The theory that Germany is now short of food and
that hunger is the chief ally of the Spartacus fanatics is strengthened by the latest reports from Paris. But it does not accord with the refusal of the German delegates at Spa last week to surrender Germany's merchant fleet unconditionally. We should have expected Germany to give up the ships quickly so as to obtain foodstuffs at the earliest possible moment. Instead of that, the German delegates presumed to impose conditions, under which the Allies would receive the ships only in return for a guarantee that the Germans should be the first to receive food, before our starving Allies. The German Government must be criminally indifferent to the sufferings of their people, or they must believe that Germany is not so badly off as some of the Allied representatives suppose.
