The German Crown Prince being punched by an Allied soldier.
A daily smuggling scene on the Dutch frontier
Neutral countries whose frontiers march with those of Germany have rendered enormous aid to the Central Powers by the supply of materials and food. The general practice of evasion has been to smuggle home produce of all sorts for which high prices were forthcoming and use for local consumption similar products imported from other countries over seas. The imports of many lines of merchandise into Holland alone are known to have increased from fifty to one hundred per cent. compared with pre-war figures.
Dutch women lined up to smuggle good into Germany
Michael: "For my 100 Marks I obtained a receipt. I gave this for second 100 Marks and I received a second receipt. For the third loan I gave the second receipt. Have I invested 300 Marks and has the Government got 300, or have both of us got nothing?"
If we desire the possibility of shaping a peace in accordance with our needs and our vital requirements, we must not forget the question of cost. We must see to it that the whole future livelihood of our people shall, so far as is in any way possible, be relieved of the burden. The leaden weight of thousands of millions is due to the people who got up this war. They, not we, shall drag it along with them. Of course, we know that this is a matter of peculiar difficulty, but everything that can be done in this direction shall be done.
We are paying the money almost exclusively to ourselves, whilst the enemy is paying its loans abroad, a guarantee that in the future we shall maintain the advantage.
Dr. Helfferich,Reichstag, September, 1915.
German holding an IOU
(In Germany there is a game by which children passing a coin from one to another are supposed to, but do not, get richer.)
German statesmen and editors make a boast of the fact that so far they have not raised any war funds by taxation. That is true, but they are pursuing the far less commendable course of raising the money by loans and by "hanky-panky" manipulations of currency paper. Dr. Helfferich, the Imperial Minister of Finance, recently admitted that he dared not impose further taxation, and it is a fair inference that he knew any such proposals would be futile—that the burdens of the German taxpayers are already as heavy as they can bear.
The Nineteenth Century and After.
Three German children passing coins
"Don't breathe on the bubble or the whole will collapse"
The German war loans have been subscribed mainly by the great companies of Germany; by the Savings Banks, the Banks, the Life and Fire Insurance and Accident Insurance Companies, etc.
Furthermore, these loans have been pyramided; that is to say, a man who subscribed and paid for one hundred thousand marks of loan number one could, when loan number two was called for, take the bonds he had bought of loan number one to his bank and on his agreement to spend the proceeds in subscribing to loan number two, borrow from the bank eighty thousand marks on the security of his first loan bonds, and so on.
James W. Gerardin"My Four Years in Germany."
A bubble held up by a 'house of cards'
The Allan LinerHesperianwas torpedoed by a German submarine in the English Channel on the 4th September, 1915; on board were a number of invalided Canadian troops. British admiralty patrol boats were quickly on the spot and succeeded in saving all the passengers and crew with the exception of eight souls.
A nurse and a wounder soldier on a sinking ship
The Press Bureau of the War Office announces that a fleet of hostile airships visited the eastern counties and a portion of the London area last night and dropped bombs.
The following military casualties, in addition to the one announced last night, have been reported: Fourteen killed and thirteen wounded.
The Home Office announces the following casualties other than the military casualties reported above: Killed—Men, 27; women, 9; children, 5; total, 41. Injured—Men, 64; women, 30; children, 7; total, 101.
Of these casualties 32 killed and 95 injured were in the London area, and these figures include those announced last night.
London, October, 1915.
The Kaiser reading the newspaper in bed
"So long as you permit Zeppelins to cross our land you surely should cease to boast of our deeds.
(Whenever a Dutchman wishes to speak of the great past of his country he calls to mind the names of these heroes.)
Many of the Zeppelins that raided English towns and villages crossed over Holland leaving and returning to their bases in Germany. This was held to be a violation of the neutrality of Holland and "pro-Ally" Dutchmen endeavored to make the question an international one.
Van Tromp and De Reuter looking to the skies
The Kaiser: "When the leaves fall you'll have peace."—They have.
