Te Kopara 32
[3] Te Kopara, Number 32, Gisborne, 15 June, 1916.
‘Iti te Kopara, kai takirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea.’
Although the Bellbird is small, he plucks at the Kahikatea. [cf Nga Pepeha 908]
THE GREAT WAR.
The thing most people want to hear about now is the conflict being carried on on the other side of this round world, in Europe, Asia and Africa. Many members of our families are engaged in it, some have died, some have returned wounded, and some are going to take the places of those who have fallen. No war in the past has been like this. Not the former armies; the number of men engaged is exceedingly great. Formerly wars took place on land or on ships sailing on the surface of the sea. Now we see other ways being used by those intent on killing people. Some, like taniwha dive under the surface of the sea to fight there. Some fly like birds in the air dropping things to kill people, things that cannot be avoided.
People are keen to engage in this war (1) as they see the wicked intention of Germany which is seeking to subdue all the nations of the earth beneath it so that it alone has the power of command and to lay down rules for all, and (2) as they are aware of our unity, although this is a distant land, under the rule of our King. There is no thought of the distance to be travelled over the sea, or that the war will not come near our own homes.
This war is greater than previous conflicts, but there is an even greater conflict going on than this, one that is not considered by many people. The enemy is a terrible villain. One does not have to travel long distances to foreign lands to be engaged in it for it is in close proximity to every person. There is no place in the world where a person may live uninvolved in this conflict. The object of this enemy is to trample upon all those under him, and the eventual outcome is death. He is also concerned to tempt people to think about the things he teaches making them think that they will lead to life and bring them good.
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This enemy is not of flesh and blood. He has no body like ours that can be thrown down or pierced or that can be killed by the many weapons people have available for killing human foes.
Most people give no thought to this enemy because he is not visible to the eye and people are not aware how close he is. Perhaps it is not until a person has been defeated that they become aware of the enemy. He has many ways of deceiving (Ephesians 6.11); he can even disguise himself so that he appears to people to be an angel of God (2 Corinthians 11.14). The name by which he has been made known to us is the devil or Satan. He is spoken of as being a strong man armed (Luke 11.21). But he is not alone, he has myriads of evil spirits under his command (Ephesians 6.10); they are said to be his angels (Matthew 25.41). Many have been deceived by him and have been tricked by him into doing what he wants, and have been blinded in heart by him lest they see the light of the Gospel of life. That is why we have been warned to be alert lest we be tempted by him (1 Peter 5.8).
We will not be able to fight against these enemies if we do not have an ally. But we have our ally, the Christ, who has defeated him whom he called ‘the strong man armed.’ We are his soldiers and he strengthens the one who trust in him, and he also provides the weapons for the battle so that we are ‘able to stand against the wiles of the devil’ (Ephesians 6.11).
Therefore, as we are continually in touch with the news of the war being fought by our friends in distant countries, let us not forget the enemy who is attacking us every day, but be alert and hold firm to our Lord whose battle this is, and he will encourage us and trample our enemy under our feet (Psalm 60.12).
W[illiam] L[eonard] W[illiams]
†††††††††
Copenhagen, 15th June.
Eleven German destroyers were escorting fourteen of its cargo ships in the Baltic Sea when they suddenly came upon Russian destroyers and submarines. During forty-five minutes of fighting two of the German ships and cargo ships were sunk. Most of them fled. No Russian ships were destroyed.
England has passed the Conscription Act requiring men to go to the war. It comes into force on 24th June.
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WAR NEWS
The Western Front.
There is a tide that is sweeping men to the after-life in an insignificant town, now widely known, Verdun. Thousands of men have fallen at this place in the desperate desire of one side to defeat the other. And that is the situation today. The battle at Verdun is a battle sung about by one of the leading Englishmen of this generation, Kipling. When the Allies and Germany arrived here to fight, Kipling brought out this poem from amongst his many works saying that Germany would return from here without even a remnant. The theme of Kipling’s writing was that this was the place where Germany would exhaust its strength as it sought to get through the Allied armies which were stopping its progress to France and England. That is why Germany is sending [?parepare ?parapara] so many men to their deaths in order break through. But there are other reasons given by Kipling for the Germans sending their soldiers to die at this place. First, they realised that they were not in a position to advance, or to fight as they retreated. The time when Germany retreated would be the time when the Allies would commit all their strength to thrashing the Germans as they went, gnawing at them with their teeth. The second reason why it is sending so many to die at this place is its fear of the important people at home. If the people hear that their side is retreating they will be convinced that they have been defeated. They will remember the deceitful words the Kaiser spoke to them – ‘they are winning, they are winning.’ Therefore it seems to us that Germany has two options. Verdun can become their burial ground or they can retreat, if they can escape the sword of the Allies. News from the fighting at this place says that French aggression has resulted in hillocks of heaped-up Germans. The French are the people who are striking the jaws of the Germans there and the English are helping them. The allied nations there are the French and the Russians, and there are soldiers from England, Canada, India, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand – Maori and Pakeha.
In the East.
The war in the East is being carried on vigorously between Russia and Italy. During the first week of June news arrived of the defeat of the Austrians by Russia; 13,000 men were taken prisoner.
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This battle took place in Roumania. The news about Italy during the past weeks has been grim in that things are going badly for them. It is bad news because we had been informed that now all was going well in the face of the strength of Austria but that now Italy is making strong advances.
An Awesome Battle in the North Sea.
We report to each marae news of a major sea battle between England and Germany. This was the largest and most extraordinary sea battle ever fought, just as the battle going on on land is the largest and most extraordinary ever fought. It was not known that the fleets of England and Germany were close to each other and were closing upon each other, but unexpectedly news came that the warships of England and Germany had clashed. First news was that our side had been struck in the jaws by the Germans but that news was deceitful; it was a fabrication by the Germans. We have now received a true and complete account of the engagement and have written about it below. First you must understand that this was a battle between six English battleships and the large German fleet. These battleships were called scouting ships or sentry ships. Most of the English fleet was not here when the fighting began. These are the names of those six English warships which were at the forefront of the fighting, followed by their tonnage.
Lion The Flagship (26,350)
Princess Royal (26,350)
Queen Mary (27,400)
Tiger (29,400)
New Zealand (18,800)
Indefatigable (18,750)
Leading the German fleet were the following, which like the English were scouting ships. However they were not far from the main fleet.
Hindenburg (28,000)
Svedlitz (24,000)
Derrflinger (28,000)
Lutzow (28,000)
Moltke (22,600)
Salamis (19,200)
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The Lion was the leading vessel of the English under the command of Admiral Beatty. Far behind, a long way away, were Barnham, Valiant, Warspite, and Malaya, the large English warships, that is, ‘battleships.’ The main body was nowhere near. It is thought that Admiral Jellicoe, the commander of the English Fleet, had specified that if the enemy was encountered anywhere they were to be attacked, no matter how many there were. Therefore when Admiral Beatty came upon the German fleet he immediately began to attack them. Admiral Beatty’s fleet had been sailing for a long time, sixteen hours, before it met the enemy. His ships were sailing at 25 miles an hour. Lion had been ordered to the rear. When they encountered the enemy, Tiger was the first to fire at the Derrflinger. After firing its guns two or three times, Tiger launched a bomb directly at the control tower of the Derrflinger. When it landed in the tower it was as if there was a spurting up of dirt with all the things in the tower, the men and the guns flying up. Their landing in the sea was not observed. That German warship was defeated by the Tiger and it sank. By this time the whole German fleet had arrived. At last the English ships Barnham, Valiant, Warspite and Malaya arrived and engaged the enemy, but by the time they engaged the enemy night was far advanced and Admiral Beatty’s ships were grazed and holed by shells. At this time two of Admiral Beatty’s ships were sunk. The first was the Queen Mary and soon afterwards, indeed only fifteen minutes after, Indefatigable was sunk. The Germans were seeking to surround the English warships but because of Admiral Beatty’s skill in directing his remaining ships they were unable to achieve this. At this time Warspite and its companions entered the battle. It was the ship [i tuku parapara i a ia]. It was the ship that suffered most hits, but although it was in a bad way it damaged many German ships. Warspite’s companion ships, Barnham, Valiant and Malaya were acting as bait to detain the Germans there until Admiral Jellicoe could capture them there. With the coming of evening the German firing became erratic. At this time, half-past five in the evening, Admiral Jellicoe at last arrived. Before long he had linked up with his warships and had engaged with the enemy. The Queen Elizabeth and some of the other large English warships were involved. But for the very bad light Admiral Jellicoe would have sunk three of the largest German ships. When the Germans realised that presently they would be defeated they fled in haste pursued by Admiral Jellicoe. Eventually the English reached a minefield and had to turn back.
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Had the light remained good, Germany may have been defeated. There is more to be said about this battle but the above must suffice as Te Kopara’s account to you. The following table will show you that Germany was the main loser in this battle.
German Ships Lost.
Seydlitz (24,000 tons)
Westfalen (18,600 tons)
Pommern (13,000 tons)
Hindenberg (28,000 tons)
Derfflinger (28,000 tons)
Lutzow (28,000 tons)
Wiesbaden (2,443 tons)
Frauenlob (2,656 tons)
Elling (2,443 tons)
Six other warships were lost making a total of fifteen Germans ships lost. The total tonnage lost is 149,082.
English Ships Lost
Queen Mary (27,000 tons)
Indefatigable (18,000 tons)
Invincible (17,250 tons)
Defence (14,000 tons)
Black Prince (13,000 tons)
Warrior (13,550 tons)
Eight other English warships are to be added to these. A total of 14. The tonnage, 104,000.
It is possible that the total number of German ships lost has not been made known. However Germany is beginning to make known and acknowledge the number of its warships damaged in this war, however they are not permitting visitors from neutral countries into their naval ports now.
MORE ITEMS.
Lord Kitchener was on board the ship which was destroyed. Twelve survivors reached the shore on their floating raft.
In the recent battle in the North Sea, HMS New Zealand was highly praised. It was continually in the heat of the battle. Two of its crew were wounded. Part of the defensive structure above the mast was broken. The iron was 7 inches thick. One square yard was smashed and has been sent to New Zealand as a memorial.
