"The Germans--'specially their navy men--drink to what they call Der
Tag y'know--the day when they shall dare try to tackle England. We all
know that. They're planning war, twenty years from now perhaps, that
shall give them all our colonies as well as India and Egypt. They're
so keen on it they can't keep from bragging. Great Britain, on the
other hand, hasn't the slightest intention of fighting if war can be
avoided; so why do anything meanwhile to increase the tension? Why
send broadcast a story that would only arouse international hatred?
That's their method. Ours--I mean our government's--is to give hatred
a chance to die down. If our papers got hold of the Bundesrath story
they'd make a deuce of a noise, of course."

"If your government's so sure Germany is planning war," objected
Yerkes, "why on earth not force war, and feed them full of it before
they're ready"

"Counsel of perfection," laughed Monty. "Government's responsible to
the Common--Commons to the people--people want peace and plenty. No.
Your guess was good. We are in here while the government at home
squares the newspaper men."

"You don't mean to tell me your British government controls the press?"

"Hardly. Seeing 'em--putting it up to 'em straight--asking 'em
politely. They're public-spirited, y'know. Hitting 'em with a club
would be another thing. It's an easy-going nation, but kings have been
sorry they tried force. Did you never hear of a king who used force
against American colonies?"

"Good God! So they keep you--an earl--a privy councilor--a retired