The German conspiracy for a separate peace received a severe setback
when the General Congress of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates of all
Russia, by a vote of 640 to 121, approved the attitude of the Government
in expelling from Russia Robert Grimm, a Swiss Socialist pacifist, who
had received the following communication, when in Petrograd, from M.
Hoffman, member of the Swiss Federal Council:
"Germany will not undertake an offensive so long as she
considers it possible to arrive at an understanding with
Russia. Numerous conversations with prominent politicians lead
me to believe that Germany is seeking to conclude with Russia a
mutually honorable peace, and a peace which would result in the
re-establishment of close economic and commercial relations
with Russia; the financial support of Germany to Russia for her
restoration; no intervention in the internal affairs of Russia;
a friendly understanding with regard to Poland, Lithuania, and
Courland; and the restoration to Russia of her occupied
territories, in return for the districts of Austria invaded by
Russia. I am convinced that if the allies of Russia desired it,
Germany and her allies would be ready immediately to open peace
negotiations."
_Current History, June, 1917._
[Illustration]
_THE FALL OF THE MARK_
* * * * *
The exchange value of the mark fell to-day to the lowest point yet
recorded here, namely, 35.40 florins per 100 marks. The Austrian crown
also touched its lowest, the exchange being 22.40fl.
The mark has fallen since June from 36.15fl. to the value above
mentioned. The pre-war rate was 59.25fl.
_Amsterdam, June 7, 1917._
[Illustration]
_AMERICA'S CHOICE_
_America refuses the olive branch from "the ugly talons of the sinister
power."_
_President Wilson's Address on
Flag Day, June 14, 1917._
* * * * *
We know now clearly, as we knew before we ourselves were engaged in the
war, that we are not enemies of the German people, and they are not our
enemies. They did not originate, or desire, this hideous war, or wish
that we should be drawn into it, and we are vaguely conscious that we
are fighting their cause, as they will some day see it themselves, as
well as our own. They themselves are in the grip of the same sinister
power that has stretched its ugly talons out and drawn blood from us.
PRESIDENT WILSON,
_Washington, June 14, 1917._
[Illustration]
_OLD AND NEW GLORY_
_"For Liberty, Humanity, and Justice we are coming, 10,000,000 of us."_
* * * * *
My Fellow-Citizens: We meet to celebrate Flag Day because this flag
which we honor and under which we serve is the emblem of our unity, our
power, our thought, and purpose as a nation. It has no other character
than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices
are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute
those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it
speaks to us--speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went
before us and of the records they wrote upon it. We are about to carry
it into battle, to lift it where it will draw the fire of our enemies.
We are about to bid thousands, hundreds of thousands, it may be
millions, of our men, the young, the strong, the capable men of the
nation, to go forth and die beneath it on fields of blood far away--for
what? For some unaccustomed thing? For something for which it has never
sought the fire before?
These are questions which must be answered. We are Americans. We in our
turn serve America, and can serve her with no private purpose. We must
use her flag as she has always used it. We are accountable at the bar of
history and must plead in utter frankness what purpose it is we seek to
serve.
PRESIDENT WILSON, _Washington,
Flag Day, June 14, 1917._
[Illustration]
_YOU DARED TO FIND US OUT!_
_Baron Von Rautenfels (Diplomatic Messenger from Berlin to Norway): "Not
how the bombs came here, but that you dared to open my luggage, is all
that matters to Germany."_
* * * * *
The police on Saturday arrested a certain Baron von Rautenfels, who
declares that he was born in Finland, but is now a German subject, and
two Finlanders. At their lodgings and in the luggage of these persons
the police found nearly a ton of explosives of a very powerful variety.
Part of these explosives was made up to resemble coal briquettes, and
was all ready to be mixed with the coal in ships' bunkers. The baron's
luggage also contained cigarettes and tobacco mixed with carborundum,
which can be used to ruin engines or machinery. The baron and the other
arrested persons declare that the bombs and other explosives were to be
used in Finland.
_Christiania, June 24, 1917._
[Illustration]
_FRATERNIZING ON THE GALICIAN FRONT AS GENERAL BRUSILOFF UNDERSTANDS IT_
* * * * *
M. Kerensky (the Russian War Minister) and General Brusiloff have
organised a new offensive in Galicia which has had a magnificent
success, a tremendous blow being struck at the enemy. The news of
victory has transformed Petrograd, and the pessimism that was paralyzing
the people has given way to a flood of eager patriotism.
_Times Correspondent,
Petrograd, July 4, 1917._
[Illustration]
_THE FALL OF THE CHILD SLAYER_
* * * * *
Three airships only were able to approach the outskirts of London.
