ter efforts here, since the principle of universal service
is also applied to the fleet, with a resulting short term of service,
whereas all foreign fleets have a long term of enlistment.

The nominal strength of the German fleet is regulated by statute, as is
also the term--twenty years--at the expiration of which old vessels must
automatically be replaced by new ones. This fleet strength is set at
forty-one line-of-battle ships, twenty armored cruisers and forty small
cruisers, besides 144 torpedo boats and seventy-two submarine vessels.
These figures, however, have not been reached. To offset this fact,
however, almost the whole German fleet has been kept together in home
waters. Great Britain's fleet is much stronger than ours, but despite
this the German fleet faces its great opponent with coolness and
assurance and with that courage and readiness to undertake great deeds
that mark those who know that their land has been unjustifiably
attacked. It is utterly incorrect to say, as has been said, that the
German naval officers are filled with hatred for other navies,
especially for the British. On the contrary, the relations between
German and English officers and men have always been good, almost as
good as those of the Germans with the American officers. It is not
personal hatred that inspires our officers and men with the lust for
battle, but their indignation over the unprovoked attack and the
realization that, if every one will do his best for the Fatherland in
this great hour, it will not be in vain even against the greatest naval
power. We, too, are confident of this, for strenuous and faithful effort
always has its reward, and this is especially true of our fleet
organization. The United States realizes this as well as we, for it,
too, has built up a strong and admirably trained fleet by prodigious
labor. As is the case with the German fleet, the American Navy also is
not built for aggression, but for defense.

Neutrality by the Grace of England.

Janus, a mighty god of the ancient Romans, was represented as having two
faces. He could smile and frown simultaneously.

This god Janus is the personification of neutrality according to English
ideas. Neutrality smiles when violated by England and frowns when
violated by other powers.

The United States got a taste of England's neutrality when, a century
ago, the English impressed thousands of American sailors, taking them
from American ships on the high seas,