The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-21
HOW NEUTRALs REACT.

Uncle Sam is fighting to make the
world safe for democracy, and the re.
sui, is. wherever democracy is allowed
10 make itself heard, it is working
hard for America and her allies.
This is especially so in Neutral
Europe. and is constantly reflected in
their newspapers. In Sweden, Nor
way. Denmark, Holland, Spain and
Switzerland the wage earners' parties
are usually pro-ally. The army Off
GERS, the aristocratic classes, big bust
ness, and the esta blished church are
strong for Germany.
This is especially so in neutral
Sweden. The army officers of both
countries had German training and
admire German methods. The aristoc-
racy of both countries look to Ger
many as the last defender OF royalty
The clergymen of the state Lutheran
church in Sweden and of the state
Catholic church in Spain are both pro.
German.
Il. Spain the Germans have been
po~prful also because they have sub
siuL.ed many of the leading news
papers. Not long ago the king of
Spain was quoted as wittily saying:
an Spain no one is for the allies save
myself and the plain people" The
big metropolitan papers are mainly
prof. erman. Thus "A B. c." had an
interview with Bernhard telling of Ger
many's unimpaired military strength
and Espana Nueva discoursed upon
Englands inability to cope with the
submarines.
Corree Espanel speaks of the bad
bread in France and emphasizes al
legged strikes in England, news OF
which it receives from German wire
less service. Debate shows anxiety
over the proposed economic alliance
against Germany and the Nacion de-
clares union with Germany is Spain's
only course after the war. Occasion
ally some leader like Count Roman
ones takes the opposite view.
In Sweden the big papers like Aften-
bladet and Nya Dagligt Allehanda are
proc erman. Papers like Social DEM
okraten, which appeal to the working
class, are more or less prO-ally.
In Norway the overwhelming senti-
ment of The newspapers is for the
allies, reflectng he feeling of the peo-
ple, There is little active pro-German
propa ganda in Norway. ,Morgenbladet,
one of the leading papers, says ut is
not mere play when Uncle Sam shakes
his mailed fist"
Switzerland is hot-bed of German
propaganda. Two and half times as
many Swiss speak German as French
and Italian and some of the big pa.
pers are recognized as organs of the
German government. This is especial
ly important to Germany, as Switzer'
land is a sort of hotel lobby where all
the representatives of the belligerent
nations cross each others path
Holland is under the German tigers
paw. AS result, the papers there
are less outspoken, arways with the
exception of the Telegram, which fear
lessly attacks Germany, and which
printed the famous cartoons of Louis
Raemaekers, which resulted In a
Dutch court proceeding against the
artist at the instigation of the Ger
man legation Paemaekers was not
convicted. In the main, however, the
papers try to preserve neutral at
titude, blaming both sides. They scold
England for extending the mine fields
In North sea waters and complain
loud and long because Germany sinks
Dutch merchant vessels.
Poor little Denmark is also always
obsessed by fear of Germany. Social
Demokraten, the working class paper
is strong for the Stockholm peace con
ference and for peace by agreement
1t spends much time scolding the Uni
ted States and England for opposing
this kind of peace.
Old saying revised: There's Ger
man in the woodpile.