THE atrocities committed by the Germans in France and Belgium should induce all eligible Australians to enlist, for they show at a glance what Germany will do to Australia if she is ever allowed to come here.
It is vitally important to remember in this connection that the only guarantee that she will not come here now or later lies in an outright victory for the Allies – a victory which every eligible Australian should at this moment be helping to win.
By far the most terrible document published since the War began – perhaps, indeed, the most terrible document ever given to the world is the official report of the British Commission appointed to examine into the Belgian atrocities.
The report is a terrible record of cruelty and lust. Captives and non-combatants were systematically mutilated by the German Army, apparently in accordance with some secret and hideous injunction set down in the devil’s handbook of “frightfulness.”
Civilians were freely shot, apparently for the sheer joy of murder. Little children were mutilated, and women were repeatedly violated and then hacked to death, so that their bodies became unrecognisable.
Here are two instances of mutilation:
“In the blacksmith’s shop in Hofstade I saw the blacksmith dead with his hands cut off and his wrists still tied.
Our whole company saw him, I should think.
In another house I saw a child of 10 to 11 years kneeling; he was dead, a bayonet had been stuck through his chest.
“The other woman was about 20 years old. She had a bayonet wound in the head and her legs had been cut almost off. The whole room was covered in blood. The bodies of the two women were lying side by side, and that of the man a little apart.
We entered another house further on, on the same side of the road. In the downstairs room was a hanging lamp, and a boy of about 10 years of age was hanging to it by a piece of string. The string was round his neck.
He has a bayonet wound in the stomach. There was a pool of blood under the body. The blood had dried, I think. I did not touch any of these four bodies.”
The atrocities on women should come home with terrible force to every Australian who values his manhood.
Such loathsome acts as the following were of repeated occurrence:
“When we entered Hofstade in August last, or some village near to it, a girl of about 18 or 19 years of age complained to me and my comrades (four) that she had been violated by several German soldiers for a period of about two hours before we entered the village on the threshold of a house in full daylight and in view of villagers.
When I saw her she was covered only with a chemise and skirt.”
In the name of humanity, every Australian of military age is today asked to enlist, so that these horrors may be avenged, and the world may be made safe for ever from the possibility of their recurrence.
If Germany is not beaten, Australian homes may yet be visited by the Hun during the lifetime of you to whom this appeal is addressed.
Go forth and play your part.
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MRS. W. P. Mason of “Tally Oh’’ requests us to notify that she intends to form an orchestra in Frankston for patriotic purposes and will be pleased if those willing to join will notify her at the above address.
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ON Tuesday, 19th November, at 3 o’clock, M r Bernard Michael will offer for sale it the Royal hotel, Dandeuong, a farm property at Carrum, known as Walsh’s, containing 100 acres (about), Situated two miles from Seaford and Frankston Railway Stations by a good road.
There is four rooms 1 wooden house and out buildings.
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REV J. E. Warren, of Balaclava, will conduct the three services on Sunday next in connection with the Frankston Methodist Sunday School Anniversary.
A special feature will be the singing of the children, assisted by an efficient orchestra.
On the following Monday evening there will be a public entertainment, when an attractive programme will be presented.
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STRAYED into my Paddock, Humphries Road, Frankston, Chestnut Pony, white face, two white spots on back, no visible brands.
Owner can have same by paying expenses.
T. REEVES, Frankston,
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A.I.F. Xmas Book. An unexpected opportunity is now afforded the public of Australia to secure copies of a second great souvenir of the part played by Australians in the war.
This is the “A.I.F. Xmas Book” previously issued only to the troops overseas.
It forms a companion publication of the “Anzac Book” a few copies of which are still obtainable.
While the “Anzac Book” dealt with the campaign in Gallipoli, the “Xmas Book” relates wholly to the briliant exploits of the Australians in France.
It contains over 150 engravings ranging from grave to gay and covers the period from the arrival of the A.I.F. in France to the date of issue.
There are pictures of every battlefield over which the Australians fought.
These were taken at frequent intervals in the actual fighting at Florubaix. Armentieres, Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, the Somme in winter, Flers, Martinpuich, Le Sars Bapaume, Bullecourt, the Hindenburg Line, Measines, Polygon Wood and Ypres.
The “Xmas Book” has been described by a high British authority as “the finest collection of war photographs I have yet seen.”
It has been published under the direction of a committee composed of Major General N. M. Symth, Major General E. G. Sinclair Maclagan and Mr C. E. W. Bean official war correspondent.
For Australia the sale of the “Xmas Book” has been placed in the hands of a committee of which Mr Thomas Trumble, secretary for Defence, is chairman.
Copies may be had at 4s 6d each from leading booksellers.
They are not to be sold to the public in Great Britain and when present supplies are exhausted it will be impossible to secure copies as the book will not be reprinted.
Already £4,500 has been paid into the troops patriotic funds from the sale of the books and it is hoped that a further substantial contribution will result from the sale affected in Australia.
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Our Letter Box. TO THE EDITOR
Sir, An earnest endeavour is now being made to establish a sub branch of the returned sailors’ and soldiers’ Imperial League in Frankston.
A meeting is called for Saturday, 16th inst., in the Mechanics’ Institute, at 7 p.m.
In reply to Mr C. Wood’s letter of an earlier date, the bye-laws and rules of the constitution, as already established in various sub branches, will be adopted.
Dealing with memberships, the rule reads: Any person who has served in, or with, the British army or navy, on active service, and who is not now eligible for enlistment will be entitled to membership.
Hoping to see a good number.
V. N. HYNDES.
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From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 9 November 1918