The tension in public feeling was suddenly relieved by the revelations of a plot in which Germany and Mexico were to offer a full partnership to Japan in return for an attack on our southwestern border. It caused a roar of laughter from Washington to Tokio and back.
Through all the hideousness of war shone the light of the Red Cross. A fund for this great enterprise of humanity of one hundred and fourteen million dollars was raised in the United States in a week.
The Kaiser's plan for "Getting the boys out of the Trenches" in Eastern France was almost as naive as Mr. Henry Ford's plan of two years ago, and much more effective.
[Illustration: "We are now getting the enemy out of their trenches."--German report.]
The fate of the Romanoffs must have been most disturbing to the peace of mind of the Hohenzollern family. The torch of Liberty arose "Like Thunder" across the seas.
[Illustration: "Papa, here comes the light that killed Uncle Nick."]
England, France, Russia, Italy and the United States recognized that the Junker menace to the world must be thoroughly crushed before Peace could ever return to the world.
Prussia at last realized that the United States could no longer be cajoled. Austria was therefore advised to give up all pretense of friendliness and come out into the open as a foe to America.
[Illustration: "Come avay; our music iss not for Barbarians."]
The "pacifists" were bending every endeavor to induce the American Government to bow down in craven acquiescence to the restrictions of Berlin on Ocean travel.
[Illustration: The Piffle steams under orders from Wilhelmstrasse.]
It was discovered that German money was paying a great part of the expenses of the Pacifist Party.
The Pacifists were willing to take the money, but objected to being found out.
[Illustration: THE HONEY-MOON IS OVER. "He gave me a black eye at Carnegie Hall."]
A "U" boat was reported at work off the Port of New York. This proved of considerable value to the recruiting sergeants.
[Illustration: A good recruiting sergeant for Uncle Sam.]
Germany set a trap beautifully baited with honeyed words for the Russian bear.
It looked for a time as though the Bear would be caught.
There seemed to be a lack of realization on the part of many Americans that war was actually coming our way and that in the German programme, "we were next."