Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-02-07
HINDENBURGS APRIL FOOL JOKE

The Medford Mail Tribune calls attention to the story
in German newspapers that Hindenburg says he will be
in Paris April The date is suggestive that April
fool is in prospect for Germany Probably medal is be-
ing struck off to commemorate the event. like that made
for September 1914a for futurty Of the folly
and futity of frghtfulness
Of course Hindenburg's children" the German peo-
pe implicitly believe whatever the lord tells them
to- but it will take something than creduty to fill
empty stomachsand promises have been the chief diet
Of his children for time and have not fattened
them any, the Mail Tribune continues.
Just a year ago Hindenburg was promising that the
U-boat campaign would end the in six months In
stead it has immeasuraby heightened it by bringing in
North and South America and China. Many other alur
ing promises have failed to materaze the gorgeous rain
bow of German success including the famous strategica
retreat to victory"
There is not much left of the 'impregnabe" linden
burg nehat to denatey check the progress of the
British and French Wherever and whenever the latter
wished they have smashed it. The kaiser far ever
in fact little farther from making his triumphant entry
into Calais Verdun Parisand if he failed before des
pite his superiority in and armament how is he 60
ing to get in now?
Facts concerning America have been kept from the
German people, They know nothing of the gigantic pre-
paratons for underway Newspapers unitedly beit
tie and rdcue America The only that is permitted
the speeches in congress attacking the administration
which displayed proof that America has fallen down
and failed factor in the warprinted to hearten and
cheer the German people,
Only recently the German papers stated that there
but 10000 American troops France that they were
unframed and undscipned and had equipment re-
cent issue of the Stuttgart Neues Tagebat typical of all
the German papers, contained the following "Our field
grays held the American soldier in contempt and refuse
to recognize him as worthy opponent"
German papers claim that the Uboat has made the
transportation Of troops mpossbeand the sinking of
the empty returning transport Antilles described as
being full Of soldiers, all of whom pershed and assert
that the loss frightened America that she has stopped
sending troops abroad
In short the German press and people believe that
America is not seriously in the They poke fun at
Roosevelt but never at Wilson, upon whom is spilled the
vias of German wrath Wilson is always magn figure
calling for black hatred But most of the hate is reserved
for GemanAmericans for not returning to the father
land to fight its battles
1t is not at all improbable that the American front will
be selected of the spots upon which the German
blow will falfor they regard it the weakest manned
by green troops But the Americans viii be ready
and give good account of themselves and help give Hin
denburg his April fool
The Medford papers remarks are sensible and timely
its criticism of the German papers for msead
ing their readers with misnformaton concerning Amer
ica military progress is somewhat harsh These papers
know all about the debates in congress, and the
speeches of the Oregon Nebraska and New York senators
have doubt been published broadcast in Germany /
They have these speeches upon which to base their state
mens that the American army is joke and that this
country will be unable to cut any figure in the war
Hindenburgs promise to be in Paris by April /, is
titled to as much consideration of the remarks
made in debate bV our own public men.