Making a virtue, perhaps, of necessity, the German Government announced, in February, 1916, that "from now on it would make no forward movement." Events since have proved how well it realized its true condition. [Illustration: "From now on we will make no forward movement."] In June, 1916, Wilhelm II, peering out from behind Heligoland, where his ships had rusted for two years, declared himself "Admiral of the Atlantic." [Illustration: "Admiral of the Atlantic."] The "Deutschland," a cargo submersible craft, sent over for reasons best known to the German Admiralty, was extremely mysterious as to her cargo for the return trip. [Illustration: Assorted cargo for the return trip of the Deutschland.] It was stated in a cable from Amsterdam, that, by the Kaiser's direct personal order, issued about three weeks after the first attack on Verdun, to the Court painter, a great historical painting was to be made, called "The Triumph of the Hohenzollerns." Accordingly the painter, with costumes, horses, models, and a corps of photographers and assistants, mobilized his forces on an eminence overlooking Verdun. [Illustration: Triumph of the Hohenzollerns at Verdun.] Junkerdom could never understand why all German-born American citizens, or American citizens of German blood did not immediately rally to the flag of Germany against the forces fighting for the liberty of the world. [Illustration: Those disappointing German-Americans.] Germany was ready to talk about restricting "U" boat activity as long as we would listen to her; but the sound of riveting machines in her shipyards was her real answer. [Illustration: Preparing a few more answers to our protests.] While Von Bethmann-Hollweg was talking of Germany's desire for peace and a cessation of slaughter, Germany was making every preparation for a renewal, more ruthless than ever, of undersea warfare. [Illustration: Is anybody being fooled by this?] While her soldiers were driving Belgian civilians into slavery in Germany, Von Bethmann-Hollweg was issuing such beautiful sentiments as the following: "Conscious of their responsibility before God, before their own nations and before Humanity." [Illustration: A Prussian offer of Peace.] An American-German (not a German-American) said in an interview in December, 1916, that Germany's Peace Proposals had broken the ice. [Illustration: No, this is not Eliza crossing on the ice!] Everybody in the world had heard of the German Peace Proposals, supposed to have been sent out by the Kaiser, but nobody had been allowed to see them. [Illustration: Maybe somebody wants to buy a little suckling pig, eh?] The Kaiser and Von Tirpitz were much happier in announcing a new campaign of Intensive Frightfulness than when endorsing the hypocritical peace proposals of Von Bethmann Hollweg. [Illustration: Bringing the flag up to date!]