Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-18
PEACEFUL INVASION"
IS TEUTON PROGRAM
lnsidious Propaganda Plans to
Overcome Neutrals by In
dustrial Aggression
WASHINGTON 1uIv 1s

e., WASHINGTON. July IS.
stopped on every hand in his efforts to
invade our nation, the German Emperor is
conuuctlng what is being characterized as
he can reach
Germany's peaceful invasions are direct
eu against neutral countries and are de-
clared to be almost as effective as the dew
asIat,hg military invasions which were pro-
curbed
Inc pacific invasions are Industrial In
character and insduous in operation. Ad-
vices to the State Department declare that
they are conducted with such skill that neu-
tral Governments are at a loss to know how
TO repel them. They take the form Of in
dustrial, commercial and financial influences
"hlch steadily creep into the neutral nations
ana undermine the nome industries and
place the Germans in dominant positions
Inc erect of the pacific invasion of neu-
tral by the Kaiser is to give German bust.
ness men mortgages on so much of the bus.
mess and property of the affected country
that its people and Government dare not
antagonize the Berlin authorities.
From Switzerland the State Department
has received comprehensive reports of how
the peaceful invasion is working there. Ger
many has established great Industrial eA-
hibits, getting foothold for her business
tions are made permanent and German
agents operate from the headquarters, un-
derselling home industries and I'm every way
possible taking Swiss business out of the
hands Of the native operators.
Some of the bolder newspapers accord
ing to the reports received here, already
have begun to inveigh against the German
industrial INVASION pointing out that it is
deliberate scheme on the part of the
Kaisers Government TO gain a foothold in
Switzerland which will not augur well for
the future independence of that state. How
ever the Government, with the spectacle
of Belgium and Roumania before It. is
difiident about making any representations
to Germany which would be sharp enough
to he effective.
The experience which Switzerland is
undergoing is only typical. The same sort
of invasion is being carried on in all neutral
countries which Germany or her agents
can reach. In South American countries
which still are on terms of amty with
Germany, the industrial and commercial
invasion is going forward The American
State Department has very definite reports
on the progress of this propaganda in
China. That nation, preoccuped by in
ternal difficulties, is being overrun by Ger
man agents who are making arrangements
for -bellum business and introducing
German business methods and trade ideas
into the commercial communities which are
intended to give Germany an enduring
trade ascendancy in the Far East.
Even in Japan, which is at war with
Germany, the propaganda Is going for
ward. There are many German sympa-
thizers in Japan and with these the Ger
man agents are able to do business
The disturbing influence of Germany in
Norway, Sweden and Denmark is we'll
known This is declared to be the result of
pacific invasion.
1t is expected that the American Govern
ment will be able to make some counter
moves in this game by using the new ex-
port control powers and officials now are
studying plans for combating the German
trade expansion