auckland, over the Emden’s visit, must bring very mixed feelings to the returned diggers. Many of them know something of both sides of the question, in reference to the German soldier as a fighter and as a man. The note struck by Captain C. E. W. Bean (as reported in the “Herald” on Monday), stating an unrecorded incident, could very easily be generously supplemented by returned New Zealanders. Consent must be given to the statement that all Germans are not exactly as painted by war propagandists. It is a welcome truth, too long delayed, to say that the German brutalities were vastly over-estimated. Let me place on record another unrecorded action, worthy of consideration, in view of the visit of the German warship. On the first great Somme Push, the New Zealanders pushed, the line over past Fleurs, thus coming up against some of the pick of the German army. We had every opportunity to gain first-hand evidence of their nature as an enemy. As fighters, they were dogged and stubborn in action—out of action. Just ordinary men. So this incident happened one bitter, cold, wet, miserable night in September. The Canterbury boys had been over in a raid and back again. The fight had been mfxed and stubborn. After having taken up their positions again in their own front line, a plaintive cry of “Kamarad! Engelish!” was head out in No Man’s Land. The night wore on, bitter and cold, and the cry continued to ring out, almost continuously. More than once a man was tempted to hurl a bomb out Into the darkness of that shell hole to quieten that voice, but some humane Instinct stayed the hand. Morning dawned, and some, more daring than others, ventured out, well prepared for the least sign of treachery—for we had been well innoculated with the Idea of German treachery. Breasting the edge o'f the hole, with bombs ready, they came upon the voice of the night. There lay a half stripped sturdy young German soldier covering a bundle of clothing with his own body, shivering with the exposure of that awful night. The men were greeted again with “Kamarad, Engelish.” Such a sight soon disarmed suspicion. Hurriedly the men dropped into the shell hole, to discover underneath that bundle of clothing, one of their own officers—wounded—watched over and cared for by this young enemy, who did not hesitate to strip himself that the wounded man might have warmth and shelter through the bitter cold hours of that September night. This noble sacrifice alone saved that officer’s life. Quickly both men were taken into the front trench. One to receive medical attention, the other to be warmly thanked as a man! Surely as a people we are big enough to realise that we have nothing to lose by being generous to such an enemy of the past. They were hard fighters, and we heartily disliked some of their methods, but that is past, we have a future to build up. There is only one way and that is to forge tthe evil, and develop the good. They can prove themselves worthy friends If given a fair chance —from experience we know it. We have our chance, let us be big enough to take it and offer friendship.