The German Government, through Count Bernstorff, have delivered a Note
which shows an extraordinary change in the attitude of Berlin. Indeed, it is not too much to speak of it as a complete volte.face. The Germans have practically conceded everything that America has asked, and the Americans are therefore entitled to regard it as a diplomatic victory. In spite, however, of its politeness to Germany, the State Depart. ment is perfectly well aware that what has made Germany so accommodating in the end is not a change of heart, but the fact that the submarine campaign has collapsed. Germany had no alternative but to abandon the campaign of culpable homicide which she undertook at the beginning of the year with so great a flourish of trumpets. She has too few submarines left to carry it on with success. She is like a drunkard who publicly takes the pledge when he finds that the only stores of liquor within his reach have been exhausted !
We have not space to analyse Count Bernstorfre letter to Mr. Lansing in regard to the sinking of the 'Arabic,' but we may note that it states that the attack of the submarine was "undertaken against the instructions issued to the coinmender," and further that "the Imperial Government regrets an d disavows the act and bee' notified Commander Schneider accordingly." Again, we are told that the orders issued to ' boati for the future have been .made so stringent that a recurrence of any incident similar to that of the 'Arabic' is considered out of the question. Germany will pay an indemnity for the American lives lost on the Arabic.' On all this we have one comment to make. Who is Commander Schneider
