THE TRAGEDY OF WAR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 6688, 13 August 1919, Page 3

THE TRAGEDY OF WAR.

j FBANCE "BLED WHITE." COMMENTS BY SIB J. Q. WABD. Christchurch, August 11. Speaking of the devastation wrought by the Gormans in Northern France, Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of a chat with a press reporter, cited the cases of Bheims and of Soissons. In both cities there practically not one stono left on another, the havoc and destruction being most complete. Much the same applied tq tho town of Albort. There aro hardly any Jjraces left of what was once a flourishing centre. "You want to see the whole thing in order to really form an idea of the tromendous destruction and the widespread naturo of it," Sir Josoph added. There is not only the reparation for cities destroyed, he went on to say, but also for large areas of agricultural and pastoral land made unfit for use. At one place 100 miles from Paris, he and his party were prevented from going on by French soldiers. In a quarter of an hour there was a tremendous upheaval, caused by tho explosion of bombs and shells which had not vono off whon fired by the enemy, and whiih had been gathered in a hoap and fired for safety. They had been taken from ground that was about to be ploughed. There wero thousands of such "duds," and- men and women in France who returned to their farms wen) killed by them. France had been " hied white'' not only as regards men, but also as regards buildings. As to repaying, the only regrettable thing aboift it was that to secure it Gerinany murft bo given an opportunity to trido wifli tho countries with which sheXwas recently. "It is a sad commantary on our ■ ichievements as 'victors!" commented Sir Joseph, "but it is a hard °aet all Jie samo."