New-York tribune., 1918-12-11
Propaganda Against
Britain Carried On
Among Our Troops
American Defence Society
Issues Warning and Says
1t Is Work of BoIsheviki,
Pro.Cermans and Irish

Evidences of growing anti-British
propaganda, carried on secretly among
returned soldiers, were disclosed yes
terday by members of the American De-
fence Society and other patriotic organ
izations. Following reports made to
him, Richard NJ. Hurd, of the defence
body, issued warning to civilians and
uniformed men alike to beware of con-
certed attempts to break up Allied unity
in this period of diplomatic stress.
James B. Townsend, of the executive
committee of the American Rights
League. also connected actively with
the National Security League and the
American Defence Society, declared
that steps should be taken at once to
stop the movement, which, he declared,
originated from Bolshevi, pro- Ger
man and Sim Fein sources
Two men in the uniforms of American
soldiers had a British flag hauled down
under threats from in front of Mr.
Townsend's home, at 299 Lexington
Avenue, last Sunday, on one of the
boldest manifestations of the propa-
ganda, he said.
at was at A o'clock in the afternoon,
when no one but servant was at home,
when the pair, who appeared to be
about thirty years old, came up to the
front door and pounded violently" said
Mr. Townsend. at was Britain Day,
and | had a large British emblem fI8at-
ing from a flagstaff on the second floor
before the servant could answer the
summons the supposed soldiers pulled
the bell and literally burst in V hen the
door was opened.
"'Take that British rag down. the
men shouted. 'Wc won't have it float
ing up there!'
when the servant demonstrated
they answered that it was against the
law to raise the British flag, and made
threats If it were not taken down at
once. Thoroughly frightened, the SER
want went upstairs and took in the ban
rer. It was not until then that the men
went away"
Mr.. Townsend added that the in
stance could be multiplied great many
times. He said a few days ago he was
stopped by two uniformed men who
asked him for light. They said they
had just come from overseas and were
certain of getting "back into the fight"
shortly.
eve won't be here long," they said.
"Weve got to 60 back to fight Eng
land She wants to rule the world,
and We'll have to go to the mat with
her unless We want to go under our
selves"
At another time Mr.. Townsend heard
a pair of men in uniform express the
same opinion to d civilian. When he
warned them that they were spreading
unpatriotc propaganda he was told
that he was "a damned Englishman
himself"
'I've heard the same sentiments from
all sides and it is growing bolder all
the time" said Mr.. Townsend 81 am
satisfied it is German and Irish propa-
ganda, and comes from the same
sources which gives rise to the Boil
shevik demonstrations here. East Side
Socialists and other agitators are get
ting III touch with the returning SOL
diers and are putting these ideas into
their heads. 1t may grow to dangerous
proportions and a campaign OF publicity
to stop it should be begun at once"
Mr., Hurd in his statement declared
that the American Defence Society had
long warned the public against anti
British movements. He said he did
not know the source of the present agi-
tation, and stated that it was quite
possible for the propogandists to don
fake army uniforms to help carry out
their plans.