The last of the great Austro-German strokes had failed, and before the beginning of October, 1915, the line of the enemy in the east was established precisely where it was to be found unchanged until the great offensive delivered upon its southern part by the Russians in the beginning of June, 1916. Lord Kitchener put the matter simply and in words the accuracy of which could be gauged by the exasperation they caused at Berlin, when he said that the enemy had now in the East "shot his bolt." It was a phrase exactly true. The expense in men, the difficulty of bringing up munitionment; the entry into territories with worse roads and less opportunities of supply; the fact that the line now reached was cut by the great belt of marshes in the centre—all these things between them brought the great adventure to a stand.
Hilaire Belloc.in Land and Water.
Marshes with death and destruction
Until October, 1915, the Austro-Hungarian forces entrusted with the invasion and subjection of Serbia had failed in their objectives.
After an initial success the armies of the Dual Empire met with several defeats and were finally driven across the Danube. At the beginning of the year the Serbian campaign was abandoned and Field Marshal Pottionek in command of the Austrian Armies was removed from his post.
German, Austrian, and Serbian soldiers
"I was a Catholic, but needing Russian help, I became a Greek Orthodox. Now I need the Austrians I again become Catholic. Should things turn out badly I can again revert to Greek Orthodoxy."
Bulgaria must fight at the victor's side. The Germans and Austro-Hungarians are victorious on all fronts. Russia soon will have collapsed entirely. Then will come the turn of France, Italy, and Serbia. Bulgaria would commit suicide if she did not fight on the side of the central powers, which offer the only possibility of realizing her desire for union of all Bulgarian peoples.
In the beginning none could foresee how events would develop and which side would be victorious. If the Government had resolved to participate in the great war it might have committed the fault of joining the side that would have been beaten, and thus jeopardize the existence of the present Bulgarian Empire.
From Bulgarian Manifesto.October, 1915.
King Ferdinand
"Now we can make an end of him"
The Balkan campaign is the easiest task ever intrusted to an army leader. If the present plan is carried out it will be impossible for the Allies to escape capture or disaster, and the only real military task is to accomplish all this with the smallest possible loss to ourselves.
Even with the greatest force the Anglo-French Governments can muster the Germanic armies will outnumber them two to one, while the Austro-German artillery is in the proportion of five to one.
The Azest, Budapest,October, 1915.
Serbian soldier surrounded by towering enemies
(October in Holland is called the "butcher's month," as the flocks are then killed preparatory to the winter.)
On October 7th, 1915, an army of 400,000 Austrians, Hungarians and Germans forced the Danube and commenced the great drive on Serbia; by the 10th the invaders had captured Belgrade. At the same moment the Bulgarians in great force attacked the Serbians on their right flank and by the 28th joined forces with the Teutonic troops.
Central Powers' leaders slaughtering a sheep
On October 13, 1915, about 9:30 at night, fire opened from the skies on the centre of London. That same evening parts of the Eastern Counties were attacked. In London alone 32 were killed and 95 injured, and the total casualties for the whole area of the raid that night were 56 killed and 113 wounded. A number of houses were damaged, and several fires started. Most of the victims were ordinary working folk, doing their ordinary work. Motor omnibus conductors died in the street, a messenger boy was killed when delivering a message, a potman died at his work, a caterer was killed while returning from a Masonic lodge, a carman's daughter was injured in the legs and lingered until the next morning, a waitress was done to death while returning from a Young Women's Guild, and so on.
Times History of the War.
The Kaiser and children in body bags.
The Kaiser: "Who is this man?"
The German Emperor will spend Christmas in Constantinople at the head of his victorious troops.
The Pesti-Napols, Budapest.October, 1915.
The Kaiser on horseback with Jesus on the back of an ass
It must not be forgotten that Greece is an independent nation that disposes of its fate in full sovereignty. The Austro-German attack on Serbia releases Greece at least from the obligation of armed intervention, and independent of that attack it is materially impossible for Serbia to give Greece the support of 150,000 men stipulated in the treaty in case of war with Bulgaria, the Entente powers have not furnished a contingent equivalent.
