lic opinion, but he knows that from now on
it will be more difficult. But he will not stop. He will always hold
forth the vision of victory as the reward for German faithfulness.
Today, for instance, in the United States we hear very little about the
German submarine warfare. It is the policy of the Allies not to
publish all losses immediately; first because the enemy must not be
given any important information if possible, and, secondly, because,
losses have a bad effect upon any people.

But the German people do not read what we do. Their newspapers are
printing daily the ship losses of the Entente. Submarines are
returning and making reports. These reports are published and in a way
to give the people the impression that the submarine war is a success.
We get the opposite impression here, but we are not in a position
better to judge than the Germans, because we don't hear everything.

The important question, however, is: What are the German people being
told about submarine warfare?

Judging from past events, the Kaiser and his Navy are undoubtedly
magnifying every sinking for the purpose of stimulating the people into
believing that the victory they seek is getting nearer. The Government
knows that the public favours ruthless torpedoing of all ships bound
for the enemy, so the Government is safe in concluding that the public
can be stimulated for some months more by reports of submarine victory.

Military operations in the West are probably not arousing the
discussion in Berlin that the plans against Russia are. The Government
will see to it that the press points regularly to the possibilities of
a separate peace with Russia, or to the possibility of a Hindenburg
advance against England and France.

The people have childlike faith in von Hindenburg. If Paul von
Hindenburg says a retreat is a victory the people will take his
judgment. But all German leaders know that the time is coming when
they will have to show the German people a victory or take the
consequences themselves.

Hence it would not be surprising if, after present military operations
are concluded, either by an offensive against Russia or by an attack on
the Western line, the Chancellor again made peace proposals. The
Socialists will force the Chancellor to do it sooner or later. They
are the real power behind the throne, although they have not enough
spunk to try to oust the Kaiser and tell the people to do their own
thinking.

A b