New-York tribune., 1918-01-08

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7.-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 Ger
man press by the censorship which
have fallen into the hands of the State
Department. These instructions cover
a period of less than three months of
last year, but they tell very complete
story Of how the Teutonic war lords
control public opinion.
Owners of newspapers and publish
ers generally not only are limited as
to the character Of the articles
printed, 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.
Interesting light is thrown upon the
Berlin view of the preparations for
war in the United States by a para
graph Of an order dated June 6 last.
1t says:
"While the news about Americas war
Preparations, such as the organization
and outfitting of an army one million
strong to reinforce the French English
front, is looked upon, in that form as
bluff the spreading of which may un-
favorably affect the opinion of the Ger
man people, yet the fact must not be
overlooked, on the other hand, that the
United States, with the support Of its
capacity for material and industrial
management, is arming itself for war
with great energy and tenacity The
war preparations in America are there
fore 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 a sources
of worry"
"Ships Can't Carry Them
Another dated June says:
"'Petit Parisien' informs US that FIVE
American divisions, numbering 5000
men, may be expected in France in the
autumn of 1917. 1t is urgently re-
quested not to reproduce this informa-
tion without some comment. We do not
wish to undere stimate the ability of
America to accomplish things, but must
not, on the other hand, overestimate 1t.
In order to bring a division over fron,
America $4,000 tons must make the trip
twice. Therefore, from the mere fact
of lack of space, the transportation Of
fixed time limits is impossible. More
over, it is impossible to train these
troops properly by autumn. These
facts, which have recently been dis
| cussed in the German war news. cannot
be too strongly emphasized in the dis
cussion of that French news"
Printing of ;.nti-German speeches in
the Austrian Parliament are forbidden
in various instances, and the attitude
to be taken by the German press, both
for it's effect at home and upon Aus
tria- Hungary, is indicated in the fol
lowing, dated June g.:
"A few days ago the Austro- Hungarian
press was left free to discuss the war
aims. We can unreservedly indorse the
war aims given out in the majority OF
| the Austro Hungarian press. or course
the fully warranted and not inconsd-
cradle war aims which are needed for
the conservation and development Of
the confederated monarchy, as we'll as
for world peace, can only be achieved
if Austria Hungary adheres to her un-
derstanding with the German Empire
and its allies, and with positive refer
ence to her military economy and polit-
ical forces announces clearly and posi-
lively her firm will to hold out and win
as is the case with the Overwhelming
majority of the German people. Sug-
gestions on this point to our press are
recommended"
The Russian situation is mentioned a
few times, one memorandum on June
carrying a warning that reports about