Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-07-26
SLAv B0GY
ROUSE SWEDEN
TO FIGHT ALLIES
Germans Found to Have Ex-
tensive Propaganda Mapped
Out to Lure SWedes
Into War.
SCHEMES ARE AMBITIOUS
Hoped to Form a Barrier to
Russian Progress Extending
From India to Arctic,
Reports Show.
SCHEMES ARE AMBITIOUS

Stockholm, July PA sensation has
been created through all of Sweden by
the publication of an alleged official
report from a German agent in this
country regarding Il plan to bring Swe-
den into a political, IF not Closer" alli-
ance with Germany as the northern link
In IAN immovable wall against Russia
and against the Asiatic danger" This
wall, representing a new idea as to Ger
many's plans, is referred to as being
constructed by Turkey, Bulgaria, Aus
tria and Germany.
For the work of propaganda in
Sweden the alleged report asks for a
preliminary appropriation of more
than 100000 marks and suggests hat
Turkey and the other allies of Ger
many be asked to contribute their
proper share. The anti-German news
papers in Stockholm comment rather
bitterly upon this suggestion of an in
ternational "slush fund" for Sweden.
but assert that many of the recommen-
dations in the report, evidently writ
ten last December, nave been carried
into effect. 1t also is asserted that the
report explains much of the recent ac-
tivity in Sweden against Russia and
the attempt to force a situation which
would cause Sweden to declare war as
an alley of the central powers.
The report as printed in detail, be-
gins with a discussion of the possible
effect of a Russian offensive this sum-
mer. 1t said hat if Russia showed
sufficient signs OF recuperation to re-
organize it's armies into an effective
force, 1t would be necessary at once to
carry forward Il propaganda in Sweden
showing the Swedish people how
nnf 4 yo,y1r 1~ 10 H1>D:~, l,-~ ~-~
to interfere and ally themselves with
Germany thus preserving their pres
ent interests and assuring their flu
ture." The report is addressed to
Your Excellency" and says among
other things:
union in mind, considerable work will
be necessary to win g the Swedish
elements not already on our side and
actively favoring an alliance will, the
central powers Swedish sentiment
cannot be swayed by sporadic methods.
1t must be trained by systematic and
sustained propaganda. We must win
over the entire people by an intensive
effort. This propaganda must be eau
tiously executed if we are to gain the
active interference of Sweden. We
must be particularly careful not to let
1T appear that the propaganda springs
from "A foreign source. Every political
thinking Swede must be convinced that
he had made his choice voluntarily and
In the interest of his own nation.
I'm the opinion of pro-German poll
tlclanS Sweden has not como into he
war because she has lacked a direct
cause. But gradually the political in
fiuence are becoming more and more
u"nfaNOrable to the entente, especially
to England. The new constellation OF
nations, arranged by German diplom-
acy in the Balkans, has tended to win
mot 11 f1,a l,,p $500 l,A l..t tI- -a--..
of the Swedish people for the central
powers.
Concerning the tactics of the pro-
paganda it should be carried forward
on three main lines:
First, opposition to and guarantees
against British power.
Second. information concerning
true conditions in Russia and the dam
ger threatening Sweden from that
quarter.
Three, the advantages of d lasting
union with the central powers.
The so called a~ctivist group in Swe-
den has lost considerably in influence
lately. Perhaps The designation was
unhapplly chosen, for even some of the
best pro-Germans. who believe in the
ultimate goal OF war on behalf of Ger
many. have hesitated publicly to align
themselves with the group which has
demanded immediate action without the
necessary working up of public opinion.
There is no denying that in the last
10 months sentiment has been growing
against throwing Sweden into the hor-
rors of the war without a compelling
cause. The pro-German group, how
ever, iii it's press and in it's agitation
against the entente powers, has been
directing public opinion toward a neu-
trality as 1t should be.
THE only thing lacking to put
through a big plan in Sweden is in
itiative n systematic work. One of
the main things is a treatment of the
questions between Sweden and Eng
land. We must convince Sweden n
her position is going to be rendered
more and more difficult by England.
If a little money is spent, a whole lot
can be lone along this line by clever
propaganda. We must adopt the pol
Icy of arranging lectures upon osten-
sibly cultural subjects, in order to pre-
sent the righteous cause and objects
Of the central powers in the proper
light. The main causes OF entente sym
pathy in Sweden. l find, are as follows:
1.-THE publication in Germany Of
annexation of territory plans.
"2-The supposed over development
of German militarism.
"3-The violation OF Belgium neu-
trality.
"4-The U-boat war Q4usitania).
"5-The assertion Of entente friends
that Germany alone was preparing to
bring about the war.
"6-The publication here OF article.
asserting the danger Of German i'm.
perialism. which would reduce Swedep
tn q VA ca1 cfoth NJ Tho n~raro