One of them appeared over the northern districts at about 2:15 A.M., where she was at once picked up by searchlights and heavily engaged by anti-aircraft guns and aeroplanes. After a few minutes the airship was seen to burst into flame and to fall rapidly towards the earth. The ship was destroyed; the wreckage, engines, and the half-burned bodies of the crew being found at Cuffley, near Enfield. _British Official, September 3, 1916._ [Illustration] _AT THE WORLD'S JUDGMENT SEAT_ * * * * * Since the first day the war has been to us nothing but the defence of our right to existence and freedom. Therefore we were able first and alone to declare our readiness for peace negotiations. I spoke on July 9, 1915, and afterwards repeatedly with sufficient clearness on the subject. Mr. Asquith and Lord Robert Cecil do not get rid of my words by asserting that Germany had announced none, or only intolerable and humiliating peace conditions. We did our part, nor does any one dare to demand that we should make offers to-day when the enemy, as M. Briand recently did, characterises the conclusion of peace to-day as weakness for the memory of the dead. They continue the war because they hope to be able to attain their Utopian war aims. BETHMANN-HOLLWEG, _Berlin, October 5, 1916._ [Illustration] _"WE'LL GIVE THESE YANKEES A TASTE OF OUR STEEL"_ * * * * * Eight vessels (including one passenger liner) have been torpedoed so far by the _U-53_, which has caused a sensation since her appearance in Newport Harbor only to move again in a few hours. As far as is known no lives have been lost. The crew of one vessel is not yet accounted for. _Times Correspondent, New York, October 9, 1916._ [Illustration] _"We are willing now to make peace so that you may enjoy still more the blessings of our Kultur."_ * * * * * A German Embassy official, who stipulated that his name must not be used, said that the terms include "practically" the restoration of the _status quo ante bellum_ (including the return of Germany's colonies), the creation of new kingdoms of Poland and Lithuania, and changes in the Balkan boundaries, but at least part of Serbia and Rumania to be restored. _Times Correspondent, New York, December 12, 1916._ [Illustration] _THE KAISER HAS ORDERED HIS PEOPLE A FIRE-EATING DIET_ * * * * * Conjointly with the allied rulers I proposed to our enemies to enter forthwith into peace negotiations. Our enemies refused my offer. Their hunger for power desires Germany's destruction. The war will be continued. Before God and humanity I declare that on the enemy Governments alone falls the heavy responsibility for all the further terrible sacrifices from which I wished to save you.