We are not going to say anything which can possibly
be represented as an attempt to create friction between America and Germany, or to dictate to the United States in regard to concessions to Germany. We desire, however, to point out that there seems every reason to believe that the improved tone of Germany is due rather to the failure of her submarine policy than to any real desire to observe the rules of international law or to respect American rights. The situation is like that which arises when a farmer complains that a neighbour's dog has been worrying his sheep, and the neighbour replies that, solely out of deference to the feelings of his good friend Farmer Jones, all such annoyance shall cease and the dog be shut up, and makes a great point of his friendly desire to meet the demands of the farmer. As a matter of fact, the dog has so injured his fore-paw that the question of his being able to chase sheep any more is not a practical one. Again, the man who has only a shilling in his pocket and no immediate prospect of getting more finds it no great sacrifice solemnly to asseverate that in the immediate future he will abstain absolutely from champagne.
