saved in boats. A thrill of pride has been felt by Americans who read that the captain refused to lower the American colors, and that his flag went down with the ship after it had been shelled by the enemy.

It is claimed that the vessel carried contraband of war, and it is remembered that when the case of an American vessel, the William P. Frye, was under debate, the German Foreign Office promised that American merchantmen carrying conditional contraband would not be destroyed, but that Germany reserved a claim of right to destroy vessels carrying absolute contraband when this destruction was allowed under the provisions of the Declaration of London and with safety to passengers and crew. Numerous other ships, not only British but neutral, as Norwegian and Swedish, have been recently destroyed by German submarines apparently either under the same plea as that just set forth above or on an assertion that the vessels attempted to flee or to resist capture.

The subject of mines in the high seas is one that we could well wish were illuminated by discussion; but in order to discuss the question the facts as to the laying of mines, as to the presence of floating mines, and as to observance of the rule that mines should be so constructed that they would soon become harmless if they floated without restraint, must first be obtained.

The destruction of the hospital ship Britannic, with a loss of many lives (put variously at from thirty to fifty), naturally aroused intense indignation. Berlin's defense has consisted

of a statement that the Britannic was not sunk by a German submarine, and an intimation that the Britannic was being used for transport purposes. The last statement is emphatically denied and seems to have no basis of fact. Later it was asserted that the destruction of the Britannic was caused, not by a submarine but by a mine, and British despatches seem to recognize this as probable. But if so, there seems to be no information as to who laid the mine, or, if it were a floating mine, from what source it came or by what nation it was made. A similar state of doubt seems to exist about the facts as to the sinking of another hospital ship, the Braemar Castle, in the Ægean Sea, without loss of life.

The news of the week told of another raid by German Zeppelins over England, and the claim was made that two Zeppelins were brought down by British aeroplanes-one on the coast near Durham and one at sea. A

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large German aeroplane also visited England, but with very trifling damage; a few citizens were injured and one woman was killed.

PEACE, FORCE

AND SECURITY

Three associations have recently been under public discussion in connection with the subjects of peace now, peace in the future, and peace through security.

It is well to distinguish between these three objects and the leagues which represent them, because a discussion about immediate peace has in part grown out of the meeting of the League to Enforce Peace, held in New York on November 25. That association has, strictly speaking, nothing to do with any effort to bring the present war to a close. It stands for a large future plan which aims to bring about such an agreement between the great nations of the world as would provide for the settlement of disputed questions peacefully, but would also provide a military arm by which the decrees of the associated nations could be enforced, if necessary.

But at the meeting of the League to Enforce Peace one of the important addresses was made by Mr. Jacob Schiff, who urgently declared that the League itself should not "sit still and wait for the moment when one or the other of the Powers now facing each other shall have become completely exhausted" before the new league of the nations should be brought into existence. And he declared also that the present conflict would continue until some powerful factor shall step between these impassioned belligerents and persist until both sides name terms upon which peace may be discussed." This is, of course, an effort to bring about peace at once-an object not regarded with favor by an immense number of Americans and by many of the members of the League to Enforce Peace; an effort, also, as we believe, outside the province of the League.

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Mr. Schiff's address has called out remonstrances from Mr. James M. Beck, one of the best of American writers and thinkers on this subject, and from other men of recognized ability. One ground of their objections is well stated by the New York "Times: " "No offer of mediation would be listened to by the Allied Powers. The tender of it would be resented as an unfriendly act." To this may be added Sir Robert Cecil's re.cent declaration : "So long as the Germans continue the Belgian slave raids and sinking

of hospital ships there cannot be any thought of peace." And we may also add Mr. Hall Caine's statement of the English point of view: "We think such a peace would be treason to the dead, disloyalty to the living, an assault on the authority of government, an open appeal to the lawlessness of anarchy, a deliberate outrage on the principles of patriotism, and even on the sacred precepts of religion."

Nevertheless, there does exist a second association, called the American Neutral Conference Committee, which seems to believe that it is a perfectly easy matter to stop the

war.

Mr. Schiff, Mr. Oswald G. Villard, Mr. Hamilton Holt, and Dr. David Starr Jordan are among the prominent men in this association, and we have no doubt they are sincere in thinking that a joint conference of the neutral nations to bring about peace would be an act of humanity. We refer them, however, to such statements as those we have printed above and to their own common sense, which should warn them that a peace made now would be but the prelude of another war. As some one has said: "When there is a mad dog in the house, it is not the time to say, Poor pussy, poor pussy!'" We are glad to note that Mr. Robert Fulton Cutting, Mr. Theodore Marburg, and, we believe, one or two others have announced that they were opposed to the aims of this American Neutral Conference and that their names were used in connection with the call for that conference without their consent.

Finally, the third association to which we refer is the National Security League, the aims and purpose of which we commend in the most unreserved terms. It stands for preparedness, efficiency, and a practical programme which will make the Nation secure because prepared and efficient. This League will hold a congress in Washington in January.

