he Germans. The Germans are almost the most efficient of
our immigrants. They've taught us a lot. We owe them a mighty big debt.
Before their coming we were prodigals. We used up our natural resources
with a ruthless disregard for the future. We leveled our forests for
timber, and just scratched the top soil of the land for corn. Now we're
learning to farm scientifically and to conserve our wealth. And this is
due in no small degree to the Germans. The German, emancipated from
feudalism and kaiserism, is a pretty good citizen. In fact, among the
men who have most helped modern America we reckon Germans and Irishmen."

I told them this story: A man in New York was speaking the other day to
Count von Bernstorff, the German Ambassador. Count von Bernstorff was
endeavoring to prove to this important personage that England had forced
the war upon Germany out of jealousy of her trade competition. "Sir,"
said the American, "you really must not tell me that, and I advise you
not to tell such a tale to other Americans. For we know very well that
we are greater trade rivals of England than you are, and that, in spite
of that fact, here on this continent of America we have got 3,000 miles
of British frontier without a fort or a gun." He then said to the
Ambassador: "No, Sir; your mistake all through has been in making an
enemy of England when your best interest was to make friends with her.
If you had made friends with England, you would have got all you
wanted." To this accusation, I understand, the Ambassador made answer
that Germany had endeavored to make friends with England, but had been
repulsed. We have a different record in England. The American quietly
reminded the Ambassador of the fact that England admits German goods
free of tariff charges.

Germany Represents Autocracy.

The two Philadelphians perfectly agreed with the justice of this
accusation, and declared again that it was because Germany represented
all the perils and slavishness of autocracy, and because England
represented the freedom, the justice, and the passion for social welfare
which inspire all living democracies, that America was so absolutely on
the English side.

They spoke of Ireland, and expressed the hope that the Conservative
Party would do nothing to hinder that great settlement which has done so
much to increase American respect for England.

"We recognize over here," said one, "that the Liberal Party, in going to
the rescue of Belgium, sa