13 FEBRUARY 1915, Page 2

President Wilson's position is a very difficult one, and we

shall not attempt to make it harder by critical ingenuities. As we have always said, we have not the slightest desire for American intervention On the side of the Allies. At the same time, we are bound to say that we do not think that anything approaching a submissive attitude towards Germany will be wise on the part of the President end Mr. Bryan. It is one of the troubles of the whole situation that the ruling caste in Germany are always apt to misunderstand politeness and to consider it a ground for• further aggression. Good manners tend to inflame the German official mind and to provoke retaliation—but not in kind. "You know your place, do you, you dirty little end ?—then take that" (kicking him).