The American correspondents had a sample of the actual contempt in which the German authorities hold them on the day when the commercial submarine _Deutschland_ returned to Bremen, August 23. For purposes of glorifying the _Deutschland's_ achievement in the United States, the American correspondents in Berlin were dispatched to Bremen, where they were told that elaborate special arrangements for their reception and entertainment had been completed. Count Zeppelin, two airship commanders, who had just raided England, and a number of other national heroes would be present, together with the Grand Duke of Oldenburg at the head of a galaxy of civil, military, and naval dignitaries. The grand climax of the _Deutschland_ joy carnival was to be a magnificent banquet with plenty of that rare luxury, bread and butter, at the famous Bremen _Rathaus_ accompanied by both oratorical and pyrotechnical fireworks. The correspondents were given an opportunity to watch the triumphal progess of the _Deutschland_ through the Weser into Bremen harbour, but at night, when they looked for their places at the _Rathaus_ feast, they were informed that there was no room for them. An overflow banquet had been arranged in their special honour in a neighbouring tavern. This was too much even for some of the War Press Bureau's best American friends, and the overflow dinner party was served at a table which contained many vacant chairs. Their intended occupiers had taken the first train back to Berlin, thoroughly disgusted. It is fair to say that several of the principal American correspondents in Berlin are making a serious effort to practise independent journalism, _but it is a difficult and hopeless struggle_. They are shackled and controlled from one end of the week to the other. They could not if they wished send the unadorned truth to the United States. _All they are permitted to report is that portion of the truth which reflects Germany in the light in which it is useful for Germany to appear from time to time_. Germany has organised news for neutrals in the most intricate fashion. A certain kind of news is doled out for the United States, a totally different kind for Spain, and still a different brand, when emergency demands, for Switzerland, Brazil, or China. There is a Chinese correspondent among the other "neutrals" in Germany. The "news" prepared for him by Major Nicolai's department would be very amusing reading in the columns of Mr. von Wiegand's or Dr. Hale's papers. There is a celebrated and pro-Ally newspaper in New York whose motto is "All the news that's fit to print." The motto of the German War Press Bureau is "All the news that's safe to print." CHAPTER IX ANTON LANG OF OBERAMMERGAU