AMERICAN OPINION OF GERMANY. [To THE EDITOR Or THE SPZCTATOR]
Sin,—Events seem to have rendered superfluous your suggestion of a few weeks ago to the effect that "American jurists of high distinction" should attempt to discover whether or not Germany has respected the agreements of the Hague Conventions, or the rules of civilized warfare generally, in the present conflict. It may be doubted if even jurists of high distinction would now be able to approach the subject impartially. Indignation with Germany, nay, bitter hostility to Germany, exists everywhere in the United States except among the German-Americans; and these increase the growing hatred in which their race is held by every word they speak.
The trend of public sentiment at the beginning of the war was clearly anti-German, for it was obvious even then that Germany had brought it on deliberately for purposes of her own. The publication of the White Papers convinced the more intelligent portion of the American public, so far as it needed convincing, that the Allies, Great Britain in particular, had honestly endeavoured to avert hostilities. Thus the lying pamphlet which certain eminent Germans put forth with the title Truth about Germany fell absolutely flat. The com- ments in the American newspapers must have made English. men realize this. But the crowning touch was the infamous treatment of Belgium. The wrath of the people.flared up hotly when Louvain was burned ; the wrecking of Reims Cathedral was greeted with a cry of horror ; but the deepest feelings of humanity were reached when the plight of the innocent Belgians was understood. The sufferings of these victims of the insensate German fury have moved us more than eloquence. Nothing that German apologists can now say will have the slightest effect.
Nor is this sympathy for an exiled nation passive. Already there are heard demands that the Government interfere— that the United States declare war against Germany if neces- ary, and send a fleet across the Atlantic. The present Administration, whose idea of neutrality is apparently a flabby lack of sympathy with any one, would never, of course, take such a step. But many letters from newspaper readers all over the country urge it, and more than one journal of influence has considered the question seriously. Can there be any further doubt as to American opinion of Germany P—I
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