Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-24
Flood of Hatred subsiding

n ISPATCHEs that come out Of Berlin in
- dictate a subsistence, or at least lull, in
the flood of hatred Of England and all things
English that has been sweeping over Ger
many. The press, always under the influence
Of Me government and accustomed to direct
Public sentiment in faithful accord with the
governments views. has been adopting
somewhat different tone. THE Chant Of
Hate is not quite so popular
1t is a curious thing-ths official use Of
the organ of public opnion-diametrically
opposed to the journalistic theory and prac-
tice in this country. AT the outbreak of the
war all the German journalistic venom was
directed against Russia and France, especial
~ the former. Russia was held responsible
Cor the war, and Russia was to bear the brunt
Of Teutonic vengeance Gradually the tone
OF the newspapers shifted, and England be-
came the archenemy and principal demon.
The minds of the people were worked into
fury--and then came the announcement of
the submarine attacks merchant shipping.
1t does not appear that this submarine
warfare has been particularly effective in
military sense. Some hundreds Of lives,
some millions of dollars worth of property
and some dozens of ships have been de-
stroyed but England's maritime commerce
has suffered no sensible interruption. There
is no reason to believe that these attacks,
should they be continued, will he more val
liable 10 Germany in the future than they
have been in the past. At the most, they can
only result in change of British methods of
obtaining supplies. The great liners might
be laid up at their docks, and fleet but rea-
lively small steamships utilized in their stead
Fer the most part such vessels could elude
submarine attacks, and the occasional loss of
enc of them would inlct no great injury.
We must believe Germany is beginning to
understand this and to understand moreover
that at details of her submarine warfare the
fp6 oh CT
She is stripping herself Of even the posi-
bility of neutral friendship or sympathy
Perhaps-who knows?-there is to be a
change.
At any rate, the German press records a
change of tone toward England The in
Auential Frankfurter Zcitung. for example,
appeals to the Emperor for the communication
OF the sentence of William Lonsdale, the
Canadian soldier, doomed TO die for striking
guard in the prison camp where he was
confined.
After the war" says the Frankfurter
Ieitung, 'the various races will be obliged to
have relations with one another and to work
with one another Germany will pursue her
own straight way, but. nevertheless, she can
not be particularly anxious 10 create in Eng
land sentiments that will continue bitter
memories even after the war"
Rather different, this, from the intran-
sigent venom OF The Chant of Hate" that
only short time ago the burden OF
every German discussion of issues.
Our dispatches yesterday carried quota
ticns from other newspapers in much the
same tone the editorial in the Frankfurter
Zcitung. One denounces the popular impre-
cation, Colt strafe England" as foolish and
ridiculous"
These changes may indicate different gov
ernmental policy. but they may Indicate on
the other hand, an awakening of the thinking
clements OF the German people Perhaps
they are beginning TO realize the position into
which the Junkcr nilitarists have led them
They may grasp now comprehension that
the world will not tolerate the realization of
ambitions such the Junkers hold, and to
attain which they have plunged mankind
into war