form found a word to alter.  They one and all declared that this was the order of the day which had been orally given in the ranks, repeated from man to man; many added the names of the officers who had communicated the order to them; some related in what a vile way it had been carried out under their eyes.  All the evidence of these German soldiers was collected in a legal manner, under the sanction of an oath, and it is after reading their depositions that I wrote the order of the day.

The text of all this evidence was transmitted to all the French Embassies and Legations in foreign countries on the 24th of October, 1914.  Every neutral wishing to clear his conscience is at liberty to obtain it from the representatives of the French Republic, who will certainly respond willingly.

THE RECRUIT.

By HORTENSE FLEXNER.

    He had a woodland look—­half-startled, gay—­
      As if his eyes, light-thirsty, had not learned
    To wake accustomed on earth’s joyous day,
      A child, whose merriment and wonder burned
    In harmless flame, even his uniform
      Was but a lie to hide his wind-wild grace,
    Whose limbs were rounded youth, too supple, warm,
      To hold the measure of the street-made pace. 
    Music and marching—­colors in the sky—­
      The crowded station, then the train—­farewell! 
    For all he had the glance, exultant, shy,
      That seemed to marvel, “More to see—­to tell!”
    Yet with his breathing moved, hid by his coat,
    A numbered, metal disk, strapped round his throat!

American Reply to Britain’s Blockade Order

By William J. Bryan, American Secretary of State

With the publication on April 6, 1915, of its note in reply to the British Government’s Order in Council, proclaiming a virtual blockade against commerce to and from Germany—­printed in the April, 1915, number of THE NEW YORK TIMES CURRENT HISTORY_—­the American Government rested its case.  The text of the note to Great Britain follows:_

WASHINGTON, March 30, 1915.

The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador at London: 

You are instructed to deliver the following to his Majesty’s Government in reply to your Nos. 1,795 and 1,798 of March 15:  The Government of the United States has given careful consideration to the subjects treated in the British notes of March 13 and March 15, and to the British Order in Council of the latter date.

These communications contain matters of grave importance to neutral nations.  They appear to menace their rights of trade and intercourse, not only with belligerents but also with one another.  They call for frank comment in order that misunderstandings may be avoided.  The Government of the United States deems it its duty, therefore, speaking in the sincerest spirit of friendship, to make its own view and position with regard to them unmistakably clear.