The Swedish steamer _Snetoppen_ was bound for New York on the 4th July, 1917, when a submarine came to the surface on her starboard bow and commenced to shell her. After half-a-dozen shots had been fired the master decided that his position was hopeless, and gave orders to abandon ship in two boats. The Germans then proceeded to loot the steamer, taking the ship's chronometer and barometer, two sextants, and three boat-loads of provisions. The German sailors ransacked the state-rooms, while their officers demanded whiskey, beer, and cognac, besides taking all the clothes they could lay hands on. They sank the steamer with bombs, and left the survivors in their boats. These were afterwards picked up by an American destroyer. With regard to these cases, it would probably be contended by the Germans that the sufferings of the _Dauntless'_ survivors were unavoidable. But what about the shelling of the vessel? This was wholly unnecessary, and resulted in the death of one man. The Germans could have committed their thefts of provisions, turpentine and enamel without first shelling the ship. To the lesser crime of theft they need not have added the greater crime of murder. In the same way, the shelling of the British trawlers was totally uncalled for; and since it is not to be supposed that the German fires merely for the amusement of discharging his guns, another conclusion is forced upon us. It will be noticed that shots were fired while the boats were being lowered in the cases of the _Dauntless_, _Benbow_, and _Ireland_. With what object, except to take life? Upon the occasions under review the German missed his mark; but this does not always happen, as the study of other cases will show. Apart from the firing, the examples quoted show the German as thief, although in the sinking of the _Invercauld_ the pirates defeated their own ends, so far as food was concerned. The giving of a receipt for the articles taken was in accordance with the German Prize Regulations, which lay down that: "H.M. ships can, in case of need, replenish from the cargo and from the non-consumable and consumable stores of captured enemy ships (a receipt being given for anything taken) if the articles are not proved beyond doubt to be neutral." The incidents connected with the sinking of the _Alfred_ make one speculate as to the standard by which German naval officers regulate their conduct. It is inconceivable that any British commander would allow his men to laugh and sneer at a number of hapless seamen struggling in the water. This German officer, however, did not hesitate to do so.