[English Cartoon]

The Flight That Failed

[Illustration:  _—­From Punch, London._

THE EMPEROR:  “What!  No babes, sirrah?”

THE MURDERER:  “Alas, Sire, none.”

THE EMPEROR:  “Well, then, no babes, no iron crosses.”]

[English Cartoon]

“A Fortified Town”

[Illustration:  _—­From The Sketch, London._

A. Little Muddlecome, as known to its inhabitants.

B. Little Muddlecome, the fortified town—­according to Germany.]

[South African Cartoon]

No Family Resemblance

[Illustration:  _—­From The Cape Times, Cape Town, South Africa._

THE GERMAN EAGLE (tearfully):  “As bird to bird—­surely you won’t desert me?”

THE AMERICAN EAGLE:  “Desert you!  I’m an eagle, not a vulture!”]

The Chances of Peace and the Problem of Poland

By J. Ellis Barker

[From The Nineteenth Century and After, Leonard Scott Publishing Company.]

A century ago, at the Congress of Vienna, the question of Poland proved extremely difficult to solve.  It produced dangerous friction among the assembled powers, and threatened to lead to the break-up of the congress.  The position became so threatening that, on the 3d of January, 1815, Austria, Great Britain, and France felt compelled to conclude a secret separate alliance directed against Prussia and Russia, the allies of Austria and Great Britain in the war against Napoleon.  Precautionary troop movements began, and war among the allies might have broken out had not, shortly afterward, Napoleon quitted Elba and landed in France.  Fear of the great Corsican reunited the powers.

Because of the great and conflicting interests involved, the question of Poland may prove of similar importance and difficulty at the congress which will conclude the present war.  Hence, it seems desirable to consider it carefully and in good time.  It is true that the study of the Polish problem does not seem to be very urgent at the present moment.  In view of the slow progress of the Allies in the east and west, it appears that the war will be long drawn out.  Still, it is quite possible that it will come to an early and sudden end.  Austria-Hungary is visibly tiring of the hopeless struggle into which she was plunged by Germany, and which hitherto has brought her nothing but loss, disgrace, and disaster.  After all, the war is bound to end earlier or later in an Austro-German defeat, and if it should be fought to the bitter end Austria-Hungary will obviously suffer far more severely than will Germany.  A protracted war, which would lead merely to the lasting impoverishment of Germany, would bring about the economic annihilation of impecunious Austria.  Besides, while a complete defeat would cause to Germany only the loss of territories in the east, west, and north which are largely inhabited