A WOMAN'S REPORT OF
CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

To readers of Mrs. Gallison's account of her visit to Germany (the second installment of which appears in this number of The Outlook) it will be interesting to compare a very different report of conditions in Germany from another American woman. Miss Madeleine Z. Doty last summer went to Germany. In part, at least, her purpose was to carry aid to underfed German babies; but it was in part to observe conditions there. Her report is appearing on successive Sundays in the

New York "Tribune" and in the Chicago "Tribune." Miss Doty is well known for what she has done on behalf of prison reform.

dis

She found the German people suffering from physical privations and the mental strain of war. The food that she had, except in the very best of hotels and in certain private homes, was inadequate. "Prison diet," she says, "does not promote health or strength. One can live on it, but patriotism and temper suffer." The people at a café which she describes were "shrunken, listless, traught." She could not swallow the cakes that were served. "Only the music is cheerful,” she says. "There is a revival of band playing in Germany. It is needed to hide the lack of laughter and talk. . . . Life has become mere existence, a prison existence." A satisfying meal she reports as a noteworthy experience. After one such meal she writes: "It seems cruel to eat of Germany's best, but I decided to live henceforth at the most expensive hotels."

Since her preceding visit the year before she reports a change in the attitude of the German people toward America:

To-day the average person is pathetically eager to be friends. Slowly the people are awakening. For months the newspapers have fed them on the triumphs of Germany and the perfidy of other nations. But these stories of glorious German victories have resulted in what? A lean and barren country, under-nourishment, death, the hatred of other nations. The people begin to doubt their leaders.

To call these people “barbarians” is an outrage. They are, like ourselves, just folks, kindly and generous, deceived and browbeaten by a ruthless military group.

Her account of being spied upon is amusing. She tells of doubling on her tracks when she went to visit a member of the Social Democratic party in order that she might avoid observation. She saw enough of spies to form the following impression :

The funny thing about German spies is that they dress for the part. They are as unmistakable as Sherlock Holmes. They nearly always wear gray clothes, a soft gray hat, are pale-faced, shifty-eyed, smooth-shaven, or have only a slight mustache, and carry canes.

One spy she describes as standing out in the rain from three in the afternoon until nine o'clock. "I simply cannot take him seriously. My friend and I get into gales of laughter. I want to go out and invite him in to tea. He looks so miserable." "But," she acknowledges, "before I leave

What

Germany the spies get on my nerves. was at first amusing becomes a nuisance."' Even the horses show underfeeding. They are "chiefly valuable as a study in bone anatomy." She looks into their dinner-pails, and never finds there anything but chopped

straw.

She reverts to the appearance of the people. "They are thin. I didn't see a big girth anywhere." Food without grease, sugar, or meal she likens to " trying to run a wagon without oil. It begins to creak."

She describes the diet kitchens, and tells what good food can be had there. But "the day laborers cannot frequent city feeding kitchens. They cannot afford it. . . . Such places are a godsend to the middle class, the small storekeepers whose business has failed, clerks, and stenographers, but for the unskilled laborer the price is prohibitive."

She sums up the food situation in these words:

The tragedy in Germany is not quick starvation, it is the underfeeding of a whole race. It is hard to be discontented and progressive when the stomach is full and the land flows wih milk and honey. But suffering has come and a new race is emerging-a lean race, with active minds that begin to question German autocracy and militarism.

This is a very different picture from that which Mrs. Gallison draws for us, but we must remember that no one observer sees all. Mrs. Gallison goes to her friends and acquaintances. Miss Doty, on the other hand, is accustomed to observing people in the lower strata of life, and in Germany she sees privation and hardship.

The suffering that war has brought upon Germany is largely hidden from the outside world, but it is to be remembered that it is also largely hidden from a great part of the German people themselves.

A GAIN FOR

RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY

Under the crust of the reactionary, autocratic governmental system of Russia there is the restless, liberty-loving, democratic, unorganized Russian people. Week before last new evidence of the power that lies in that Russian mass was supplied by the retirement of Prime Minister Sturmer. Though his successor, General Trepof, is not known as a liberal in any sense, he is not identified with the reactionary elements in Russia, as Sturmer was. Indeed, one thing may be regarded as clear: even if Trepof is conceded

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to be conservative, he at least offers a welcome substitute for a man who after a year in office as Prime Minister had by no means the reputation of being vigorous in the prosecution of the war. Though there was no 1 indication when Sturmer was appointed that he belonged to the suspected pro-German clique in Russian plutocracy-that strange group that is allowed to intrigue in Russia on behalf of the interest of a nation with which Russia is at war-Sturmer was not antiGerman in any such sense as the Russsian Prime Minister ought to be at this time if he is in sympathy with the present Russian will and purpose.

