d where everything is "verboten" except hatred and militarism.
The second day after Gerard's arrival in Berne, American Minister
Stoval gave a reception to the Ambassador and invited the Allied
diplomats. From that evening on until he sailed from Coruna, Spain,
the Ambassador felt that he was among friends. When the Americans
accompanying the Ambassador asked the French authorities in Switzerland
for permission to enter France the French replied:

"Of course you can go through France. You are exiles and France
welcomes you."

After the Americans arrived in Paris they said they were not considered
exiles but guests.

* * * * * * * *

On the Kaiser's birthday services were held in all Protestant churches
in Germany. The clergy was mobilised to encourage the people. On
January 29th I sent the following despatch, after attending the
impressive services in the Berlin Cathedral:

"Where one year ago Dr. Dryander, the quiet white-haired man who is
court preacher, pleaded for an hour for peace in the services marking
the Kaiser's birthday, this year his sermon was a fiery defence of
Germany's cause and a militant plea for Germany to steel herself for
the decisive battle every one believes is coming.

"In this changed spirit he reflected the sentiment of the German
people. His sermon of Saturday has evoked the deepest approval
everywhere.

"'We know,' be said, 'that before us is the decisive battle which can
be fought through only with the greatest sacrifices. But in all cases
of the past God has helped us, and God will fight for us to-day,
through our leaders and our soldiers. We neither willed nor wanted
this war--neither the Kaiser nor the people. We hoped for peace as the
Kaiser extended his peace proposal, but with unheard of frivolity and
insults our enemies slapped the back of the Kaiser's extended hand of
peace.

"'To such enemies there is only one voice--that of the cannon. We
continue the war with a clear conscience and with trust in God that he
will bring us victory. God cannot--he will not--permit the German
people to go down.'"

"GOD WILL NOT PERMIT THE GERMAN PEOPLE TO GO DOWN"

* * * * * * * *

CHAPTER IX

THE BERNHARDI OF THE SEAS

After the break in diplomatic relations the slogan of German Militarism
became:

"Win or lose, we must end the war."

To many observers it seemed to be insanity coupled with desper