f a neutral country, who has just
returned from a visit to Germany, has furnished The Times with
the following statement as to his impressions. He says:_

I did not hear any boasting over German successes. When I spoke to
Germans of their victories they would reply: "Yes, we have had
victories--but what of the dead?" This thought is present even in places
where one might think that for the time being every effort would be made
to prevent its intrusion. In Berlin, for example, where all the theatres
are open and attracting crowded audiences, it is the burden of a song
sung during one of the patriotic plays, of which several are now being
performed.

I went to a theatre on the night of the fall of Antwerp. A play entitled
"1914" was acted, in the course of which many topical allusions were
made by the well-known comedian Thielscher. Even in these serious times
the Berliner, who is famous for the form of humor known as Berliner
Witze, cannot refrain from his jokes. One of these was the question:
"Why does Germany understand war so well? Because it has been declared
upon her eight times!"--the point of the jest lying in the fact that the
German word _Erklaren_, "to declare," means also "to explain." Another
pun of the same kind was made out of the word _Niederlage_, which means
both "defeat" and "depot." "Germany," said one of the characters, "is
surrounded by enemies on all sides." "Yes," was the reply, "she is the
head establishment, while England, France, and Russia only have the
_Niederlage_."

There were some serious scenes in this play, in the middle of one of
which some one stepped quickly on to the stage and, interrupting the
actors, exclaimed: "One moment, one moment, if you please! Antwerp has
fallen!" Of course, there was tremendous enthusiasm at this
announcement, but when it had subsided, one of the company came forward
and sang:

Nicht zu laut!
Nicht zu laut!
Denkt g'rad' jetzt wo Ihr jubelt und lacht;
Nicht zu laut!
Nicht zu laut!
Fiel ein Krieger vielleicht in der Schlacht
Und er liegt beim zerschossenen Pferde
Und nimmt Abschied von Mutter und Braut--
Nicht zu laut!
Nicht zu laut!

(Not too loud! Not too loud! Think just now while you laugh
and cheer; Not too loud! Not too loud! Perchance a warrior
fallen in the battle lies beside his shot down steed, and bids
farewell to mother and bride; Not too loud! Not too loud!)

I have men