One of them appeared over the northern districts at about 2:15 A.M.,
where she was at once picked up by searchlights and heavily engaged by
anti-aircraft guns and aeroplanes. After a few minutes the airship was
seen to burst into flame and to fall rapidly towards the earth. The ship
was destroyed; the wreckage, engines, and the half-burned bodies of the
crew being found at Cuffley, near Enfield.
_British Official, September 3, 1916._
[Illustration]
_AT THE WORLD'S JUDGMENT SEAT_
* * * * *
Since the first day the war has been to us nothing but the defence of
our right to existence and freedom. Therefore we were able first and
alone to declare our readiness for peace negotiations. I spoke on July
9, 1915, and afterwards repeatedly with sufficient clearness on the
subject. Mr. Asquith and Lord Robert Cecil do not get rid of my words by
asserting that Germany had announced none, or only intolerable and
humiliating peace conditions. We did our part, nor does any one dare to
demand that we should make offers to-day when the enemy, as M. Briand
recently did, characterises the conclusion of peace to-day as weakness
for the memory of the dead. They continue the war because they hope to
be able to attain their Utopian war aims.
BETHMANN-HOLLWEG,
_Berlin, October 5, 1916._
[Illustration]
_"WE'LL GIVE THESE YANKEES A TASTE OF OUR STEEL"_
* * * * *
Eight vessels (including one passenger liner) have been torpedoed so far
by the _U-53_, which has caused a sensation since her appearance in
Newport Harbor only to move again in a few hours. As far as is known no
lives have been lost. The crew of one vessel is not yet accounted for.
_Times Correspondent,
New York, October 9, 1916._
[Illustration]
_"We are willing now to make peace so that you may enjoy still more the
blessings of our Kultur."_
* * * * *
A German Embassy official, who stipulated that his name must not be
used, said that the terms include "practically" the restoration of the
_status quo ante bellum_ (including the return of Germany's colonies),
the creation of new kingdoms of Poland and Lithuania, and changes in the
Balkan boundaries, but at least part of Serbia and Rumania to be
restored.
_Times Correspondent,
New York, December 12, 1916._
[Illustration]
_THE KAISER HAS ORDERED HIS PEOPLE A FIRE-EATING DIET_
* * * * *
Conjointly with the allied rulers I proposed to our enemies to enter
forthwith into peace negotiations. Our enemies refused my offer. Their
hunger for power desires Germany's destruction. The war will be
continued. Before God and humanity I declare that on the enemy
Governments alone falls the heavy responsibility for all the further
terrible sacrifices from which I wished to save you.
With justified indignation at our enemies' arrogant crime and with
determination to defend our holiest possessions and secure the
Fatherland's happy future, you will become as steel. Our enemies did not
want the understanding offered by me. With God's help our arms will
enforce it.
THE KAISER, _January 6, 1917_.
[Illustration]
_"DIGNITY AND IMPUDENCE," NEW VERSION_
_President Wilson to the impudent arch-Hun: "Guess I'll soon find a way
to get at him!"_
* * * * *
Neutrals cannot expect that Germany, forced to fight for her existence,
shall, for the sake of neutral interest, restrict the use of an
effective weapon if her enemy is permitted to continue to apply at will
methods of warfare violating the rules of international law. Such a
demand would be incompatible with the character of neutrality, and the
German Government is convinced that the Government of the United States
does not think of making such a demand, knowing that the Government of
the United States has repeatedly declared that it is determined to
restore the principle of the freedom of the seas from whatever quarter
it has been violated.
_German Note to_ PRESIDENT WILSON,
_February 3, 1917_.
[Illustration]
_"UNRESTRICTED" PIRACY_
_William: "Now we will give England the death-stroke."_
* * * * *
The total English tonnage is stated to be about 20,000,000 gross
register tons, and is accounted for as follows: Requisitioned for
military purposes, 8,500,000 tons; engaged in coastal trade, 500,000
tons; under repairs, 1,000,000 tons; plying "in the interest of the
Allies," 2,000,000 tons; remaining for the supply of England, 8,000,000
tons "at most." It is added that, as a matter of fact, the statistics
for July to September, 1916, show only about 6,750,000 tons of English
shipping as plying to England, and it is estimated that, with the
addition of 900,000 tons of non-English enemy tonnage and 3,000,000 tons
of neutral tonnage, England is dependent upon a round total of
10,750,000 gross register tons.
