members of the Reichstag,--people in all walks of life.
I found the beliefs and feelings of all either identical
or very similar. I shall tell here what the German
people hold as their most fixed and profound convic-
tions and beliefs. First, there is the most complete
assurance of victory in this war, and among the best
informed is the absolute belief that the war is already
won. Secondly, there is the absolute belief that Ger-
many is in no way the aggressor, but the victim of
aggression in this war; that Germany wanted no war,
but that war was wantonly and wickedly forced upon
Germany.

This being their settled conviction, they all feel
that the request of the German Government for a
peaceful passage through Belgium was reasonable
and right, and that Belgium's refusal, combined with
the negotiations, during previous years, between cer-
tain officials in Belgium and certain British military
officials, justifies their course in regard to Belgium. I
have met no one who does not feel that Belgium, or
rather the Government of Belgium, is responsible for
her woes, and that in this war Germany and not Bel-
gium has cause for complaint. They feel absolutely
justified in treating Belgium as an enemy, conquered
country, and justify their tax of $96,000,000 a year
to support the army of occupation as legal and just
according to the laws of The Hague.

Every one I have talked to is surprised and hurt
at the attitude of the majority of the American peo-
ple, and believes that the Americans have been mis-
informed and misled by British intrigue. Above all
they are surprised by Mr. Roosevelt's position in this
war. "He," they say, "has been in Germany; he has

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