[Illustration:  AN OMEN OF 1908

Reproduced from “Christmas Cards for Celebrities,” in Mr. Punch’s
Almanack of that year]

[Illustration:  HAMLET U.S.A.

SCENE:  The Ramparts of the White House.

PRESIDENT WILSON:  “The time is out of joint, O cursed spite,
That ever I was born to set it right!”

VOICE OF ROOSEVELT (off):  “That’s so!”]

  In silence you have looked on felon blows,
    On butcher’s work of which the waste lands reek! 
  Now in God’s name, from Whom your greatness flows,
    Sister, will you not speak?

Many unofficial voices have been raised in horror, indignation, and even in loud calls for intervention.  The leaven works, but President Wilson, though not unmoved, gives little sign of abandoning his philosophic neutrality.

In Europe it is otherwise.  Italy has declared war on Austria; her people have driven the Government to take the path of freedom and honour and break the shackles of Germanism in finance, commerce and politics.

Italy has not declared war on Germany yet, but the fury of the German Press is unbounded, and for the moment Germany’s overworked Professors of Hate have focused their energies on the new enemy, and its army of “vagabonds, convicts, ruffians and mandolin-players,” conveniently forgetting that the spirit of Garibaldi is still an animating force, and that the King inherits the determination of his grandfather and namesake.

On the Western front the enemy has been repulsed at Ypres.  Lord Kitchener has asked for another 300,000 men, and speaks confidently of our soon being able to make good the shortage of ammunition.

On the Eastern front the Grand Duke Nicholas has been forced to give ground; in Gallipoli slow progress is being made at heavy cost on land and sea.  The Turk is a redoubtable trench fighter and sniper; the difficulties of the terrain are indescribable, yet our men continue the epic struggle with unabated heroism.  King Constantine of Greece, improved in health, construes his neutrality in terms of ever increasing benevolence to his brother-in-law the Kaiser.

[Illustration:  (series of six panels) THE REWARD OF KULTUR]

At home the great event has been the formation of a Coalition Government—­a two-handed sword, as we hope, to smite the enemy; while practical people regard it rather as a “Coal and Ammunition Government.”  The cost of the War is now Two Millions a day, and a new campaign of Posters and Publicity has been inaugurated to promote recruiting.  Volunteers, with scant official recognition, continue their training on foot; the Hurst Park brigade continue their activities, mainly on rubber wheels.  An evening paper announces: 

VICTORY IN GALLIPOLI.

LATE WIRE FROM CHESTER.

Mr. Punch is prompted to comment: 

  For these our Army does its bit,
    While they in turn peruse
  Death’s honour-roll (should time permit)
    After the Betting News.