American flags was placed by Americans at the foot of the monument to
Frederick the Great (in Berlin). The American flag was enshrouded in
black crape. Frederick the Great was the first to recognise the
independence of the young Republic, after it had won its freedom from
the yoke of England, at the price of its very heart's blood through
years of struggle. His successor, Wilhelm II, receives the gratitude
of America in the form of hypocritical phrases and war supplies to his
mortal enemy."

[Illustration: First page of the magazine "Light and Truth"]

One photograph was of the wreath itself. The other showed a group of
thirty-six people, mostly boys, standing in front of the statue after
the wreath had been placed.

When Ambassador Gerard learned about the "demonstration" he went to the
statue and from there immediately to the Foreign Office, where he saw
Secretary of State von Jagow. Gerard demanded instantaneous removal of
the wreath. Von Jagow promised an "investigation." Gerard meanwhile
began a personal investigation of the _League of Truth_, which had
purchased and placed the insult there.

Days, weeks, even months passed. Von Jagow still refused to have the
wreath removed. Finally Gerard went to the Foreign Office and told von
Jagow that unless it was taken away that day he would get it himself
and send it by courier to Washington. That evening Gerard walked to
the statue. The wreath had disappeared.

Week by week the league continued its propaganda. Gerard continued his
investigation.