Evening star., 1915-08-17
The German Propaganda.

So far as they nave gone the eN-
posures of German activity III this
country to influence public opinion
and to control the munitions sup
ply. as to the authenticity of which
no question has yet been seriously
raised, do not directly involve the
governments interest. although prop
erly enough the administration is
examining into the matter closely to
determine its course OF procedure. 1t
is entirely within the right of Ger
many to engage in propaganda
here through agents to set forth the
Teutonic side of the great war case,
and to guide the sentiment of the
American people as to the contest.
1t is also within the right OF Ger
many to endeavor, by the purchase
OF plants and the making Of con-
tracts, to secure the output OF Amer
ican munitions factories. and there
by to embarrass the allies in their
efforts to supply themselves. Tech
nically it may likewise be within the
right OF Germany to foment labor
troubles through agents, and, save to
the extent that the laws against
conspiracy and bribery forbid, to in
duce labor leaders to incite strikes in
munitions factories.
But when any of these activities
involve the accredited representa-
tives OF Germany in the United
States in any degree, save perhaps
in the promotion of legitimate busi-
ness enterprises for supply of NUM-
tions, this government becomes con-
cerned. 1t is not within the right Of
d. Germany through her diplomatic Off
cials here to engage in propaganda
of Standardization to affect the
course of legislation. to alter admin
istrative policies, or to spread dis
order among the workmen OF the
country. If any of these officials
have been involved in the various
works to which the present publica-
tions point they have rendered
themselves liable to dismissal by the
United States just as did Sackville
West, the British minister in 1888,
when he advised an American voter
how to cast his ballot for President,
and just as did the Spanish minister
in 1893, when he was detected in the
composition of letter casting re-
fections upon the chief executive of
the United States.
There is, however, a broader view
of the matter than that comprising
merely the official status of the
diplomats. This exposure, so far
particularly as it reveals the organ
lied and possibly officially directed
efforts to influence public opinion,
is calculated to increase the feeling
against Germany which has been
manifest in this country since the in
vasion of Belgium. Even though all
that is alleged on behalf of the gov
ernment at Berlin is true, and the
authorities there have not been di-
rectly concerned in this propaganda,
Tie DCllCI Will SpICdu tldt lIOliI SOlilC
high source have come the funds for
a work that has had for its object
the turning of the American people
from their criticism of the power
that disregarded its pledge of neu-
trality toward a small state lying in
its path.
1t is to be hoped that these dis
closures will not have the effect of
rendering even more partisan those
Americans of German birth and de-
scent who have heretofore been loud
in their denunciations OF the majority
of the people of the United States for
their anti Teutonic leanings and of the
government for its efforts to remain
neutral and to maintain at the same
time the rights of the country and of
American citizens on the high seas.
Recently the expressions OF some OF
these people have been fagrantly
disloyal to the government. If the
activity of the German agents in the
United States has had the effect of
promoting sedition it is in its final
analysis a grave offense against the
United States and must be treated
accordingly.