The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-12
GERMANS hide TRUTH.
~ aASHINGTON PUBLISHES EVI.
bENCE OF CARE GOVERN
MENf TAKES TO d.
RECT PUBLIC
OPINION.
Series of Secret Instructions Fall into
LANDS OF Uncle Sam's Agents.

Washington, Jan. 7.-Evidence of
the care the German government is
taking to direct public opinion and to
deceive not only it's enemies, but it's
own people, is contained in a series
Of secret instructions issued to the
German press by the censorship,
which have fallen into the hands of
the State department. These instruc-
uons cover a period of less than three
months last year, but they tell very
complete story of how the lTeutonic
wal 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 short
age and difficulties in securing and
distributing coal are placed under the
ban, but newspapers are urged to give
prominence to enemy losses and to
certain prescribed interpretations of
international situations.
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 noti-
fled to seek out and to bring to ruth
less punishment originators and COM
municators Of untrue military politi-
cal, financial and economic reports"
Ir another notice similar warning is
given that the police will proceed en-
ergeticaly against those who repeat
untrue reports. Interesting light is
thrown upon Berlin's view of the
preparations foI war in the United
States by a paragraph Of an order
dated June last. 1t says:
while the news about Americas
war preparations, such as the organi-
~ ton and outfitting Of an army one
million strong to reinforce the French
English front, is looked upon in that
form, as bluff the spreading of which
may unfavorably affect the opinion of
the German people, yet the facts must
not be overlooked, on the other hand,
that the United States, with the sup
port of its capacity for material and
industrial management, is arming it,
self for war with great energy and
tenacity. The war preparations in
America are therefore, as was inti-
mated in tn, Reichstag at the time.
not at all to be made little Of, but
must be taken seriously without on
that account being made source Of
worry"
Another dated June says:
Petit Parisien informs us that FIVE
American divisions, numbering 125, 900
men, may be expected in France 3 in
the autumn OF 1917. 1t is urgently re-
quested not to reproduce this informa-
tion without some comment We do
not wish to underestimate the ability
of America to accomplish things, but
must not, or the other hand, over
estimate. In order to bring a division
over from America $4,000 tons must
make the trip twice, therefore from
the mere fact of lack of space the
transportation of such body Of troops
within certain fixed time limits is i'm
possible. However. it is impossible to
train these troops properly by autumn.
These facts, which have recently been
discussed in the German war news
cannot be too strongly emphasized in
the discussion Of that Of French
news"
Printing Of anti-German speeches IN
the Austrian Parliament are forbid
den in various instances, and the at
titude to be taken by the German
press. both for it's effect at home and
upon Austria Hungary is indicated i'm
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- Hungarian
press. Of course, the fully warranted
and no inconsiderable war aims which
are needed for the conservation and
the development of the confederated
monarchy, as we'll as for a world
peace can only be accomplished if
Hungary adheres to her un-
wi, the German Empire
and its allies and with positive refer
enoe to her military economy and po-
litical forces announces clearly and
positively her firm will TO hold out and
win as is the case with the over