The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-08
Police to Bring to Ruthless Pun.
ishment Authors of Un-
welcome Information.
LIES ARE ESPECIALLY URGED
REPORTS of Peace Efforts on Rus.
sian Front Neither Publish
ed Nor Discussed.

Washington, Jan. S.-Evidence Of
the care the German government is
taking to direct public opinion and to
deceive not only it's enemies but its
own people, is contained in series
of secret instructions issued to the
German press by the censorship
which have fallen into the hands Of
the state department. These instruc-
tons cover a period of less than three
months of last year, but they tell a
very complete story of how the Teu-
tonic war 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.
Ruthless Police orders.
A hint of the relentnessness 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 not
flied to seek out and to bring to ruth
less punishment OriginatOrs and COM
municators of untrue military, polite
al. financial and economic reports"
"In another notice similar warning
is given that the police will proceed
energetically against those who re-
peat untrue reports"
Interesting light is thrown upon the
Berlin view of the preparations for
war in the United States by para
graph of an order dater June last.
1t says:
America in the War.
''While the news about Americas
war preparations, such as the organ
ization and outfitting of an army one
million strong to Il, 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
fact must not be overlooked, on the
other hand, that the United States
with the support of it's capacity fol-
material and industrial management
is arming itself for war with great
energy and tenacity. The war prep
arations in America are therefore, as
was intimated in the 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" 3d..
Play Down information.
Another dated June 9 says ~,
Il "Petit Parisiene informs us thai
five American divisions, numbering
1G5 900 men, may be expected II
France in the autumn Of 1917 1t Is
urgently requested not to reproduce
This information without some com
ment. We do not wish to underestl
mate the ability Of America to accom-
plish things, but must not on the othel
hand. overestimate it. In order tt
bring q division over from America
". 900 tons must make the trip twice
Therefore, from the mere fact OF lacl
of space the transportation OF such
body of troops within certain fixet
time limits is impossible. Moreover, i
il impossible to train these troop
properly by autumn. THESE 1act
which have recently been discussed II
the German war news can not be to-
strongly emphasized in the discussion
Of that French news"
The Russian Question.
The Russian situation is mentlone'
few times, one memorandum OF Jun
9, carrying a warning that report
about pretended negotiations TOR
truce on the Russian front may neltf
er be published nor discussed =.
Another about the same time said
"In one of the future issues
might be mentioned that the presen
situation in Russia has the appearance
Of being caused by the entente wit
the view of her (Russia) continuin
for a time-perhaps until the actua
participation by the Americans. Hoy
long that will be remains to be seer
II is of consequence "a matter OF i'm
portance) to set forth the opinion tina
a new offensive will speedily TAX