Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1918-03-14
A Sample of German
Propaganda

While in Los Angeles recently this editor
had occasion to enter drygoods store to
make a purchase While waiting for the
clerk to tie up his bundle the proprietor Of
the store approached him and engaged HIM
in conversation on the subject of the Great
War. A very slight German accent beuay-
ed the storekeepers nationality Flis con-
versation made it more clear still and show
ed his secret sentiments. Here was first
hand, close up view of the general and
secret German propaganda all over this
country that seeks 10 undermine our war
aims and purposes.
This war IS terrible thing began the
Los Angeles storekeeper.
Yes" admitted the Bisbee editor, but
not in the same tone of honor employed
by the shopkeeper.
1T will 90 on and on, said Tie shop
keeper, and come to nothing at the end
but the spending of lot of money and the
loss of lot of lives We haven't had a
real taste of war yet; wait until the casual
ty lists begin to come in next summer. 1t
looks like we ought to stop before then;
don't you think so
The Bisbee man did not. and said SO in
words and accent more forcible than polite.
But the Germans outnumber the allies
on the western front now two to one,
went on this propaganda and we cannot
get men over there because of the sub
marines.
And then the editor unburdened his mind
to the shopkeeper The Germans did NOT
outnumber the allies in the west. On the
contrary, the preponderance of men and
metal still remain with the allies on that
front The Americans CAN get men over
there; have done so; half million of them
at least, and another half million sure to go
before this year has come to an end. The
war ought to go on to decision, cost what
it may, for none of the principles for which
It is being fought are yet settled, nor has
Germany shown the least inclination to
agree that they shall be settled.
Well, to make long story short. the
German shopkeeper backed and filled and
seemed to half heartedly agree and finally
changed the subject But the point of the
story lies In the fact of this concrete case
of propaganda carried on by an alleged
American merchant over his counter with
his customers. We hear of these things
and pass them over with shrug of polite
disbelief But this case came straight home,
and its boldness and purpose were scarce
hidden by subtlety The man soon came
to the point We could not win the war
1t was too costly Terrible losses were just
ahead. Germany was unbeatable. Why
not stop, like Germany wishes us to doa
These are the keystones of the German
propaganda that arches the allied world in
a mist of spies and shams and brides and
subterfuge and dishonor and deceit and
desperate and persevering endeavor to I'M
do by cowardly and disloyal inference what
is being done by courage and patriotism.
1t is as vile as it is far-reaching.
But it can easily be made useless and
without effect if only every man and wom-
an with a drop of red blood in their veins
and speck of thought or information Or
logic viii only speak right out and cram the
lies and whines and poison differences back
down the disloyal threats from whence
they came And there would soon come to
be less of it.
Do not hesitate, friends This is no time
for Politeness and silence and indifference.
Speak out Every man who knows any
thing knows that the allies have the men
and the material to win this war if they will
only fight It out to a finish. Germany