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Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15335, 25 September 1917, Page 7

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AN IMPEOBABLE STORY. A young American business man, who returned recently from Holland and spent some time in Germany before the United States declared a state of war, says the German Government has a terrific explosive, which is being held in reserve to the last. That explosive was discovered by a German professor of chemistry, he eays, and for months hiis been experimented with in very small quantities. Its force is so uemendous and the damage it can lnfiot so frightful that even the Prussians have hesitated to make use of [t th us far, it is declared. When the Government feels that it no longer can holj out against the Allies, and whin tlie invasion of the German Empire •-appearimminent, it is said, bojnbs contain the explosive will be used as a last resort. The assertion that the Governu:<."ib is in possession of the explosive lias been disseminated quietly throughout the Empire. It is said that a bomb weighing scarcely ten kilometres can annihilate everything a radius of two thousand feet. Prussian military experts are quoted as having figured that ten aeroplanes armed with Ihe explosive could fly over a city and destroy it within, a few minutes, surpassing in frightfulness anything tht the world has yet seen. The reason the German Government has not yet used the alleged explosive is "fear of a Niagara of criticism and indignation from the outside world," it is explained. He eays Germany is in a desperate position. Not a church I *-bell remains :n Germany, as all have been seized by the Government and melted for war purposes. There is no longer any leather for shoes or wool or cotton for clothing, and it is believed that Germany cannot go through another winter of war. Soap is not obtainable at all. Sold'ora daily go from house, to house in the cities, towns, and villages, and make an inventory of the food on hand, always taking some away with x them for the use of the army.