"LOOK AT THE MAP."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16960, 11 April 1917, Page 7

"LOOK AT THE MAP."

A HUN TO HIS KAISER

"Look at the map!" your Majesty? What is the map to me ? Look at my starving children, sireFruit of your " victory" ! ■ Look at my dead, son's shattered form, Slain on vie West—n front! . If his life purchased victory, Why do I bear the brunt? If his life purchased victory, Where is "my children's meat? If this is the price of victory, AJi Highest, give ..us 'def eat. "Look at the map!" I've looked, sire, And what is the thing I see? Great and prosperous Germany Shorn of each colony! Where is the stately shipping That traversed the oceans wide, Or, riding into Hamburg, Brought wealth on every tide? And why in our ports lie skulking The keels of our mghty fleet? All Highest, if uns is victory, For God's sake give us defeat! "Look at the map!" I'm looking— But long though I gaze and stare, I find, great HohenrJlern, Little that comforts there. True, our frontiers are wider, Farther our flag now flies, But—this is the spot, All Highest, Where my dead son now lies! , Look from your .palace window On the maimed men in the street! If they are the price of victory, I pray God for defeat! " Look at the map!" I hate it! ' Show me some food instead! Bring back my ruined business „ And give back my son, who's dead! Bring back those days of pleasure, Prosperity and peace, Through which we saw our German wealth And happiness increase! Bring back the friendly faces We never more may greet! Since victory means misery, Then win for vs —defeat! ■ \\ " Look at the map !" I curse it. Why crave we neighbours' land, If ga.ining it we lose what's more — The grip of a friendly hand? Your insane .--ist of conquest Has won us world-wide hate— Remember Nabob's vineyard And tne envious neighbpu^s fate! Hearken, All Highest Kaiser— Not only I entreat: If these are the fruits of victory, Then give to us defeat! v W. M.