Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-16
Shower Favors on Ameri-
cans to Obtain Lenity at
Peace Table
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Bridgehead District Prosper
GUS and Fairly Exudes Con-
fidence in Outcome
BY EDWIN L. JAMES
Special Gable TO Evening Public Ledger

Copyright. 1918, bv Neto York Times Co.
Coblen1. Dec. 16.--America is now
the subject of one of the most earnest
and determined propaganda campaigns
ever undertaken by Germany. Our part
IN the war is being used as an apology
ny the German army and upon what
america will and VIII not do present
hour politicians in Germany are build
ing their strongest hopes.
The effect of this propaganda has
been that the reception Of the Ameri-
cans along the Rhine mas been not as
conquering enemies. but as friends. Not
only that, but Americans are told that
they won the war. 1t Is being said on
all sides that America Is merciful ma
tion which does not believe in indemni-
ties or annexations or In crushing Ger
many.
There one has the situation in nut
SHE'LL The German politicians are play
ing up America as a great friend at the
Peace Conference, counting on Wilson
to save them from the wrath OF England
and France.
Our Rules Moderate
At first blush one might easily say
that the cordial treatment OF the Amer
leans In Coblenz was due TO the fact
that our army imposed very moderate
regulations and restrictions upon the
population compared to those of the
French, British and Belgian armies.
put no faith in that, believing that no
matter what restrictions were imposed
the treatment would be none the less
fawning,
German propaganda work is thor
ough, II anything. Not only has the
army preached that America has won
the war, but It has instructed the pop
ulation to be kindly toward Americans
and that this would pay. 1t has
preached that America would feed Ger
many.
German eagerness to take advantage
Of the opportunity is shown by the
cry of famine which went forth when
the politicians said that America would
feed the nation. The starvation plea
has been proved false by what the
American Army of Occupation has seem
If the testimony Of what the troops
have seen Is not enough, one of the
German newspapers the other dry re-
printed an American Army correspond
ents story saying that food conditions
in Northern France were worse than
those in Germany. and concluded by
saying that that showed how well the
German Army had fought
Attentions Showered on Americans
The fawning upon the Americans
takes many forms. Americans have
but to enter cafe to get the best
table and the best attention without
asking it or wanting 1t. Forthwith
the orchestra plays American tunes
They get invitations to dinner and such
things. They are told that America
is not really angry with the Germnn
people, that the President did not like
wilhelm and Won Tirpitz. but then
neither do the Germans now. and, any
how, President Wilson never had any
thing against the German people. 1t
Ia asserted that all Is changed and
therefore America should be lenient.
, II America at the peace table should
do for these people what they are hop
ing for, there Is n deep suspicion
that the same Germans who are now
fawning will be laughing at us. When
they speak in lavish terms Of Amer
ica's greatness and say that the world
knows America seeks nothing from
Germany, they really appear to mean
that America seeks no millions in
treasure and, therefore, they reason
and hope that America will persuade
France and Great Britain not to re-
quire German gold by way Of recon-
pense