(The Berlin papers related that, after the German peace
proposal had been announced, hundreds of thousands waited in
the streets during the night for the answers from the Allies.)
Soldiers: In agreement with the sovereigns of my allies, and with the
consciousness of victory, I have made an offer of peace to the enemy.
Whether it will be accepted is still uncertain. Until that moment
arrives you will fight on.
_The_ KAISER _to the Army, December, 1916._
Fully conscious of the gravity of this moment, but equally conscious of
its requirements, the allied Governments, closely united to one another
and in perfect sympathy with their peoples, refuse to consider a
proposal which is empty and insincere.
Once again the Allies declare that no peace is possible so long as they
have not secured reparation for violated rights and liberties, the
recognition of the principle of nationality and of the free existence of
small States, so long as they have not brought about a settlement
calculated to end once and for all forces which have constituted a
perpetual menace to the nations, and to afford the only effective
guarantee for the future security of the world.
_Joint Reply of Entente Allies to
German Peace Proposal,
December 30, 1916._
[Illustration]
_HURRAH! "WAR ON ALL NEUTRALS AT LAST"_
* * * * *
Neutral ships which navigate the barred zones will do so at their own
risk. Even though provision be made that neutral ships which on February
1st are en route to ports in the barred zones will be spared during an
appropriate period, it is nevertheless urgently advisable that they be
directed by all means available into other routes. Neutral ships which
are lying in harbors in the barred zones can with equal security still
leave the barred zones if they depart before February 5 and take the
shortest route to a free zone.
_German Note Presented to the United
States Ambassador,_ MR. GERARD,
_Amsterdam, January 31, 1917._
[Illustration]
_THE CONVICTS' STRIPES_
_America and China: "You order us to paint convicts' stripes on our
ships. We will not. Wear them yourselves."_
* * * * *
Sailing of regular American passenger steamers may continue undisturbed
after February 1, 1917, if
(A) The port of destination is Falmouth.
(B) Sailing to or coming from that port course is taken via the Scilly
Islands and a point fifty degrees north, twenty degrees west.
(C) The steamers are marked in the following way, which must not be
allowed to other vessels in American ports: On ship's hull and
superstructure three vertical stripes one meter wide, each to be painted
alternately white and red. Each mast should show a large flag checkered
white and red, and the stern the American national flag. Care should be
taken that, during dark, national flag and painted marks are easily
recognizable from a distance, and that the boats are well lighted
throughout.
_German Note Announcing "Unlimited"
Submarine Warfare, January 31, 1917._
[Illustration]
_"GO ON, WILLIAM! A TRUE HOHENZOLLERN NEVER GETS ENOUGH BLOOD"_
* * * * *
Under the convention belligerents have the right to search hospital
ships, and the German Government has, therefore, an obvious remedy in
case of suspicion--a remedy which they have never utilised.
From the German Government's statement that hospital ships will no
longer be tolerated within the limits mentioned, only one conclusion can
be drawn, namely, that it is the intention of the German Government to
add yet other and more unspeakable crimes against law and humanity to
the long list which disgraces their record.
_Foreign Office Statement,
February 9, 1917._
[Illustration]
_Germany: "Till now you have left the fighting to me and kept splendidly
neutral--don't part from that splendid attitude!"_
* * * * *
We regret the rupture with a nation who, by her history, seemed to be
predestined to work together with us, not against us, for common ideals.
But since our honest desire for peace has only encountered hostile
ridicule on the part of our enemies, there is no more "going back," but
only "ahead" possible for us.
_German Memorandum,
February 27, 1917._
[Illustration]
_THE REBIRTH OF RUSSIA_
(_A new and powerful Russia rises like a Phoenix from the ashes of the
old reactionary regime._)
* * * * *
It is with sentiments of the most profound satisfaction that the peoples
of Great Britain and of the British Dominions across the seas have
learned that their great Ally Russia now stands with the nations which
base their institutions upon responsible government.
Much as we appreciate the loyal and steadfast cooperation which we have
received from the late Emperor and the armies of Russia during the past
two and a half years, yet I believe that the revolution whereby the
Russian people have based their destinies on the sure foundation of
freedom is the greatest service which they have yet made to the cause
for which the Allied peoples have been fighting since August, 1914.
It reveals the fundamental truth that this war is at bottom a struggle
for popular government as well as for liberty. It shows that through the
war, the principle of liberty, which is the only sure safeguard of peace
in the world, has already won one resounding victory. It is the sure
promise that the Prussian military autocracy which began the war, and
which is still the only barrier to peace, will itself before long be
overthrown.
_Telegram from_ MR. LLOYD GEORGE
_to_ PRINCE LVOFF,
_Russian Provisional Government.
March, 1917._
[Illustration]
_"WE BOMBARDED THE FORT
OF LONDON"_
_--German Official._
* * * * *
Latest police reports show that the casualties so far reported in
to-day's air-raid are:--
_Killed_ _Injured_
Men 55 Men 223
Women 16 Women 122
Children 26 Children 94
--- ----
Total 97 Total 439
No damage of a military or naval nature was done.