Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-26
French Know War Is Against German
People as Well as Ruler
BY Herbert Corey.

DARIS, Jan. 2.-William H. Taft rang bell in
the gallery of French public opinion the
other day when he said:
We are at war with the German people as
well with the German government"
France has always known that. Whether the
German government, Prussianism, or militia
rism, or whatnot put it there, there is sinister
ego in the German people of today that must be
exercised before the world can have peace. The
kaiser may be responsible for a good deal, nut lie
is not wholly responsible for the German OFFICER
who was captured the other day at Verdun. Rather
a decent fellow, his French captors reported They
lack that iron ability to hate that the Germans ana
the Anglo-Saxons have. They rather liked him
DO you think that Germany will VIM" he
was asked.
know that the Russian and Italian affairs do not
mean the war is won by any means. But we will
time"
His French questioners were puzzled. They
repeated that last phrase:
Enough for the time?"
Yes" said he, quite seriously. I'VE will not
get all want in this war. But in the next war
we shall take ALL
Every one on the allied side is thinking only
of such end to this that there may never
be another war-at least that there shall not be
that shall endure. This German officer wants
peace that shall be jumping-off place for the
next
LIKE ALL GERMAN PRISONERS.
If he were just mitary-mad man-merely an
individual gone dafy with the thought of world
loot.-he might be disregarded But he is rep
resentatve of the Germans captured by the allies.
1t is positive diocy to put any faith in the stories
of lowered German morale shown by German
prisoners. The morale of all fresh-caught prison
ers is low tenough. But these Germans cocky
enough after they have been fed up and warmed
through.
81 want to subscribe to some technical papers,"
said German prisoner recently taken by the Eng
lsh. 81 must keep up with the metal trade
am going to open an office in London after the
war
mot in the metal trade" said the officer who
talked with him, grimly There will be no more
control of the British metal trade By Germans
after the war. Our eyes open now"
The German was indignant. Incidentally, he
spoke excellent English for he had been schooled
in England.
But this is outrageous" said he. eff you at
tempt to interfere with conduct Of trade you
will bring about another war. I warn you Ger
many must be supreme"
1t is safe to say there is not one German pris-
one in one Misunderstanding those who truckle to
their captors and dare not speak their minds
who does not talk of the lineup of alliances after
the war.
1--WE will possess Russia" they say, land
France and Italy will be too weakened to dare en-
ter an alliance which may trap them into another
conflict with the conquering race. Give us twenty
years to breed a new generation-and then there
shall come the end of England"
How about the United States?" an American
officer asked the other day.
AMERICANS AS 'FATHEADS."
Americans fatheads,' said the prisoner,
contembtuously. They think too much of peace
they believe too easily. They permit too much
liberty too. They are at war with us, yet the
States. When this war is over we can whip the
United States overnight"
"And South America?"
I'VE did not know, how strong we were-be-
fore" said the prisoner Now we shall take what
we want" - -.
over in Spain German merchants have 'buIlied
their fellow merchants into taking pro-ay pictures
out of their windows weak Spanish govern
ment has been compelled to imprison Spaniards
who were passengers torpedoed Spanish ships
for alleging that the torpedo was discharged by
German U-boat
In italy and Switzerland German residents
have been open agents for the central powers. In
Italy they have conducted intrigues against the
government. In Switzerland they have taken adj
vantage of the fact that Switzerland is neutral and
wishes to stay neutral by openly and almost con-
tuousy smuggling food across the border
'I watched the smuggling going on at the Dor
der at Bale" certain man told me, until I was
observed by Swiss guard.
For heavens sake go away!' he begged. DO
you want to get me into trouble with the Ger
mans? They have seen you watching them
"Are you afraid of the Germans"
eve are all afraid of the Germans" said the
guard. "They know the Swiss are weak, and so
they bully u.s."
One might go on giving instance after instance
in which individual Germans showed the same IN
pleasant streak that the government has shown
the world If any fancies that the German of
today regrets the Belgian loot the atrocities of
northern France that one is mistaken. Neither
the individual the German press denies or
apologizes for these crimes. Germany taxes the
attitude that:
1T served 'em right. Next time they'll get out
of my way"
out now That is why the man in the tramcar and
In the restaurant turned to his neighbor and ap-
proved Mr. Tafts statement that:
1--WE are fighting the German people as we'll as
the German government
cat last" the Englishman and the Frenchman
say America is waking up