If the German people and the German Government consider the respect they owe the foreigner as a sacred law, even though the foreigner belongs to the enemy, this respect is enhanced by affection and gratitude in the case of foreigners whose countries are friendly or neutral.  Thousands and thousands of Americans, Swiss, Dutch, Italians and Scandinavians are still living in German countries.  They may be sure that they can live as freely here as any German citizen.  Should it be possible for them to return home, the best wishes will accompany them.  The property they leave here will be protected.  This is guaranteed by the authorities and by influential private persons.  Should they stay in Germany, however, the German people will express their sense of gratitude for any friendly help they may lend, by increased respect and protection.

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A strong contrast is noticeable between Germany’s attitude toward foreigners and the facts revealed just now as to the treatment meted out in inimical countries not only to Germans but to other foreigners.  Truly, in England there has been some effort to act according to the usages of civilized nations when engaged in warfare.  Germans and Austrians have been insulted and molested; there has been some occasional destruction of property in stores; but as far as can be judged these were excesses of an uncontrollable mob.  A general expulsion has not been ordered, and it is to be hoped that the Germans living in the United Kingdom and in its colonies will not suffer too heavy damages, in person or in property.  Russia, France and Belgium, on the other hand, have by the ill-treatment and plundering of foreigners living in their countries struck themselves out of the list of civilized nations.  Innumerable reports from expelled or fugitive people prove this, and official reports confirm them.  Also the press of neutral, neighboring countries, such as Switzerland, Holland, and Italy, is full of similar complaints.  Owing to the scarcity of news from Russia, the facts known so far only concern Petersburg, where German and Austrian men and women, residents or transients, were beaten and stoned in the streets.  Here were also some cruel mutilations and murders.  The beautiful building of the German Embassy in Petersburg was attacked by the mob.  And the police watched all these misdeeds with crossed arms or even assisted.  Probably what took place in Petersburg also occurred in other Russian cities; we shall soon know.

There are a great many complaints against the French and the Belgians.  On the evening of Aug. 1 the mobilization was announced, and the next morning the official order was posted on the walls, that within twenty-four hours from the beginning of that day all Germans and Austrians, irrespective of sex, age or profession, would have to leave France.  Those who remained and could not reach the boundary would be taken to the southwestern part of the country and