The retreat of the German Army in northeastern France will be remembered as one of the blackest pages in Junker history. It stirred the indignation of the whole world. [Illustration: A survival of the dark ages.] Blinded by the glitter of fifty years of militarism, the German peasant now finds himself the bearer of a crushing burden. His case is not helped by the diplomacy which guides him. [Illustration: Germany.] On February 1st the German Admiralty with the utmost deliberation raised the black flag of piracy against the entire world, declaring that all vessels of whatever description would be sunk on sight if they approached European waters. [Illustration: Under their true flag.] By the end of February, 1917, the President and the people of the United States were in a state of indignation that could not much longer be controlled. They had exchanged "watchful" for "wrathful" waiting. [Illustration: Wrathful waiting.] Junker impudence finally overreached itself. When the United States was informed that it could send one ship striped like a zebra to Falmouth each week, American patience suddenly came to an end. [Illustration: THE ONLY ANSWER: Kaiser: "One day in the week you may go to Falmouth." Uncle Sam: "Seven days in the week you may go to ----!"] The President addressed a request to Congress for power to arm merchant vessels for protection against German piracy. [Illustration: I'm here, Mr. President, close behind you.] Two little children, born almost under the shadow of the Hall of Independence in Philadelphia, were murdered at sea in the new campaign of "Frightfulness." [Illustration: Another case of wiping hands on the American flag.] The feeling of America for devastated Belgium was shown in the action of the Rocky Mountain Club, which gave the million dollars collected for a club house in New York, to the Homeless Belgians. [Illustration: For homeless Belgium.] An American merchant ship was sunk, carrying down a score of American sailors. Not a single child in the lot. The price of "Frightfulness" seemed wasted. [Illustration: "Shame--only American sailors! Not a woman or child in the lot."] Many things done by the Germans in the heat and frenzy of war will be forgiven, but in the days and years to come the murder of the sick and wounded and the devoted women of the Red Cross on Hospital ships will be beyond human forgiveness. [Illustration: Something to remember after the War.] Mr. Carranza showed signs of having fallen under strong German influence. He seemed inclined to adopt the goose-step at Tampico. [Illustration: The new recruit.] 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. [Illustration: It is to laugh.]