When one sits down to think, there are few things in connection with
the devastating War now raging, wild-beast-like, almost throughout
the length and breadth of Europe, so appalling as the application of
science and man’s genius to the work of decimating the human species.
Early in the conflict, which is being fought for the basal principles
of civilisation and moral human conduct, one was made to realise that
the Allied Powers were opposed to an enemy whose resources were only
equalled by his utter negation of the rules of civilised warfare.
Soon, to the horrors of machine-guns and of high-explosive shells
of a calibre and intensity of destructive force never before known,
were added the diabolical engines for pouring over the field of
battle asphyxiating gases. We know the horrors of that mode of German
“frightfulness,” and some of us have seen its effects in the slowly
dying victims in hospitals. But that was not enough. Yet other methods
of “frightfulness” and savagely which would have disgraced the most
ruthless conquerors of old, were to be applied by the German Emperor in
his blasphemous “Gott mit uns” campaign. And against the gallant sons
of Belgium, France, England, and Russia in turn were poured out with
bestial ingenuity the jets and curtains of “liquid fire” which seared
the flesh and blinded the eyes. For this there will be a reckoning if
God be still in heaven whilst the world trembles with the shock of
conflict, and the souls of men are seared.
Raemaekers in this cartoon shows not only the horror of such a method
of warfare, but also, with unerring pencil, the unwavering spirit of
the men who have to meet this “frightfulness.” There is a land to be
redeemed, and women and children to be avenged, and so the fighting men
of the allied nations go gallantly on with their stern, amazed faces
set towards victory.