Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-06
GERMAN INTRIGUE
IN NATIONS AT WAR
War Council Representative of
Y. M. @. "A. Tells of Teuton
Propaganda and Conditions Of
United States Forces Abroad.


New York, NJ. Y.-The subtlety of Ger
man intrigue and the way in which it
works on the different nationalities was
recently discussed with a representative
of this bureau Of James Whitmore, Am
erican war council representative of the
Young Mems Christian Association, who
has just returned from France. Mr..
Whitmore also told of conditions among
the men of the American expeditionary
force in France, which, he said, were bet
ter than he had expected.
In speaking of the recent Italian re-
treat Mr.. Whitmore said it was undoubt-
eddy the work of German intrigue which
permitted the German forces to break
through the italian lines. This intrigue
could not have been carried on, Mr..
Whitmore said, without the aid of some
inside forces, though OF these forces. he
declared. 1t was impossible to get any
definite traces as yet.
1.-THE work Of German propagandsts."
Mr. Whitmore continued, was carried
out in italy In such quiet way that even
war would be over by January last, and
one officer who was formerly a contrac-
tor of New York, said he expected to be
back in America by that time This
same officer assured Y. M. G. A. man
that at that moment representatives Of
the Allies and Central Powers were meet
ing In Switzerland arranging the peace
terms. This story permeated the whole
Italian army regardless of the feeling of
discomfort which was being evidenced by
hundreds Of Austrians who deserted to
the italian lines
arrived inside the lines, copies of what
purported to be Italian newspapers were
freely circulated among the Italian troops.
These papers were cleverly initiated, even
to advertisements and some genuine
news These papers bore glazing head
lines telling Of bread riots in Italian cities.
that the wives and children OF italian
their lives and that English. French and
Austrian troops had been called in to set
tie the trouble and were shooting the
women and children down.
Propaganda of the same sort is being
spread broadcast in Great Britain and
France. but what results are obtained are
OF different nature. The French peo-
ple are tired of the war. the people at
home are homesick for the soldiers and
the soldiers are homesiclS for their homes.
There is. however, no talk OF peace: the'
French are in this war to he annihilated,
If need be. General conditions in France
are far better than expected and the
same applies to the American expedition
airy force.
in France and have lived with the Am
ericon troops. They have plenty to eat.
There is always sugar to be used. The
morale Of the American troops is as high
as that of any troops living under the
same conditions 1t u.s. OF course tire
some to drill day after day. and some
times at night. When the men get into
the actual fighting they will be a differ
emit body Of men, They gain that zest
which cannot be enjoyed when one is
merely training behind the firing line and
going through sham trench experiences.
1.-THE sale OF Intoxicating liquors to the
American men is being carried on only in
"a limited way. About the only drink
they can get is. light wines and If indi-
f1i hi
be done away with shortly The morals
of the American troops are higher than
one in this country Is led to believe. Also
since the trips TO Paris have been for
hidden, the morals of the troops have
considerably improved.
"A plan is now being worked out by
tourist hotels In the mountains as centers
where the men may gather when they
have leave of absence. These hotels are
far away from towns and cities and will
the scenes of the battlefront. If this
plan is carried through I believe 1t will
be great aid In boosting the morality
of the expeditionRry force.
Americas gravest danger is that Of
being gassed' at homo by German pro-
paganda of the same type that wrecked
the Russian offensive with the offer of q
false peace lure, and which brought de-
feat and almost ruin TO the second Italian
army. An example of the German pro-
paganda. activity of this country was
brought TO my ATTENTION tnS OLIfer Gay,
when a report was received from home
that one of the boys from there who was
serving in one of the training camps in
this country was not getting enough to
While ] was at Camp Dix had dinner
with one of the batteries and 1t was ful-
ly as good as that, we are used to hav-
ing for our Sunday dinner. There was
the best Of food and plenty Of It. Every
thing was well sweetened. In that one
battery they had supply of five tons
OF sugar. Later went through the camp
with the mess sergeant and Investigated
the food situation, finding 1t more than
satisfactory"