In the three districts of Polzerie, Matchva, and Yadar, the various kinds of death and torture inflicted were apportioned as follows:

_Males_ _Females_ Victims shot 345 64 Victims killed with knives 113 27 Victims hanged 7 6 Victims ma.s.sacred and clubbed to death with sticks and 48 26 b.u.t.t-ends of rifles Victims disemboweled 2 4 Victims burned alive 35 96 Victims pinioned and robbed 52 12 Victims whose arms were cut off, torn off, or broken 5 1 Victims whose legs were cut off or broken 3 0 Victims whose noses were cut off 28 6 Victims whose ears were cut off 31 7 Victims whose eyes were put out 30 38 Victims whose genital organs were mutilated 3 3 Victims whose skin was cut in strips, or portions of 15 3 their face detached Victims stoned 12 1 Victims whose b.r.e.a.s.t.s were cut off 0 2 Victims cut in pieces 17 16 Victims beheaded 1 0 Little girl thrown to the pigs 0 1 Victims killed without the manner of their deaths 240 5 being specified

_Serbian Government Report_, PROFESSOR R. A. REISS, _University of Lausanne, Switzerland_.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_NEW PEACE OFFERS_

_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._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_FERDINAND S'EN VA T'EN GUERRE NE SAIT S'IL REVIENDRA_

In true comradeship the glorious triumphal march of your Majesty's nation in arms began, which, under the guidance of its ill.u.s.trious 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 sense _have become one of us_.

_The_ GERMAN EMPEROR _to_ KING FERDINAND _of Bulgaria at Nish, Serbia, December, 1916._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE_

_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 a.s.sociated; 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 l.u.s.t of conquest. It was in this way that the Bulgarians undertook the a.s.sa.s.sin'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._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_TRUTH_

_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 p.r.o.nunciamento--a defensive war of the German Nation for its future.

VON BETHMANN-HOLLWEG.

_Reichstag, December 9, 1915._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_THE EVACUATION OF GALLIPOLI_

"_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 h.e.l.les 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 3.30 A. 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, a.s.suring 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_.