Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-28
German Propaganda

live up to its reputation. The letters were writ.
ten IN this country to Mai Franz Won Papen
military attache at Washington. who, with his
pal. Captain Boyd, ware deported for plotting
against the peace of the United States. Instead
OF destroying the discriminating documents and
covering up the trail of the plotters, Major
Won Papen carried them home and into Palestine
where he was attached to the staff of General
Sanders. German commander of the Turkish
armies routed by the allies under General Al
lenby. A sudden assault and capture of Naza-
reth, the Turco German headquarters brought
into allied hands most of the headquarters rec
ords, among them the letters which Major Won
Papen accumulated in the United States.
:, One. of the letters to Won Papen, dated
November To- 1916, is from the pen Of DR.. Hans
Albert, German paymaster in New York. and
is instructive, both as review of the presidential
campaign and prophetic of subsequent events.
DR.: Albert declared that, owing to the ever
recurring unrest due to the submarine warfare.
he found himself unable to make Roadway in
selling German war bonds and carrying into
effect certain other financial operations. the ma
ture OF which was not disclosed.
Il have been quite taken away from the
propaganda work." DR.. Albert continued II
have never been able to render energetic assist
ance to Fuehrs bureau by obtaining for that
Institution material relating to economic mat
tiers. This is all the more important as state
ment dealing with the economical and financial
condition of Germany has become ever more I'M
portant. In. this connection, there has been
found brilliant voluntary helper in the person
of Professor Bonn.
ganization OF the German representation in the
United States is far from being equal to deal
with the questions WHICH are so important and
which are continually arising afresh. We suffer
from thoughtes which; offers sad con-
trast to our supposed efficiency. They appear
in Berlin not to understand, or not to wish to
understand the regulation Of the repre-
sentaton of German interests, based upon the
conditions obtaining in peace times and the
formal separation of ambassadorial from con-
sular business have proved quite inadequate to
present times
"The English recognized the need of the
centralized organization to deal with the ques
outbreak Of war In view of the new conditions
and altered circumstances these assigned to
their ambassador special adviser Sir Richard
Crawford. and placed under him a staff of ex-
perienced officials.
I'm my opinion. serious disadvantages have
been caused through lack of proper organization.
Our policy of hindering the export OF materials
stuffs. would have been conducted into a proDer
channel by an intelligent organization. The
measures adopted by the English could, in my
opinion, have been successfully combaed in
part. (neutral homage. counter operations on
the produce exchanges, nsurng of supply of
raw materials through contracts)
"a fresh organization Of the German loan
in the United States. by means of which this
could be considerably increased has so far failed
to be realized. owing to the division of German
representation and the absences of centraliza-
ton. In this matter, as we'll as in number of
others, much useful work may still be done. But
| have given up hoping that the A. A. Aus
for> >.:I
abandon the old method They cannot. though
It is depressing to have to say so, get their
ill-whl against NE. whom they regard as an
intruder from the home service These facts
render impossible a clear statement of Ger
many's economic and financial position and all
influencing of American government officials by
means of conversations and expert argumenta-
tons inregard to economic questions.
THE point of greatest interest is, of course,
the result of the presidential elections. Al
though, on the evening of the seventh of No
vember it was considered that the victory of
the republican party was certain. and the as
sumed success of that party was, in fact. cele-
brated. >fnal count of the votes showed that
Wilson was again elected. What effect this
will have on future developments cannot be per-
ceived at present 1t is certain that Wilson will
have position Of much greater independence
and will feel himself possessed of greater power.
as he will be freed from the consideration of
another appeal to the country. 1t must be
doubted, however. in view of past events that
he is the man to cope with serious situation.
1T is to be feared that he will not free him.
self from impulses and half measures. and that
on this account his lack Of sympathy for Ger
many and his inclnations toward the allies will
prevent his adoption of purely neutral attitude.
! 1T is also to be feared that matters have
developed not only in Anglo-American. but also
in German-Amercan circles. too greatly, and
during too long interval Of time, in a drec-
ton unfavorable to us. 1t is consequently to
be feared that an alteration in the state of
affairs is no longer possible. Some even fear
that Wilson, who is regarded as revengeful will
pay back Germany By renewed strict measures
for the Intervention of many German American
circles on behalf Of Hughes and for the alleged
influencing by Germany of the German-Ameri-
cans. although as matter Of fact this was not
DONE
Revival of the former measures is, there
fore. expected, as well as strict investigation
with regard to the conveyance of contraband
goods and a sterner attitude on the submarine
question. For my part, consider these. fears
as exaggerated. although it cannot be. denied
that there is certain justification for them. |
do not give up hope that Wilson. whose great
est ambition is to have brought about peace will
decide to continue his efforts This would. in
my opinion. outweigh everything else. From
this point, I cannot perceive how Europe: can
obtain peace without the intervention of, the
most important neutral power. Z
Moreover, Wilson has committed himself
to certain extent to this policy. I sincerely
hope that, on the German side, submarine war
fare will be restrained within the limits conceded
to it. Not only would passage Of these limits
destroy confidence in our reliability. and the
value Of our assurances for an indefinite period,
but 1 also think it would seriously prejudice
Gerndan-American interests, A loss Of life, not
to be justified according to the standards OBJ
tanning here. would, in my Judgment, lead TO
breach .of diplomatic relations;t and a further
loss OF life should bring the United States into
the war on the side Of the allies. ...r"