The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-16

OF the Cnited states toward the war.
| The Cologne Gazette. which calls Ger
msn-Americans "our best allies"
concludes with the remarkable de-
claration that the German-Americans
although good Americans" consti-
tute "a sounding board" for the Ger
man cause in the United States and
that their direct influence" upon war
affairs is an asset for Germany such
as exists in none of the other coun-
tries with which the Kaiser is at
war.
The Cologne Gazette declares It Is
ito combat this German influence
that Lord Northcliffe and concludes
as follows:
1T Is our interest to promote as
much as possible the process of re-
covering their senses which, even &C
cording to English witnesses. is noe
taking place among the Americans to
an extent that can no longer be con
cealed. II we show them we cannot
be bluffed and simply shruE our
shoulders over clustering reports
about preparations from the United
states, American respect for us will
only be increased. In addition, TO such
NJ N@NNhA ar AAAN OF COTnunl-
cations permits, there must be stimuli
taneously a campaign OF political
propaganda.
ANY American who is convinced
that Germany Is conducting a war OF
defense and does not think OF inter-
fering with the independence OF SJJth
America or the political Interests Ct
the United States in Central Ame,i.a
Is lost for the purpose OF the entente
Germany's Best Allies"
The English correspondents at
Washington admit that the greatest
danger for a decisive conduct OF the
war in America lies in the German
propaganda. Our best allies viii
continue to be, as hitherto, German
Americans. their services to the
German cause can only be underesti- |
mated by people grossly ignorant Of |
American cOnditions-by no means |
seldom the case in Germany.
As good Americans our compatri- |
OTIS have hitherto not pursued a poll |
icy OF political separation. They |
therefore do not constitute any ma
tional group OF their own in the po- :
litical life OF the .niOn which Is not |
a constellation OF natiOnalities. Their
80 - AANNhANs NAA AllF oAnfT q.
is all the greater, inasmuch as all
classes. professions, political circles
and other sections OF American So
ciety are permeated to highest de- I
gree with COMMUNICATIONS. They
inject into American public opinion /
an element OF restraint and circum-
spection which already has often
been the cause Of embarrassment to
Herr Wilson and his English friends.
We may be certain they also at this
hour are at their post"
The article begins as follows:
The lmperialistic and capitaIistIc
interests, which stake all their hopes
on a victory for England. naturally
are heart and soul in the war and
will do everything to whip up the
people and popularize the war. One
should not underestimate their power.
They rule the press and WELD a El-
gantic influence at the Capital The
President himself is whole-heartedIy
on their side.
Enormous Forces Of Resistance.
One must also not forget, however.
that they are confronte- by enormous
forces Of resistance. The American
people are inspired by a deep-rooted
prejudice against precisely those CAPT.
talists who are the real war ze8lots.
For years the people feel they have
been exploited by these classes and
only elevated President Wilson and
the Democratic Party to power in
order to paralyze their influence.
As soon as the people realize that
the war into which they have been
seduced with catch phrases Of moral
Ity is really a war Of these big inter
asts their awakening is likely to be
aven more thorough tnan IT already
is. 4
''It is true that the more sensible
and broad masses OF the American
people have also approved the war,
out by no means in order to accom-
plish the purpose OF the American
money powers.
American Wars In Prospect.
The Nation fears a German attack ,
IN South America and wants 10 pre- {
sent IL by assisting in the defeat of !