The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-07-29


can happen" answered him.
you have never been in Germany, or
you would not say such things" he rem
onstrated. 1T is that sort of ignorance
about Germany that makes Americans
sympathize with Germany's enemies"
1T Is ignorance of America that makes
you think you can change their point OF
view," retorted. you do not know that
the state socialism which you hold to be
the best government in the world is the
exact opposite of the individuaiism on
which America has been founded. Your
German government wraps up happiness
in packages and parcels it out to the popu-
lace here we guarantee to the individual
not happiness but life and liberty for the
pursuit of happiness. You are looking in
Exactly the opposite direction from Amer
lea. You can't make America turn
around"
The Doctor seemed more amused at my
vchemence than angered at my denuncia-
ton of the German ideals. He came back
to the subject of propaganda
There are certain things in the German
plan and point Of view that ought to be
broadly circulated in this country" he
said. isn't there some way to get tbs
newspapers to print them?"
"Not If they see you first, there isn't"
replied "As q matter of fact, I'm not
worrying any about the effect your propa-
ganda would have on the American
people, for think the sort of things You
are talking would just make them laugh.
But if you must get something circulated
why not try the Congressional Record!
1 wouldn't even offer that suggestion il
I thought there was the slightest chance
that any one in America would take your
efforts seriously, but such a. 1t is You are
welcome to it."
Would Use Congregational Record.
I had to explain to the Doctor that II
he could get German member of Con-
gress to read into the Congressional
Record whatever German Explanations"
free of postage. The idea of making the
United States government spread German
propaganda free of charge appealed to
him He thanked me for the suggestion
ard said good night.
As stepped out into the street looked
at my watch. 1t was after two o'clock
in the morning. As walked eastward
toward the Illinois Central station I
heard, somewhere off in the Businesses
Of the Loop" n chorus OF male voices
singing deutschland, Deutschland ueber
Allies" I began to wonder whether I had
not been perhaps little too sure that
nobody would take German propaganda
seriously Here were these fellows. now,
celebrating the fall of Liege, perhaps
American born. likely. More than once.
though i haven't 4 drop of German blood
in my veins and only a high school srnat-
tering of the language, l had Joined Ger
man friends ut kommers or a funniest
in singing deutschland ueber Allies" and
thought nothing Of it. It was n harmless
bit of sentiment. besides, it went to
tune familiar from childhood as that Of
one of our most stirring hymns. But was
it all sentiment? l began to wonder.
A man whom knew as American born,
of American parents. had just revealed
himself to me az German. Might there
not be millions like him? It was incon-
ceivablc to me-yet I did not get to
sleep easily.
Friends Scott at Hun Atroc1ty.
The next day I went to an old and very
wise friend. I told him in detail Of my
conversation of the evening before.
Curious. isn't it, that man like Rumely
should get such an obsession." he said.
But he didn't think he could do any harm
T., Fol hot <hor 10
possible compromise between the Amcri-
can and German ideals, and that the
American people must instinc6vely see
that and remain nnmoved, whatever Ger
MANY might attempt in the way of propa-
ganda.
! had uneasy thoughts whenever !
turned the subject over in my mind.
Finally l wrote some letters to men whom
knew to he just genuinely American
AS l was, men who could have 20 possible
sympathy with the German viewpoint. I
suggested that an organization be formed
60 combat German propaganda in what
ever form it might show its head-and a
little Of the creature was beginning TO b.
visible above the camouflage. My friends
some Of them hold high office-could
not see the need or the danger. They
felt. as l had felt. that Germany could
offer nothing to the American people that
would rot be recognized instantly as hav-
ing 'Made in Germany" stamped on it.
Have you got the German spy hysteria,
too:' one friend wrote me. So little did
we reckon the possibilities of German
propaganda in those far-off days of 1914!
But l was not convinced and it was rot
long before I was to learn a great deal
more about German propaganda and its
methods.
In the next instalment Mr.. Stock
bridge will tell how the project Of
buying>the New York Evening Mail
in tie interest Of Germany was de-
vcloped by DR.. Rumely, also interest
ing details Of what happened at
breakfast with the Kaiser's American
publicity agent and the paymaster ef
the German Embassy.