A FRESH COMB-OUT

Supplementing all this there has been a further combing out, which is still in progress, of the civilian population in Germany. Here is an example. In the last few weeks, the Dutch towns near the frontier have noticed a cessation of the hitherto regular visits of German businessmen. From one of the few survivors, it is learned that his colleagues, who up to now have been spared in the interests of trade with Holland, have just been seized under the Auxiliary Service Act for war work. Connected with the cotton and dyeing business, these particular men, having a certain amount of technical knowledge, have all been sent into the poison gas factories. This is only an illustration of what, according to my information, is going on all over Germany, of the further sacrifices being laid upon the nation by the military and Ludendorff. Partly, no doubt, this new comb-out is compelled by the necessity or making good the fearful losses of the last six weeks. Just over the Dutch frontier is Gronau, a place of about 1,200 inhabitants. In that small place, news has been received that no fewer than 34 of its men serving were killed during the first stage of the offensive. The neighbouring town, Burgsteinfurt, of about the same population, lost 24 of its male members in the same period. telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive