Two interesting pieces of news from Germany appear in Friday's
papers. There is a deadlock between the military authorities and the Town Council of Metz over the question of the water supply. Typhoid fever had broken out at Gorze, where the reservoirs are, and the Kaiser has addressed a strongly worded telegram to Prince Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Administrator of Alsace-Lorraine, describing the state of affairs as a shame that cries to heaven (himmelschreiend). After stating that the municipal authorities of Metz are solely responsible for the scandal, the Kaiser continues :—" In spite of all the urgent requests and protests from the office of the general commanding the 16th Army Corps, which has constantly pointed out the danger to the garrison, and has described the water as unfit for use, the town has made no serious effort. This cannot be permitted any longer. In the event of war a catastrophe would inevitably result under these conditions. I request your Serene Highness, on receipt of this letter, to take the strongest measures to put an end to this state of affairs, and to force the town to do its duty.— WILLIAM II." It is evident that the heaven to which the scandal cries is the heaven of the God of Battles.
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