Grecian Note of October 26, 1915.
I deplored the fact that Serbia is being left to be crushed by Bulgaria, Greece's hereditary enemy, who will not scruple later to fall on Greece herself.
From speech ofVenizelosbefore dissolution of his Government.November 3, 1915.
Ancient Greek and King Constantine I
The extermination of Armenian Christians, Autumn of 1915
These atrocities had as their deliberate object the extermination of the Armenian race, and it is not difficult to assess the guilt. The guilt lay with the Young Turkish Government at Constantinople and with the local officials who acted in collusion with them. But there was a greater criminal even than the Young Turkish Government, for behind Turkey stood the country that was Turkey's ally and the dominant partner in the policy she pursued. There was a considerable variation in the conduct of individual Germans in Turkey. The German missionaries seem to have stood laudably by their principles, and the German Vice-Consul at Erzerum is said to have sent the exiles relief. But in the Aleppo province and Cilicia the German officials, both military and civil, threw themselves actively into the Young Turks' scheme; at Moush and Van German officers are believed to have participated directly in the slaughter, and at Erzerum they are reported to have taken their share of the Armenian girls.
Times History of the War.
Central Powers mocking Jesus
If the Porte considers it necessary that Armenian insurrections can either go on or should be crushed so as to exclude all possibility of their repetition, then there is no murder and no atrocity, but simply measures of a justifiable and a necessary kind.
Count von Reventlow.
I was asked last night to define German militarism, and there is the definition (above) in the devilish spirit of such a judgment and excuse for the cowardly massacre of 800,000 human beings, not all men, but thousands of women and children.
T. P. O'Connor, M.P.House of Commons,London, November 16, 1915.
Jesus driving the Kaiser and Kings out of the temple of humanity
"Fighting with the Bulgarians against the Turk I lost my brothers, my sons fell fighting with the Greeks against Bulgaria, but only when the Germans came were my wife and children killed."
In the three districts of Polzerie, Matchva, and Yadar, the various kinds of death and torture inflicted were apportioned as follows:
Serbian Government Report,Professor R. A. Reiss,University of Lausanne,Switzerland.
The old Serb
Von Bethmann-Hollweg: "The worst of it is, I must always deny having been there."
In reality none of our enemies has approached us with suggestions of peace. Our enemies have rather considered it to their interest to attribute to us falsely offers of peace. Both facts have the same explanation—self-deception beyond compare, which we would only make worse if we approached them with peace proposals, instead of waiting for them to come to us.
Von Bethmann-Hollweg.Reichstag, December 5, 1915.
Von Bethmann-Hollweg being kicked out
In true comradeship the glorious triumphal march of your Majesty's nation in arms began, which, under the guidance of its illustrious War Lord, has added one sublime leaf of glory to another in the history of Bulgaria. In order to give visible expression to my feelings for such deeds, and to the feelings of all Germany, I have begged your Majesty to accept the dignity of Prussian Field Marshal, and I am, with my army, happy that you, by accepting it, also in this sensehave become one of us.
TheGerman EmperortoKing Ferdinandof Bulgariaat Nish, Serbia, December, 1916.
King Ferdinand
The Kaiser: "Don't bother about your people, 'Tino. They must do what we say."
The Venizelist "Patris" took another view of the situation on the same date:
Only those who are unable to foresee things, or who are panic-stricken, would be unable to foretell the evolution of the events immediately following the Austro-German attack on Serbia. The Central Empires, not disposing enough troops for this campaign, needed the Bulgars, with whom they associated; but they also needed the neutrality of Greece, because without it Bulgaria would be unable to cooperate with them, as she would have to defend herself against Greece. In order to secure Bulgar help, the Austro-Germans used the method of compensation. The whole of Serbian Macedonia, a part of Old Serbia, an exit on the Adriatic Sea, concessions at the expense of Turkey—all this was a part of the national problem of the Bulgarian lust of conquest. It was in this way that the Bulgarians undertook the assassin's job of striking Serbia from behind. In order to secure the neutrality of Greece, the Austro-Germans resorted to the Prussian method of terrorism, inasmuch as no other concessions and compensations were at hand. Both methods have been equally successful.
