The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1918-06-21

Il IL ammed tiut German trade by cspionagc
u practically ~ great a menace 10 the world as
0ermany's military machine: that, Indeed Ger
mAny's military methods and her economic pcne
uation" methods are nterdepcndcnt, and that any
peace which seemed to leave German miitnrism
poweriess would be vain and futile n the German
methods Of trade were allowed 10 continue AZ at
present. The question IL asked whether trade af
ter the war will be a secret service struggle on the
part Of all the nations and whether. as Germany
forced all the powers TO mobilize for militarism.
she IL going to force them also to mobilize for trade
warfare. These questions may seem grotesque.
but able men are raising them. They point out
that the law Of civil eonscripuon In Germany has
made all the business representatives, Of the EN-.
plrN potential secret service agents at the disposal
of the military Authorities.
The French economist, NJ. Lucien Deserves, who
has made special Investigations In this matter
quotes from a secret document. OF which ne mas
seen a copy. containing Instructions TO German
engineer. who are called ppop TO sink Their pro
fessionai pride and 70 devote themselves 20 finding
trade secrets ana TO furthering German trade,
which will be readily possible for them under te
guise OF their professional mantle.
N. Deserves has described the results OF a tour
he made Of neutral countries for the purpose OF IN.
vesugaung German secret service methods OF
trade. Both men and women. he says, are en-
ployed In this way by Germany. mostly young men
and women. Secret service and business promo
don are practically convertible terms. The German
secret service man or woman Is taught the arr OF
trade development and the German commercial
traveller Il taught the art OF espionage. Germany
realizes that the role OF commercial traveller IA the
best disguise for a secret service man and that Sc
ere, service ls the best % all adiuncts 20 trade.
Germany, according to NJ. Deserves. Il inundating
the neutral countries with literature and WIN
agents. The agents are recognized rs by far the
most productive. Printed ocuinen are scattered
and. even II they are followed by many others,
~ -. ...p ForrufFau Where the agents follow
one another. working with mutual aid. their work
IA practical and profitable. They perform not mere
ly a common task they work out n propaganda.
THE Germans" he continues, have been syS
temaacally giving burroughs from the army TO their
mobuiEed men who had been commercial travellers
I'M foreign countries. Thes. men are authorized 10
visit their former customers. but they are espe-
ciauy engaged 20 work with zeal and adroiiness
and 10 produce practical results. Special rewards
are reserved for those who are able TO practice es-
pionaEe ~ the benefit OF Germany. The agent
has a double, or rather a triple, part TO play. lie IL
openly placing his country's ssoducts, he Is cele
brnting his country's glory and secretly he Il gain
ing nformation regarding Germany's %neighbors
and her enemies. Such work r. regarded NJ worth
a reward ana the reward IL paid. In one neutral
country / was struck by the large number of these
German commercial agents who are young. despite
the fact that the country, being at war. needs
young men. But the fact Il that they can serve
their country on this front Just as well rs on the
battle fronts. They are Industrious, insinuating,
tenacious. The promises they make. In the name
OF the great commercial Arms Of Germany, are
kent. They 10 and come as In time OF peace. They
have their own hotels, restaurants, cafes. meeting
places. They are serviceable and they push their
eagerness 20 be agreeable 90 the point Of s%ervility.
While they do not succeed In making themselves
popular, they impose themselves on the business
men because they can quickly obtain from Ger
many what merchants have patiently but vainly
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