Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-17
Spreading False RumOrS.

favorite trick of the Kaiser's friends in this
country is to start wild rumors that some contin-
gent of American troops has suffered
disaster. Their object is two-fold. For thing,
they hope to create in the popular mind feeling
of discomfort and distrust that will chill the
country's spirit and hamper the working out
of the Selective Service plan. In addition, they
hope to obtain by continual soundngs valuable
hints if not outright information concerning
military plans and movements devise that might
easily succeed If the Government impru-
dent as to enter official denial to each of these
cunningly designed rumors.
An instance in point is the canard, recently
rent Georgia. to the effect that regimet of eng
neers recruited in the South had been lost at
There was not a shred of truth in this fabrication
not even the vaguest sembance of circumstance
on which to base it, Official Washington had def
mite assurances of the safety and well-beng of the
troops in question, did also families in Georgia
whose in the matter was intensely personal
1.-The members of this particular regiment" writes
The Journals Washington correspondent, ARE
to my certain knowledge, well and happy today
as they were when they enlisted in the service of
the United States do their patriotic duty" Ard
very Interestingly he adds:
81 may say. in fact, untoward incident
has occurred to mar the equanimity of the
regiment or seriously disturb the routine of
the average soldiers life. They are delighted
with the change of scenery and pleased
with the character of work in which they
engaged. And, important still, these
boys OF the engineers are favorably impressed
with the methods adopted by the Government
for their physical safety and the manner in
which they are being cared for to bedding
and rations."
The public may rest assured that any misad-
ventures of American forces land will be-
announced officially and promptly; and the graver
they were, the more imperative would 1t be for the
Government to inform the country. All wild
mors of misfortune or disaster, therefore, should
be dismissed false and foolish and of sinister
intent They will not be denied by the Govern
ment, because to do so might be to play into the
very design of the German agents who invented
them as feelers for our plans and develop
ments But let no one be deceived or disturbed by
such gossip. 1t is simply phase of that hydra
headed German propaganda which the people of
Georgia in common with Americans generally
detecting continually.
Germany processes to regard the United States
as a nation of money-grubbers and towards. In
manufacturing reports of calamity to troops
at sea the Kaiser's agents hope to brighten
people into shrinking back from sending armies
to France, vigorous and successful prosecu-
ton of the demands. The Kaisers agents. to-
gether with those disloyal persons who are aiding
Them hope indeed that by playing upon the in
stinct of fear they turn Americans against
their own Government, their own country and their
own most vital cause. That scheme would be shrewd
enough and possibly effective if the assumption on
which it rests true. But not until the people
of Georgia and of America belle all their tradi-
tions will they forsake honor for safety and sink
their souls in cowardice.
AS the rumor of the loss of the engineers regi-
inert was contrived to interfere with the present
stage of the Selectve Service plan so will sundry
other hoaxes be sprung from time to time to dis
turb the public and embarrass the Government.
But they will all fail this has failed despite
the fact that so-called Americans play di-
rectly into the Kaiser's hand. The Seective Serv-
ice law will be carried unswervingly into effect,
as will all other essential measures; and Ger
many will learn to recognize and everlastingly
respect the Americanism she affects to
despise.