The "Land & Water" edition of Raemaekers' cartoons, volume 1

“Good Faith unstained, and Truth all-unadorned.”

Nuda Veritas: it was Horace who in a famous Ode first presented the figure of Truth thus. And whom did he make her companions and sisters? They were three, and their names were “Modesty,” “Fair Dealing,” and “Good Faith.” The four sisters do indeed go together in a quadruple alliance and entente, and when one is flouted or estranged, the others are alienated and become enemies too.

The Germans were believed to be—some few still believe them to be—a “truth-loving nation.” They had a passion, we were told, for truth, for accuracy, for scientific exactness. Theirs might be a blunt and brutal frankness, but they were at least downright and truthful.

Well, they first flouted Modesty—they bragged and blustered, bluffed and “bounded.” They could not keep it up. They had to act. Fair Dealing went by the board. Then Good Faith became impossible, for, as this very von Bethmann-Hollweg declared, “Necessity knew no law.” Now they have forsaken Truth. They must deceive their own people. The “lie” has entered into their soul. Never was so systematic a use made of falsehoods small and great.

But Truth expelled is not powerless. Naked, she is still not weaponless. She has her little “periscope,” her magic mirror, which shows the liar himself, as well as the world, what he is like. And she has another weapon, as those who know their “Paradise Lost” will remember:

It is not shown here, for it is invisible, but none the less potent. With it Truth can indeed “shame the devil.” She not only shows what the liar is like outside, but reveals his inner hideousness, and actual shape, for all to see.

There are many sayings about Truth, and they are all awkward for the liar. “Truth will out,” said a witty English judge, “even in an affidavit.” It will out, even in a German Chancellor’s démenti.

The most famous is

“Magna est veritas et prævalet”
“Great is Truth and she prevails,” in the end.

Yes, “She is on the path, and nothing will stop her.” She started on the hills of the little but free republic of Switzerland; she is slowly traversing the plains of the vast free republic of America. Her last contest will be over the Germans themselves.

HERBERT WARREN