THE NURSE'S STORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11512, 7 October 1915, Page 4

THE NURSE'S STORY.

I + AMONG THE GERMAN PRISONERS IN A FIELD HOSPITAL. For the last few days I had been doing extra work in the German prisconers' ward. Some way 'they came to know that I was from America, which made them eager to chat with me—in fact, so eager that it was only with difficulty I prevented it interfering with lay work. Ono especially—he was, I should think, about thirtytivo years old—a non-commissioned officer of the Laudwchr who had risen to a lieutenancy. J-Ie did not look at all like a typical German officer nor were his mental processes that of this class. Of course his patriotism did not permit him to harbour any doubt of his country's ultimate success, but neither did lie liido his desire for an eitrly peace. "You know," he said to us as we changed his dressings and gave him his treatment, " Germany does not aspire to reduce Franco to vassalage," and when the orderly said something about Alsace-Lorraine, he answered that there might be some sort of an exchange arranged—Franco take back Alsace-Lorraine and Germany receive compensation jn colonies. "We are so misunderstood," ho .repeated constantly. " Germany did not want war now —now* or at any time, but realised when sho saw France's thrco years military service in full swing and when Russia had built her endless system of strategic railroads, with tho help of French money, that Germany would be between tho upper and nether millstone." . . . Ana as for German atrocities, he_ admitted thorn, but vehemently laid the blame at the door of the Bavarians, who, to.gnote his own words, "were an obviously inferior people." GOD PUNISH ENGLAND. To get to tho German ward I could go outdoors, through a court, and pass in by a French window. I often did this, as it gave me a breath of air. It was twilight, but tho lamps had not yet been lighted; rubber-soled shoes made my approach noiseless, and as I came upon the little group of German prisoners I heard one of them say:— " Russia will want peace in tho early summer, and France will seize tho first possible opportunity to abandon tho struggle, which will leave Germany free to fight it out with her true enemy —England.' l At which one of them picked up his glass—lie was taking a tonic that was a little like Dubonnet and which gave an excuse, for a toast —but instead of the, cheery "Prosit" where the German usually uses, he looked solemnly into the faces of his comrades, blinking like an owl, and said with an unmistakable vibration of hate in his voice, " God punish England!''' And the others, with equal feeling, responded, "God puni«h her!" I was amassed at this. I had never heard it before, and frankly said so. Thcv ass. ur red me that in place of the time-honoured " Auf Wiederscheu," | ono often now hears this even as a leave-taking. It originated with tho officers and men in the iield, but now I all over Germany it was with i sincerity and earnestness. A BAVARIAN NOBLEMAN. I was always interested in their point of view, for the three who had remained with us owing to the condition of their wounds, were educated and representative Germans. Apart from their hatred of England, frankly expressed, they were courteous, agreeable gentlemen. Ono Mas a Bavarian nobleman whoso taste was evidently luxurious, for when he came to us his buttons cigarette box. and wristwatch. everything except the inevitable plain gold bangle, wero literally encrusted with enamel, diamonds and rubies. "Tell me the news," bo asked. They were forever eagerly asking for news. "Well," I said, "Kitchener has his extra, million men. That ought to please you." "Well, it doesn't make mo sad," ho replied, "because wo know that for all their drumming and advertisement, Kitchener can not got the men, and the English won't tolerate conscription. In fact, it is too late for that now, as it would be a. confession of failure ,; and besides, what will you do with a million men without officers? Wo know how long it takes to train an officer—they do not. As for tho French, I am sorry for them," ho said. " Poor devil's! They would like to mako peace in time. .Hat you know," he gravely assured me. *" English troops are drawn up behind them all along the line, which is a constant threat if they should attempt to give way. Why.'' ami ho raised lip eagerly, •'England lia.s even threatened to bombard their ports if they do." BENEFITS OF A HEATING. "A good beating will bo England's salvation,"' added one of the others. "Think of the effect on future generations of Englishmen, when they ask why some parts of London are so much more beautiful and batter built than the rest! The answer will be that that part is superior because Germany robnilt it when it wsts destroyed by the Germans in the great war/' Tho seriousness; with which tins was said proved too much for mv nsiblos. I was sorry, but 1 could not help it. .f simply had to laugh.—l rom " the