East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-06-29
BY THE MARQUIS DE CHAMBRUN
(Written Expressly for the United
Press

Press.)
One of the characteristics Of the
present war is the propaganda made
by belligerent nations in neutral
countries, through publicity and by
various names. in view of enlisting
sympathy and gaining moral support.
Why then have we refrained from
sending propagandists to America for
the purpose of influencing public
opinion in favor Of the allies? The
answer is simple. We rely on the
justice of our cause We have fun
confidence in the clearsightedness Of
the American people.
1t is indeed difficult for us to sep
arate the United States from the
cause of liberty When France first
learned of the struggle for American
independence, "her heart was enlist
ed" and our government was soon
obliged to follow the popular feeling
aroused by the departure of La Fay
ette who had spontaneously gone over
to fight for the American colonies in
open rebellion, Thus the just cause
Of your independence had awakened
in France an irresistible national
feeling. In the mind of thinking
men the great prestige Of the United
States abroad still rests on the free
dom of her institutions, on the rec
ognized worth of her constitution,
| even more than on her great material
prosperity. We feel sure that 1t is
superfluous, as far as the free citizens
of such a republic are concerned, to
resort TO the petty means of propa-
ganda in the present crisis. From
one end of the United States to the
other it is surely understood that a
true and great spirit has lifted up the
French people in its effort to resist
an unjustified invasion of our terri
| tory 1t Is known that our cause is
the cause of liberty.
Those who know America we'll
who have lived in the big towns, fire.
quented your clubs, and who have
travelled through the vast area ex-
tending from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific, all know that in the United
States actions speak louder thar
words and that the masses as well as
the most intellectual circles are moi
likely to be deceived by specious ar
guments. The aim and character Of
the German military party revealed
themselves fully when the present wal
broke out--thirst of power, justifica'
ton of the means empoyed by the
object to be attained, disregard ot
individual rights, contempt of trea
ties, violation of the laws and usage!
of war. And following on comes th'
enumeration of actual results; bellig
erency imposed upon those whos'
bombardment Of undefended coasts
and unarmed cities, the numbering o
women and children and non-combat
ants. the evastation Of fertile coun
tries and prosperous industries, tn,
wanton destruction of monuments o
history and treasures Of art. 1t will
take years to wipe out the stain. Whel
we look back upon the many event
which, in rapid succession, have Ia
ken place during the last eigh
months, We feel as though We wer
carried back centuries into the past
and as If the customs established b.
= law-abiding communities had beef
wiped out Of existence.
We, brought up as we have beel
to revere the memory of men such a
Abraham, who, while a great war wa
being waged under his administrator
could still proclaim, that his polio,
was actuated with malice towar'
none and with charity for all" WI
marvel to witness, in our moderl
times. a backward movement of tn