The Note does not end without a few touches of
insolence to the United States, to which we can recall no parallel. Napoleon's Decrees were an instrument of fastidious delicacy and consideration by comparison. The American Government are informed that they will be allowed to run one steamer a week to Britain if they use the port of Falmouth and comply with other stringent con- ; ditions. A similar concession is offered to Holland—a paddle- , steamer to be allowed to run between Flushing and Southwold I Finally, the Note expects that the Government at Washington will warn Americans not to run into danger. Here it is worth while to point out that, while the Note sets up a recksniffian defence of savagery by saying that Germany has been reluctantly driven to it at last by British inhumanity and lust of power, the German Chan- cellor made a statement which was a flat and absolute contradiction of this argument. Ho stated that the only reason why Germany had not resorted to unbridled submarine warfare long ago was that she was not ready. No doubt Herr von Bethmann Hollweg, now that he has surrendered to the Tirpitz and Hindenburg school, has to make some excuses for his relative decency in the past. But when all allowances have been made, Americans will find a survey of their negotiations with Germany very illuminating on the point of German veracity and good faith.
