But from now on, the debauchery of thought and speech progressed hour by hour.

The grossest spectacle was provided by Sir Eric Geddes in the Guildhall at Cambridge.

An earlier speech in which, in a moment of injudicious candor, he had cast doubts on the possibility of extracting from Germany the whole cost of the war had been the object of serious suspicion, and he had therefore a reputation to regain.

"We will get out of her all you can squeeze out of a lemon and a bit more," the penitent shouted, "I will squeeze her until you can hear the pips squeak"; his policy was to take every bit of property belonging to Germans in neutral and Allied countries, and all her gold and silver and her jewels, and the contents of her picture-galleries and libraries, to sell the proceeds for the Allies' benefit.

"I would strip Germany," he cried, "as she has stripped Belgium." By December 11 the Prime Minister had capitulated.