An elder called Ohonai Wiremu from Putiki has been found dead at Castlecliff. It is said that he was 106 years old.
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A HEROIC DEATH.
You will have heard that Lord Kitchener has drowned at sea. One’s thoughts are turned inside out and one’s body becomes weak at the arrival of such news. The unexpected arrival of this news it was very difficult to believe. This is the case not only here but in all places under the shelter of England. We have seen the fall of this remarkable hero.
[Here there is an engraving of Lord Kitchener.]
We shall not explain at length the circumstances of this tragedy. It is thought that enemy spies arranged the killing of Lord Kitchener. You are aware that there are German spies in all parts of the world. There is no place more full of German spies than London. The work of these spies is to inform their Government of all all that the enemy is doing. In this case they learned that Lord Kitchener was travelling to Russia and they informed their German masters. Consequently they were on the lookout for the day Lord Kitchener would sail for Russia. They had learned from their observations the day and the ship that was carrying him
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and they were waiting at sea. The ship on which Lord Kitchener and his companions were travelling was HMS Hampshire. It is thought that it was struck by a torpedo from an enemy ship and sank rapidly. The lifeboats were lowered but were unable to cope with the wild sea waves. All the boats were overturned and those on board perished. Later news says that there were twelve survivors on a raft who with difficulty got to an island and were helped to land safely by the people of the island. There has been no report of the finding of the body of Lord Kitchener. But his Secretary received word that the body had been found and buried. This is how this brave warrior died; it was not the hand of man that brought him down.
A SORROW – A LAMENT.
All places under the shelter of England and sorrowing and grieving. It is right that England should grieve for and lament this man, its defender in war in years past and right up to the present day. It is because of this man that England survives in this day. This man has done a remarkable thing not achieved by any other before him. The most remarkable thing he did was to gather together an army of 5,000,000 soldiers in a year and a half. This is something that amazed the whole world. It is this army that is battering the Germans today. There are other wonderful things he did.
THE EMPIRE ACKNOWLEDGES ITS ANGUISH.
Memorial Services to Lord Kitchener have been held in all parts of the Empire. They have shown the brokenness of the suffering and grieving heart. And there tributes have been paid to this man and all his great achievements have been spoken of.
‘NGARO ATU HE TETEKURA, WHAKAETE MAI HE TETEKURA.’
AS ONE CHIEF DIES ANOTHER RISES TO TAKE HIS PLACE. [cf Nga Pepeha 1766]
Now that Lord Kitchener has died one wonders who will take his place. It will take a great man to fill his shoes. But perhaps it will be impossible to find someone of the character of Lord Kitchener and with the strength of his methods. It was as if Lord Kitchener had passed on his spirit to each soldier in this great war. One may say that this is seen in the way the soldiers fighting at the moment are committed to supporting him. It is thought that if a soldier is chosen to take
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his place there are two possibilities, General French and General Robertson. If it is not a soldier then Lloyd-George is the man, the Minister who is running all aspects of the war.
MAORI SALUTATIONS
Lady Kara has sent greetings to the New Zealand Government and has expressed the sorrow of the Maori People at the death of Lord Kitchener. The Government has thanked Lady Kara and has said that a copy of her letter is being sent to the Government in England. Ngatikahungunu at Te Wairoa has paid fine tributes. Amongst those tributes are these words: ‘Only if the enemy is soundly defeated will this tragedy be avenged; it was the case in Maori custom in days gone by that if a great chief was killed vengeance was sought.’ Thank you, Ngatikahungunu, for this thought.
THE KING’S BIRTHDAY.
It is the customary practice of the King of England to honour his leading people with awards on his birthday. On his birthday on 3rd June many New Zealanders were honoured by him with awards. Amongst these great people was one Maori, a half-caste, called Lieutenant William Stainton. The name of this young man was mentioned in dispatches during the fighting at Gallipoli by General Hamilton; there were others who were named by General Hamilton but he alone has received an award from the King. His medal is a cross, known as the Military Cross. William is a young chief of Ngatiporou, his main people is Tuwhakairiora, and he is a grandson of one of the famous chiefs of Ngatiporou, Houkamau. Houkamau’s son was Wi Ngara Houkamau. His daughter, Harate Houkamau, married Kuihi, a leading Pakeha, a gave birth to this child. He is a very fine young man, a gentle man, and noble in all his ways. Although he is of chiefly blood he is not boastful or anything. William went to the major schools and the thing he loves doing is playing the piano. He is very good at that. He was very close to getting an award for it when he went to the war. Congratulations to this young man for getting this honour. Although the honour is his it reflects on the whole Maori People.
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RULES OF THE PAPER.
1. Te Kopara is published monthly.
2. The subscription for the paper is five shillings (5/-) a year paid by postal note or stamps.
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5. Address all letters to:
Te Kopara,
Te Rau,
Gisborne.
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Naurea, Gisborne
People wanting a Bible or a New Testament should apply to the Bible Depository Sunday School Union, Auckland.
Bible, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 1/-.
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