_The Lokalanzeiger, February 4, 1917._
[Illustration]
_William: "I say, Capelle, are you sure we have taken the right road?"_
* * * * *
This is a conflict not of armies, but of industries and economic
resources. Mr. Lloyd George once said that the last L100,000,000 might
win the war. The United States not only has the last L100,000,000, but
it has many times L100,000,000. The day that this country enters the war
the economic resources of the Allies will be doubled. We can practically
care for France while recruiting an army of our own. The German General
Staff may delude itself into believing that it has challenged the
immediate war-power of 100,000 men. What it is really challenging is a
war-power of 200,000,000,000 dollars (L40,000,000,000) and a financial
and industrial system that can be indefinitely mobilized.
_The New York World,
February 6, 1917._
[Illustration]
_A GOOD JOKE_
_The Hun Barbarian to the Hollander: "I gave you my word--did you really
expect me to keep it?"_
* * * * *
News of the wholesale destruction of Dutch vessels, after the
"solicitude" so considerately shown for their safety by the German
authorities, has provoked a degree of feeling far surpassing any
hitherto aroused, even by the many "unfortunate occurrences" of a
similar nature which Holland has previously experienced at German hands.
_Reuter, Amsterdam, February 25, 1917._
[Illustration]
_"I hope, dear Holland, this explanation is all you want."_
_Holland: "Yes, thank you, it is quite sufficient."_
* * * * *
Seven Dutch Steamers which left Falmouth on February 22 were attacked
about 5 P.M. of the same day by a German submarine, without their papers
being examined. Three of the ships are known to have been sunk, one has
been towed into harbor, the other three, says a Lloyd's telegram, "might
still be afloat."
If the Dutch reports are correct that these seven vessels perished, this
will be deeply regretted, but responsibility for it falls on the
ship-owners, who preferred to send out their vessels on February 22 on a
promise of relative security instead of waiting until March 17, when
absolute security was promised. The report of the submarines has not yet
arrived.
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.
_Imperial Chancellor, Berlin, February 27, 1917._
[Illustration]
_President Wilson: "Say! you are using false cards."_
_William: "Yes, but only as a precaution."_
* * * * *
The revelation takes the form of a letter from Herr Zimmermann, the
German Foreign Secretary, to Eckardt, the German Minister in Mexico,
which was forwarded through Count Bernstorff and dated January 19. The
letter announces unrestricted submarine warfare for February first, and
instructs Eckardt to negotiate an offensive alliance with General
Carranza, who should approach Japan, apparently with the object
ultimately of getting her to join in an attack upon the United States.
_Times Correspondent, Washington,
March 1, 1917._
[Illustration]
_THE BERLIN-BAGDAD SNAKE_
_"Alas! poor dear snake is dead."_
* * * * *
Sir Stanley Maude, telegraphing on March 11, announces that the British
forces occupied Bagdad early that morning.
The English operations in Mesopotamia have been accompanied by a great
success. The British flag floats over Bagdad and in all the bazaars of
the East the news will resound that the _feringhi_ have beaten the
warriors of the padishah, and captured the city which for long centuries
was invested with the garment of story and fairy tale.
_British Press Bureau, March 14, 1917._
[Illustration]
_HELPING HINDENBURG HOME_
* * * * *
During the past few days a tract of land between the region of Arras and
the Aisne was evacuated by us in accordance with plans. The movements,
prepared long beforehand, were carried out without disturbance by the
hesitating, pursuing enemy. The rear-guard troops, by their prudent and
heroic conduct, screened the evacuation of the positions and the
departure of the forces.
_German Official Communique, March 19, 1917._
[Illustration]
_Uncle Sam: "So you are going to sink my ships on sight, are you?"_
_Tirpitz: "I ... I ... don't think!"_
* * * * *
President Wilson has authorised the Navy Department to spend L23,000,000
to speed up naval construction and to purchase auxiliary craft. This
expenditure was recently authorised by Congress.
_Reuter, March 20, 1917._
[Illustration]
_POISONED WELLS_
* * * * *
Whole towns and villages have been pillaged, burned, destroyed; private
houses have been stripped of all their furniture, which the enemy has
carried off; fruit-trees have been torn up or rendered useless for all
future production; springs and wells have been poisoned. The
comparatively few inhabitants who were not evacuated to the rear were
left with the smallest possible ration of food, while the enemy took
possession of the stocks provided by the Neutral Relief Committee and
intended for the civil population.
The fact has been established by our military authorities in the
recaptured districts (says this instruction) and notably at Peronne,
where the branch of the banque de France was pillaged and the strong
rooms were found broken open and empty, that a very large number of
securities have been stolen by the German troops in their retreat.
_French Official Protest, March 24, 1917._
[Illustration]
_THE OUTCAST_
* * * * *
I am not now thinking of the loss of property involved, immense and
serious as that is, but only of the wanton and wholesale destruction of
the lives of non-combatant men, women, and children, engaged in pursuits
which have always, even in the darkest periods of modern history, been
deemed innocent and legitimate. Property can be paid for; the lives of
peaceful and innocent people cannot be.