The Athens "Patris" Current History.Special Staff Correspondence. December, 1915.
Central Powers' leaders
As painted by the German Chancellor
It is well known that France granted loans to Russia only under the condition that it develop its Polish fortresses and railroads against us; also that England and France regarded Belgium as their route of advance against us. We must protect ourselves politically and militarily against this, and also insure our economic development.
As I said on Aug. 19, we are not the ones who are threatening the small nations. We are battling in this struggle, forced upon us, not to subjugate foreign nations, but to protect our life and freedom. This war remains for the German Government what it was in the beginning and what has been maintained in every pronunciamento—a defensive war of the German Nation for its future.
Von Bethmann-Hollweg.Reichstag, December 9, 1915.
Von Bethmann-Hollweg and a painted woman
"What are you firing at? The British left twenty-four hours ago!"
"Sorry, Sir—and what a glorious victory."
The enemy were completely deceived. On the afternoon of December 20, 1915, a vigorous attack was begun in the Cape Helles area against some trenches at the head of the Krithia ravine. With the help of fire from warships, the trenches were taken with small loss, and held against counter-attacks delivered that night. This operation helped to divert the enemy's attention. At 3.30A. M. on the morning of December 21 a huge mine was exploded by the Anzacs near Russell's Top. The Turks thought the Anzacs were about to attack, and for forty minutes they blazed away furiously with their rifles at the empty trenches. The Australians left many letters of farewell to the Turks, assuring them that they were clean fighters and that the Australians hoped to meet them again.
Times History of the War.
The retirement from Gallipoli was one of the finest operations in military or naval history. It will take an imperishable place in our national history.
H. H. Asquith,Prime Minister,House of Commons, January 10, 1916.
Ottoman Emperor with soldier
"The holy war is at the door"
St. Joseph boarding up the entrance to the stable
The British LinerPersiawas sunk by a German submarine on December 30, 1915, southeast of Crete, while on her way to the Orient. American Consul McNeeley, on his way to his post at Arden, was among the 335 persons who lost their lives, of which two or more were Americans.
Monster devouring the floating dead
We are not going to grow weary. France has confidence because you are there. How often have I heard your officers say: "Never, in any age, have we had a finer army. Never have men been better trained, braver, more heroic than ours!" Everywhere that I have seen you I have felt myself tremble with admiration and hope. You will conquer. The year now opening will bring you, my friends, the pride of finishing the defeat of the enemy, the joy of returning to your homes, and the sweetness of celebrating the victory there amid those you love.
The President of Franceto French Troops, January, 1916.
A French solider
"I commenced this as the entry into Paris, but I must finish it as the entry into Nish"
Hail Emperor, Cæsar and King! Thou art victor and glorious. In ancient Nish all the peoples of the East salute thee, the redeemer, bringing to the oppressed prosperity and salvation.
King Ferdinand of Bulgariato the German EmperorOn the occasion of thetriumphal entry of the twoMonarchs into Nish. January, 1916.
Court painter
In January, 1916, Field Marshal Baron von der Goltz was appointed commander in chief of the Turkish Armies in the Caucasus. The serious nature of the Turkish situation in the Caucasus seems to have been realised in Berlin but the veteran German general was unable to stem the advance of the victorious Russians who were shortly afterwards to capture the great fortress of Erzerum with its entire garrison, guns and supplies.
Field Marshal Baron von der Goltz riding on a camel
On September 9, 1914, Joseph Walker enlisted for the duration of the war; on January 11, 1916, the sea bore his dead body to the dyke at West Capelle. This afternoon, at 1P.M., while the northwest wind whistled over Walcheren, the English soldier was buried in the churchyard of West Capelle.
