TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1915-02-13

NHAZ ~ EMHZEM NEa-AAMNNH A|
long as II Is sensational enough.
When, however, the truth trans
pires, such news Il printed AZ an Il
given some obscure position on al
inside page in small type, while the
original report Of which It is the
correction appeared under bold head
lines on the front page. The editors
credit the public thus with a lack
Of intelligence by means compli-
mentary indeed, they place the pub
lie on a plane Of stupidity even
beneath their own.
Such reports and inspired editor
ials, however, cannot be Of but tenn
porary injury 10 Germans and Ger
man-Amerieans who are i%nferentially
included IN the bcsmirching process.
Eventually, the papers which cir
culate such matter will be dis
credited. The reputation Of the
British nation, so long known to
history as "Per6dious Albion, will
attach to It's syeophants in this
country, and the newspapers which
report and often deliberately amplify
and elaborate upon the false infor-
nation supplied will come 10 be
known, il they arc not already
known, as the subsidized organs Of
the British government.
American Press Prejudices Public
Against Germany
During the twelve years OF my
residence in this country have
noticed and have often heard It re-
marked upon by my fellow German
Americans, like myself naturalized
citizens of this country and certainly
having the interests OF America as
much at heart as the hostile press
Of London, that most Americans,
particularly those or Anglo-Saxon
descent, not only do not care to
know the truth about German al
fairs, but usually dislike if they do
not positively refuse to be convinced
Of Germany's progress. 1t seems TO
me that this is due 10 the fact that
the tremendous influence OF the
British press and its connections
sets up anti- German preiudices.
am convinced that but for this bale
full influence the true extent of
Germany's power, both intellectual
and physical, would have been
known and appreciated, and that ii
il had been, a restraining influence
would have been exerted by this
country, which would have caused
the Allies 10 hesitate and which
might even have prevented the war.
England sel~f-centered and selfish,
has refused to recognize the pro-
g~ressiveness and accomplishments Of
Germany, and the press Of the
United States, as well as OF other
countries, has underestimated Ger
many in every way and has conse-
quently been in a false position be-
fore its readers which it still seeks
to justify by flaming anti-G German
prejudice. At the crisis, Germany
was not understood and only now is
the press awakening to the true
state Of conditions and realizing the
error of trusting so blindly a
country so cynical atr destructive as
England.
The American newspaper holds
the public in contempt. 1t is with
out fear, except Of the ADVERT or,
but full Of favor to various in
.fluences.
The German Public and Its Press
For this the public is in a measure
to blame. In Germany false state
soon discredit a paper, the
public Withdrawing their support.
Here the public stand for it," prob
ably because it finds no models to
turn to OF what a newspaper should
in realty be.
The freedom of the press in the
United States is a growing menace
to the freedom Of the mind Of the
public. The news OF the wal has
been a striking proof of the irres-
possibility Of the press.
The German press is regarded in
a somewhat different light. Unlim-
tied license is not allowed it. If it
gets out Of bounds, the government
may order one or more issues sup,
pressed, or suppression for a longer
time. If the paper objects, it may
appeal to the courts.
The public is thus protected by
prompt executive action, and the
by prompt recourse to legal
measures if it feels itself aggrieved.
AS a result there is a more real
freedom Of the press in Germany
than in this country and vastly more
freedom from the press, and from
the destructive license and pollution
Of public opinion to which the read
ers Of American newspapers are
subjected.
Seffe 6oane, elm 18id6riaer