German and probably English mines, too, have helped our submarines in clearing up among the English mercantile and war fleet.  Many merchant ships warned long in advance have been compelled to believe in the warning, and with them frequently a great part of their crews—­“without any warning whatever,” as our opponents like to say.

All measures of defense, yes, even more significant, all measures of deception and boastful “ruses de guerre,” and even all attempts to hush up the news of German accomplishments and whenever possible to suppress it completely—­all these efforts have been futile.  Our results surpass the expectations that had been cherished.  Who knows how many accomplishments other than those which have been published may also have been achieved?  Foreign newspapers report a large number of steamships overdue.  From overseas likewise we receive favorable reports about the sinking of enemy ships.  But the best is the news that our submarines have succeeded in sinking two English auxiliary cruisers and perhaps also one or two larger English transport ships with several thousand men on board.

The last announcement has filled us all with greatest satisfaction.  This, our latest method of warfare, is “truly humane”; it leads more speedily to the goal than anything else, so that the number of victims will in the end be smaller after all.  It brings peace to all of us sooner than the empty paper protests and crying to Heaven about violence and international law, law of the sea, and laws of humanity could do.  In the innocent exalted island kingdom many a fellow is already striking; why should not even the recruit strike, who is also beginning to get a glimmer of the truth that there are no props in the ocean waves?

The more opponents come before the bows of our ships and are sunk, the better!  Down with them to the bottom of the sea; that alone will help!  Let us hope that we shall soon receive more such cheerful news.

Three Weeks of the War in Champagne

By a British Observer

The following article, issued by the British Press Bureau, London, March 18, 1915, is from a British observer with the French forces in the field who has the permission of General Joffre to send communications home from time to time, giving descriptions of the work, &c., of the French Army which will be of interest to the British reader.

I propose to give some account of the operations which have been in progress for the last three weeks in Champagne.  Every day since Feb. 15 the official communiques find something to say about a district which lies midway between Rheims and Verdun.  The three places which are always mentioned, which form the points of reference, are Perthes-lez-Hurlus, Le Mesnil-lez-Hurlus, and Beausejour Farm.  The distance between the first and the last is three and one-half miles; the front on which the fighting has