The present German warfare against commerce is warfare against mankind.
It is a war against all nations.
American ships have been sunk and American lives taken in ways which it
has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but the ships and people of
other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the
waters in the same way.
PRESIDENT WILSON,
_Washington, April 2, 1917._
[Illustration]
_"STILL THEY COME"_
* * * * *
According to new reports, our troops during the battle of April 16
between Soissons and Rheims broke up very important German forces. In
expectation of our attack the enemy had brought up nineteen divisions.
According to the accounts of prisoners, formal orders had been given to
hold out at any cost on the first position, which had been deepened. The
losses suffered by the Germans were heavy not only during the battle,
but on the preceding days.
The number of unwounded prisoners taken by us between Soissons and
Rheims now reaches eleven thousand.
_French Communique, April 11, 1917._
[Illustration]
_Tommy: "You'll soon see the Stars and Stripes."_
_Fritz: "Just seen some."_
* * * * *
Our gains reported this morning north of the Vimy Ridge have been
secured and our positions strengthened.
During the fighting on the 9-10th inst. we captured prisoners from all
infantry regiments of six German divisions--namely, 79th Reserve
Division, First Bavarian Reserve Division, 14th Bavarian Division, 11th
Division, 17th Reserve Division, and 18th Reserve Division.
_British Official, April 12, 1917._
[Illustration]
_William to Herr Scheidemann: "The Turks believe I am a Mahomedan, try
to make the Russian socialists believe I am a Democrat."_
* * * * *
A Berlin telegram published by the "Cologne Gazette" states that Herr
Scheidemann, leader of the German Socialist Majority Party, has gone
with other German Socialists to Stockholm, in order to get into touch
with Russian Socialists.
_Reuter, April 12, 1917._
[Illustration]
_GERMANY'S WAR AIMS_
_Bethmann-Hollweg to Anti-Annexationist and Pro-Annexationist: "I cannot
disclose details, but I perfectly agree with both of you."_
* * * * *
What is Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg still waiting for? If he now makes a
frank and bold statement in the sense of the Russian peace formula three
States will stand together, namely, Russia, Germany, and
Austria-Hungary.
_Vorwaerts, May 7, 1917._
[Illustration]
_The Ober-Hof-Socialist: "Yes! we must make a peace without
annexations."_
* * * * *
At the last sitting of the executive committee of the Council of
Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, M. Borgbjerg, on behalf of the Labor
parties of Scandinavia--Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian--conveyed an
official invitation to all Socialist parties in Russia to the proposed
international conference at Stockholm.
M. Borgbjerg said that, having had interviews with the German Social
Democrats, he was able to communicate to the executive committee the
peace terms proposed by the official Social Democratic Party, i. e., the
majority section.
These, M. Borgbjerg proceeded, recognised the right of nations to
freedom of development, and advocated the introduction of compulsory
international arbitration; the restitution by Germany of all conquered
territories; a plebiscite in Russian Poland, with freedom to choose
between independence, annexation by Russia, or annexation by Germany;
the restoration of independence to Belgium, Serbia, and Rumania, and the
restoration to Bulgaria of the Bulgarian districts of Macedonia, and the
granting to Serbia of a free port on the Adriatic. As to
Alsace-Lorraine, they are of opinion that a rectification of the
Lorraine frontier could be secured by means of an amicable
understanding. The program of the minority section was wider in scope.
_Reuter, May 8, 1917._
[Illustration]
_"No war or at the worst only a sham war was all that America could do,
was it?"_
* * * * *
Flotillas of American destroyers have been sent to the submarine zone,
where they are now effectively cooperating with the Allied Navies.
One Army division, a force of Marines, and nine regiments of Engineers
have been ordered to France.
Ten thousand doctors, in addition to many nurses, have been ordered to
England and France, and hundreds have already gone.
Together with the Americans who are already serving in the British and
French Armies these additional units will shortly give a total of
100,000 Americans in France, equalling five German divisions.
_British Press Bureau, May 27, 1917._
[Illustration]
_AIR RAID ON LONDON_
_German Airman: "One for the babies!"_
* * * * *
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.
_British Communique, June 13, 1917._
[Illustration]
_Ferdinand: "I am much too popular to be treated like Tino or
Nicholas."_
* * * * *
The High Commissioners of France, Great Britain, and Russia, having
demanded by their note of yesterday the abdication of King Constantine
and the appointment of his successor, the undersigned prime minister and
minister of foreign affairs has the honor to bring to your Excellency's
knowledge that the king, solicitous as always solely for the interest of
Greece, has decided to leave the country with the crown prince, and to
designate as his successor Prince Alexander.