This is a typical example of the kind of inspired stories which are printed in the German newspapers from time to time to keep up the confidence of the people.  This was particularly needed last fall because the people were depressed and melancholy over the losses at the Somme, and because there was so much criticism and dissatisfaction over the Chancellor’s attitude towards the submarine warfare and peace.  People, too, were suffering agonies in their homes because of the inferior quality of the food,—­the lack of necessary fats and sugar which normal people need for regular nourishment.  The Socialists, who are in closer touch with the people than any others, increased their demands for peace while the National Liberals and the Conservatives, who wanted a war of exhaustion against Great Britain, increased their agitation for the submarine warfare.  The Chancellor was between two tormentors.  Either he had to attempt to make peace to satisfy the Socialists and the people, or he had to give in to the demands for submarine warfare as outlined by the National Liberals.  One day Scheidemann went to the Chancellor’s palace, after he had visited all the big centres of Germany, and said to von Bethmann-Hollweg: 

“Unless you try to make peace at once the people will revolt and I shall lead the revolution!”

At the same time the industrial leaders of the Rhine Valley and the Army and Navy were serving notice on the Government that there could not possibly be a German victory unless every weapon in Germany’s possession, which included of course the submarine, was used against Germany’s so-called chief foe—­England.

Confronted by graver troubles within Germany than those from the outside, the Chancellor went to Great Headquarters to report to the Kaiser and to discuss with von Hindenburg and Ludendorf what should be done to unite the German nation.

While the Army had been successful in Roumania and had given the people renewed confidence, this was not great enough to carry the people through another hard winter.

While Germany had made promises to the United States in May that no ships would be sunk without warning, the submarines were not adhering very closely to the written instructions.  The whole world was aroused over Germany’s repeated disregard of the rules and practice of sea warfare.  President Wilson through Ambassador Gerard had sent nine inquiries to the Foreign Office asking for a report from Germany on the sinking of various ships not only contrary to international law but contrary to Germany’s pledges.  In an attempt to ward off many of the neutral indictments of Germany’s sea warfare the official North German Gazette published an explanation containing the following: