[Illustration: THE SHIRKERS] Lager Beer for Tripoli It is interesting to consider how absolute has been the rupture of Germany’s oath, as taken on her subscription to the Hague Convention. In the light of the violation of the neutrality of Belgium--that colossal infamy, destined to rank for all time as the greatest and vilest betrayal to which a civilised nation has ever sunk--the rest, considered singly, may seem lesser offences. Yet the violation of the neutrality of Luxemberg; the violation of the French frontier before declaration of War; the violation of the Geneva Convention; the slaughter of prisoners and wounded; the rape and arson, loot and murder; the use of forbidden bullets and forbidden asphyxiating gas; the bombardment of unfortified towns; the treachery and needless cruelty inflicted against civil populations; the crimes on the high seas--all tower together into such a massive indictment as no nation has yet been driven by her tyrants to endure. But beyond this, the warfare, as carried on by Germany’s creatures in all lands, alone amounts to a wide infraction of the promise that Count Münster signed at the Hague for the German Empire in 1899. “Treacherous methods of warfare” were then abjured by a people which has sunk to such depths of treachery that Judas, Brutus, Cassius, in the threefold jaws of Dis, might protest at their intrusion. The French arms for Tripoli were a typical trifle; they sink into subject for laughter before the understanding between France and Italy and the knowledge of what Germany has done since that incident. And now, in the hour of need, we learn that Teutonic inspiration has taken another hint from Frederick the Great. Forged English paper money begins to circulate in the Fatherland. To this they have come; and since English Treasury notes do not go to Germany, and we are told that all leaving this country return swiftly to it, let us trust that any presentation of the forged paper in London may win the attention it deserves. EDEN PHILLPOTTS [Illustration: LAGER BEER FOR TRIPOLI French rifles were seized at Genoa in beer casks. These had been consigned by Germans to Tripolitan insurgents, it being hoped that their discovery might lead to trouble between France and Italy.] The German Anti-Bellicist After wading through the oceans of casuistry by which German “Professors” and others have sought to exonerate Germany for the violation of Belgian neutrality and for the appalling crimes of Louvain, Visé, and the “Lusitania,” one is no nearer comprehending that “attitude of mind” which is exemplified by the question of the German Anti-Bellicist, and of the German apostles of “Kultur” in general. It is not sheer muddleheadedness, but has been brought about by a calculated, immoral perversion of intellect.