Feb, 20.
Germany's reply to the American Note follows, curiously, the lines of the statement attributed to Rear-Admiral Behncke by yesterday's German telegrams. The two are worth studying as an example of Prussian effrontery. By Admiral Bebncke the world is assured, contrary to its experlence, that Germany, hitherto, 7 followed the Declaration of London and the stipulations of the Treaty of Paris." From the official Note we learn that Germany has endured ''six months of patient waiting" for some repentance among neutrals of their nefarious conduct in supplying arms to her enemies. Such repentance not being forthcoming. Germany must take reprisals, by scattering mines on the high seas and sinking all vessels at sight which attempt to enter British ports. She is, however, prepared to let through any ships that may be convoyed by American men-of-war if the United States will kindly instruct her fleet accordingly. In other words, Germany suggests that the United States should actually assist her in her piratical attempts on British merchant shipping—for the use of American men-of-war for such convoying means nothing else. What kind of neutrality, Washington may well ask, would that be? To Germany, that is 9 matter of indifference. ''England,"" says Admiral Behncke, "'can be placed in a position where food will be I Germany hi the submarine force to do it": a statement which awaits practical confirmation. Finally comes the proposal already voiced by Count Bernstorff, that if America will persuade Great Britain to let through food supplies for Germany's civil population, Germany in the words of Long John Silver "'will drop staving in the heads of poor seamen while asleep.""
From any other country in the world such an offer would be entitled at least to some consideration. Coming from Germany, of course, it will not be thought of even for a moment. Germany has shown the world that no undertaking to which she cannot be held by force is worth the breath with which it is uttered. Similarly, one may wonder whetber neutral shipping will be very anxious to take that course round the north of Scotland which Ger-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.