Mr. Thomas went on to say that there had been
a continual belittling of the saorifiece made by the British people. This also is absolutely true He found that the American people were astounded when he told them exactly what the British people had done and were doing. They "knew nothing" of our efforts and triumphs. The fact is that much more than the temperamental inclination of the British people to disparage themselves is required to amount for this state of affairs. There has been a persistent understatement of our achievements in the Press, and though this may have been prompted by excellent motives—at all events, we hope that it was—the effect has been harmful, because Germany has known only too well how to make use of our own estimate of ourselves. She has said in effect to Russians, Italians, and others : " See how you are being bled by this Wand vampire ! On her own confession she is doing very little, and her whole plan is to grow rich at your expense."
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