There is only one thing that can have brought about this retirement of Sturmer, and that is the growing power of public opinion in Russia to-day. The retirement of Sturmer is one of the most important happenings on behalf of Russian freedom that has occurred in recent years. Too much, however, must not be expected from it. There is no certainty that Trepof himself has any of the democratic point of view. But as a symptom it is of great importance. Russia belongs with France and England in this war on behalf of democracy, not because of the Russian Government, which is largely derived from Prussia, but because of the Russian people, who have struggled as few peoples have, and whose ultimate achievement of liberty no one who believes in democracy can doubt.

In a forthcoming issue Mr. Kennan, whose staff contributions to The Outlook, whose knowledge of Russian affairs, and whose gifts as a writer are well known to the readers of The Outlook, will tell some interesting facts which throw light upon this striking and in some respects sensational event.

CARRANZA'S BURDEN

Even if Carranza ratified the protocol signed by the American and Mexican Commissioners at Atlantic City on November 24, a tremendous burden would remain for the First Chief to lift before the protocol could become effective. That burden is Villa.

The first clause in the protocol is one for which the Mexican Commissioners have fought ever since the conferences began in September, namely, a guarantee of the withdrawal from Mexico of the Pershing expedition. But, as signed by the Commissioners, the protocol provides for the withdrawal from Mexico of the United States forces within forty days after the ratification of the agree

ment unless new raids occur in the territory adjacent to that occupied by the American forces.

The day after this was signed, and the day after Commissioner Alberto Pani left for Mexico to present the document to the First Chief, Pancho Villa was reported to have captured the city of Chihuahua! As we go

to press Carranza is reported to be concentrating most of his forces in Chihuahua State around Juarez, which is felt to be in grave danger of capture by Villa.

With that proviso in the protocol and with the idol of northern Mexico making a serious bid for his former power, Carranza must recognize the fact that he is not yet relieved of responsibility.

Other clauses in the agreement provide that American forces may pursue raiders from Mexico across the border, and that if new raids do occur the United States "may alone or in conjunction with the Mexican troops disperse the marauders." Thus Car

ranza may have our direct help in eliminating Villa if he chooses. But in that case the withdrawal of Pershing's expedition would be postponed.

For the protocol to become effective it must be signed by President Wilson and Carranza. It may be assumed that President Wilson will ratify the agreement if the report is true that he privately approved a preliminary draft of the provisions before they were sent to Carranza.

In one respect the situation thus remains as it has been for weeks. That is, the decision remains with Carranza. He may have our help in eliminating the man who has hampered him and clung to his back like an Old Man of the Sea since the rupture at the battle of Zacatecas, more than two years ago, or he may rebuff us again, and again risk the consequences.

The adoption of the protocol would probably mean the continuance of the joint Commission as a means of communication and co-operation between Carranza and the United States, but the instrument provides that failure to ratify it will mean the end of the Com mission which framed it.

JACK LONDON

A characteristic and interesting portrait of Jack London, who died in California on November 22, will be found on another page of this issue.

London's personal history was interwoven

with his writing. As he was fond of saying, he had to hustle for a living while he was only a boy. From the time when he left the ranch upon which he was working at the age of twelve to become an oyster pirate" in San Francisco, on through his experiences before the mast in a seal-hunting vessel and among the ice of Behring Sea, through his work as a coal-shoveler and longshoreman, and again as a factory hand, Jack London was living the things which he afterwards talked about in his books. It is true that he had some schooling, but it was interspersed with work in a laundry and ended by an adventurous trip for gold in the Klondike. No wonder that his tales have vigor of the roughest kind and that they depict things which are brutal. Moving among hard-working, hard-swearing, and hard-drinking men, London, as he himself has told in a bit of autobiography, lived exactly as his fellows

did.

The gift of writing was for him the gift of putting on paper the sensations he had felt and the life he had led. “Virile " is the word most often used of his stories. He affected scorn of literary grace and gentle sentiment, and yet there are passages in some of his books which show that he was not always rough and violent in feeling. His very first work was an article on "A Typhoon Off the Coast of Japan," and it took a newspaper prize. Oddly enough, we are told, his next successful literary venture was with the Atlantic Monthly." Later on he was a newspaper correspondent in the RussoJapanese War. Still later, Jack London and

his wife sailed for the southern Pacific in a little boat only forty-two feet on the waterline; the story of the voyage of the Snark was told both by Mr. London and his wifemany readers think that the latter's account was the better of the two.

In one way and another, Jack London wrote an immense amount. Probably the majority of his admirers would rank The Call of the Wild" and White Fang" first in the list of his books. In one of these stories he certainly entered in a most extraordinary way into the nature and the character of the dog which was part wolf and returns to the wild life; and in the second, of the wolf who was part dog and under the taming of love becomes a most faithful guardian of the house. "The Sea Wolf" ought not to be omitted in any mention of Jack London's works; it is intensely powerful,