First the vice-consul in the name of England spread the British flag over him who for England had sacrificed his young life. Four men of West Capelle carried the coffin outside and placed it at the foot of the tower, that old gray giant, which has witnessed so much world's woe, here opposite the sea. It was a simple, but touching ceremony.
"Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live.... He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down." Thus spoke the voice of the minister and the wind carried his words, and the wind played with the flag of England, the flag that flies over all seas, in Flanders, in France, in the Balkans, in Egypt, as the symbol of threatened freedom—the flag whose folds here covered a fallen warrior.
And in the roaring storm we went our way. There was he carried, the soldier come to rest, and the flag fluttered in the wind and wrapped itself round that son of England. Then the coffin sank into the ground and the hearts of us, the departing witnesses, were sore. Earth fell on it, and the preacher said: "Earth to earth, dust to dust."
From the Amsterdam Telegraaf,January, 1916.
The Burial of Private Walker
The little Kingdom of Montenegro was conquered by the Austrians in January, 1916. Although the Austrians were present in overwhelming force, a substantial part of the Montenegrin Army were able to escape and join the Serbs who were in Albania.
Upon the fall of Montenegro, the Kaiser invited the King to accept German hospitality in Berlin. The King refused and escaped to France, taking up his residence at Lyon.
The Kaiser and the King of Montenegro
"Come and save me, you know I am fond of children"
On February 1, 1916, the small fishing trawlerKing Stephenfrom Grimsby found the German Zeppelin L 19 floating in the North Sea with her crew clinging to her. The captain of the trawler refused to take the crew of the Zeppelin on board his boat, fearing he would be overpowered and captured. His action caused a great outcry in Germany, notwithstanding the fact that the Zeppelin was doubtless responsible for the death of many women and children in England and had actually dropped a bomb on a steamer during the previous night and left the crew to perish.
Zeppelin L 19 sinking
"Halt"
The assault on the forts (Erzerum) and the principal position lasted from February 11 till February 15 inclusive. After we had taken the forts on the left flank of the principal Turkish line of defense, extending about 27 miles, the fate of the forts in the centre and on the right flank, and, after them, of the second line forts and the principal defensive position, was decided on February 16 after short attacks. These fortifications, which were full of Turkish dead, remained in our possession.
During the assault on the fortress several Turkish regiments were annihilated or made prisoners with all their officers. On the line of forts alone we took 197 pieces of artillery of various calibres in good condition. In the defence works of the central fortress we took another 126 pieces of artillery. In the fortified region of Erzerum we took a large number of depôts of various kinds, which have already been mentioned by the Headquarter Staff. The exact number of Turkish prisoners is 235 officers and 12,753 men.
Russian Official Report onthe Capture of Erzerum.
A Russian soldier striking a German soldier
The Turk: "But he is so great."
William: "No one is great save Allah and I am his Prophet."
About the time Turkey became involved in the war a telegram was published as having been sent from Kaiser Wilhelm to the Crown Prince announcing with evident satisfaction that the supreme Moslem authorities at Constantinople had given their sanction to the declaration of a Holy War against Russia, England, and France "as oppressors of the Moslems." At one time it looked as though the aspirations implied by this message might be carried out. There was a mutiny at Singapore in which Moslem troops were implicated; there were outbreaks in the Italian Tripolitana and among the Senoussi tribesmen on the western border of Egypt; there was at least a threat against the Suez Canal, from the direction of Beersheba, and there was, or seemed to be, the possibility of a pro-German uprising in Persia. The advance of the Russians from the Caspian has dissipated this last possibility; the Suez Canal is no longer even threatened; the Senoussi have given their submission. Finally, from India, from Sultan Mohammed Aga Khan, who is the spiritual head of the many million Moslems in India, comes a declaration which shows that the hopes of a holy war, as it seems to have been expected in Germany, were never anything more than a myth.
"Current History," New York.