The war led to condemnation of the German tradition in Canada and rising anti-German sentiments, especially following the May 1915 sinking of the RMS "Lusitania". To maintain its position in the community, the "Journal" generally avoided exaggerating anti-German incidents. The paper's editors found it difficult to please all readers; they resolved to only publish official war news but alternately received complaints that the paper was either too British or too German in its coverage. Circulation declined, with angry readers cancelling their subscriptions in protest. To those immigrants that remained loyal to Germany, the editors explained in a September 1914 article that being born and raised in Canada – being several generations removed from Germany – led them to being more British in their outlook. They further explained it would be ungrateful of them to "[denigrate] the land in which we enjoy complete freedom as well as protection of life and property."