in public opinion
and the government would not be able to count upon the united support
of the people. Because the government does the thinking for the people
it has to tell them what to think before they have reached the point of
debating an issue themselves. A war with America or a break in
diplomatic relations in 1915 would not have been an easy matter to
explain, if the people had not been encouraged to hate Wilson. So
while Germany maintained a propaganda bureau in America to interpret
Germany and to maintain good relations, she started in Germany an
extensive propaganda against Wilson, the American press, the United
States Ambassador and Americans in general.

This step was not necessary in the army because among army officers the
bitterness and hatred of the United States were deeper and more
extensive than the hatred of any other belligerent. It was hardly ever
possible for the American correspondents to go to the front without
being insulted. Even the American military attaches, when they went to
the front, had to submit to the insults of army officers. After the
sinking of the _Arabic_ the six military observers attached to the
American Embassy were invited by the General Staff to go to Russia to
study the military operations of Field Marshal von Mackensen. They
were escorted by Baron von Maltzahn, former attache of the German
Embassy in Paris. At Lodz, one of the largest cities in Poland, they
were taken to headquarters. Von Maltzahn, who knew Mackensen
personally, called at the Field Marshal's offices, reported that he had
escorted six American army officers under orders of the General Staff,
whom he desired to present to the Commander-in-Chief. Von Mackensen
replied that he did not care to meet the Americans and told von
Maltzahn that the best thing he could do would be to escort the
observers back to Berlin.

As soon as the military attaches reached Berlin and reported this to
Washington they were recalled.

* * * * * * * *

BLOOD-TRAFFICKERS

Cowards, who kill three thousand miles away,
See the long lines of shrouded forms increase!
Yours is this work, disguise it as you may;
But for your greed the world were now at peace.

Month after month your countless chimneys roar,--
Slaughter your object, and your motive gain;
Look at your money,--it is wet with gore
Nothing can cleanse it from the loathsome stain.

You, who prolong this hide