The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-01-17
HOW GERMANS HIDE THE TRUTH.
Series of Secret Instructions Falls In
to Hands of Americans.


tanned in a series of secret lnstruc-
tions issued to the German press oy
the censorship, which have fallen IN
to the hands of the State department
at Washington. These Instructions
cover a period of less than three
months last year, but they tell very
complete story of how the Teuton1c
war lords control public opinion.
Owners of newspapers and publish
ers generally not only are limited as
to the character Of the articles print
ed, but in many cases are told what
they should publish and in what
terms. Labor disturbances, food
shortage and difficulties in securing
and distributing coal are placed un-
der the ban, but newspapers are urg-
ed to give prominence to enemy loss
es and to certain prescribed inter-
pretations of international situations.
Severe Punishment.
A hint Of the relentlessness OF the
authorities in Furnishing infractions
OF orders is contained in one notice.
in which attention is called to the
fact that the police ''have again been
notified to seek out and to bring to
ruthless punishment originators and
communicators of untrue military,
political, financial and economic re-
ports.'' In another notice similar
warning is given that the police will
proceed energetically against those
who repeat untrue reports. Inter-
esting light is thrown upon Berlin's
view of the preparations for war in
the United States by a paragraph OF
an order dated June last. 1t says:
Americas Entry.
while the news about Americas
war preparations, such as the organ
ization and Quitting of an army
one million strong to reinforce the
French-English front, is looked up
on, in that form, as bluff the
spreading of which may unfavorably
affect the opinion of the German peo-
pie, yet the facts must not be over
looked, on the other hand, that the
United States, with the support of
its capacity for material and indus
trial management, is arming itself
for war with great energy and ten
acity The war preparations In
America are, therefore, as was in
timated in the Reichstag at the time
not at all to be made little of, but
must be taken seriously without on
that account being made a source of
worry" ..... ......
Another, dated June, says:
Pershing's Army.
"Petit Parisien informs us that
FIVE American divisions, numbering
125,000 men, may be expected in
France. in the autumn of 1917. 1t
is urgently requested not to repro
duce this information without some
comment. We do not wish to under
estimate the ability of America to
accomplish things, but must not, on
the other hand, overestimate. In
order to bring division over from
America $4,000 tons must make the
trip twice, therefore from the mere
fact of lack of space, the transporta-
ton of such body of troops with
in certain fixed time limits is impos-
sible. However, it is impossible to
train these troops properly by au-
tumn. These facts, which have been
recently discussed in the German
war news, cannot be too strongly
emphasized in the discussion of that
of French news"
Strictly Forbidden.
PRINTING! of anti-German speeches
in the Austrian parliament are for
hidden in various instances, and the
attitude to be taken by the German
press, both for it's effect at home and
upon Austria-Hungary is indicated
in the following dated June 6:
"a few days ago the Austro-Hun-
garian press was left free to discuss
the war aims. We can unreservedly
endorse the war aims given out in
the majority of the Austro-Hungar-
ian press. OF course, the fully war
ranted and no inconsiderable war
aims which are needed for the con-
servation and the development of the
confederated monarchy, as well as
for a world peace can only be accom-
plished if Austria-Hungary adheres
to her understanding with the Ger
man empire and it's allies and with
positive reference to her military