The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-25
Germany and the United states.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
In view of the animated discussion here
during the last few weeks of possible Ger
man-American complications it is reassur-
ing to learn that reports of our displeasure
at the hostile attitude of the German press
have occasioned a feeling of seemingly in
nocent surprise in Germany. 1t is, more
over, a fact that there has been absolutely
no trace of hostility toward america in the
leading German papers. The Norddeutsche
Allgemeine Zeitung, a journal of high off,
cial standing, states that the German EN-
peror, in his address to the Diet, on May s,
made a solemn declaration of neutrality in
the present crisis. The paper further re-
marks that the imperial policy is to be relied
upon as aiming to continue, rather than to
disturb friendly relations with a country in
which millions of Germans have found
second home. Even the Berliner Tageblatt
so often mentioned of late as being anti
American, defends itself thus against such
accusations: I'VE have never departed from
reserve befitting the press of a neutral
patton that desires to remain on a friendly
footing with both contending parties"
An explanation of much misunderstand-
ing is to be found in the fact that the Amer
lean press has been the victim of bold and
deliberate fraud. In the Baltimore Kor-
respondent we note the following: THE
American newspapers that receive the As
ISOLATED Press dispatches land pay dearly
plant regarding European news. The CEN
tral Office for Europe is located in London.
where all news for us is sent. The man
ager of this Office is an Englishman of
Journalistic instincts, but lacking that all
around culture necessary for comprehen-
slve and just view of continental affairs.
AIDING to tFis inadequacy of general in
formation lack of familiarity with con-
llnental languages, together with ilI-will
one need not wonder that we are wrongly
INFORMED regarding events and opinions in
Germany.
The dishonorable proceedings at the Lon
90n central office are scored also by the
w ashington correspondent of the West
ilche Post, who writes as follows: glow is
II possible that England so maliciouslv de-
eeIve9 us concerning events in Europe, and
especially in Germany? We have the AS
soclated Press which furnishes the Ameri-
can press with news, having an office in
Berlin, as well as in London 1t seems i'm
possible Ito Americans, at least1 thai there
can De any deception, and yet this is fhe
case. All announcements OF the unfriendly
attltude OF the German government and If
us intention to intervene in combination
with other governments were absolute
Iaisehoods. That the Associated Press
cables over to us English-tinted renorts
can no longer be disputed and how this lie
possible is no longer a mystery. The man
ager OF the London Office is not an Ameri-
can, but an Englishman, and we learn from
an American newspaper man. formerly en-
ployed there. that this manager exercises a
censorship over everything cabled to this
country from England, or by way of Lon
oon from the continent Every unfavorabIe
comment on any incident in England IS
struck out by the English censor of Ameri-
can news whose censorship embraces ev-
fairs. The reports from Berlin are naturally
subject to the same sort of criticism. a cir
cumStance which clearly explains the fact
that we hear so much of evil from that
quarter, and, in general, only that which
narmonizes with English interests. This ef
fectiye London, scheme works both ways,
and furnishes the German press with most
incredible bits Of news from America. One
report that found its way into German
newspapers over the London route deserves
more than a passing notice. 1t is headed:
Lack of Discipline in the American Army
and reads, translated. thus: In considera-
ton of the grave cases of disobedience re-
ported on every hand on the part of en-
listed troops. the commander4n-chief Gen.
Miles,. has thought best to make an exam
pie OF some men. Accordingly at his COM
mand, six soldiers who had taken part in
serious ill-treatment of the Commander of
their battalion, were summarily shot. Be-
sides this, about eighty soldiers of the vari-
GUS divisions have been sentenced to long
terms of Imprisonment
Any comment on this item would be SUI
perfluous A GERMAN
Indianapolis, July %.