This is a fairly good specimen of Teutonic impudence, but
worse follow& The Central Powers, we are told, were obliged to take up arms in order to defend justice and " the liberty of national evo- lution." Then Luddenly the theme of this " high-browed " diplo- matic fugue changes and assumes the phraseology of trriah Heop. " Our aims are not to shatter or annihilate our adversaries." Finally, we are told that if, in spite of their offers of peace and reconciliation, the struggle should go on, the four Powers will continue it till they are victorious, but " they solemnly decline the responsibility for this before humanity and history." Even in a diplomatic Christmas card Germany cannot resist the temptation to threaten. " Turn up the whites of your eyes, but grind your heel hard down upon his toe as you do it," is the Teutonic idea of soothing methods.
