The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-23

stantly telling the German people de-
liberate falsehoods. Often they are
caught with these falsehoods, by some
one circu1arizing news that appears in
enemy or neutral newspapers, that
contradict the Government '<informa-
ton For that reason the German
Government continuously sends out
false reports, and when such news is
printed in the neutral or enemy news
papers, the authorities compel through
many influences, certain newspapers
to reproduce them, labelling them as
having originated outside of Germany.
The natural conclusion is that the
German people doubt equally the
truthfulness of all newspapers, foreign
or domestic.
I found the people in Germany dis
gusted with all newspapers. People
constantly came to me asking for in
formation, and whether I quoted them
a newspaper statement, no motter how
reputable the paper I quoted, they
shouted in disgust: '"Ten as what you
know, newspapers are all 1iars!'
Consequence Of Hun Lies.
The very sad result is that people
do not read newspapers.
was surprised to learn that many
learned and intelligent Socialists had
not read the speeches and statements
of the leading enemy public men
I also observed that the authorities
have been systematically confusing the
foreign observers.
One time the Government would
permit the stories of terrible food con-
ditions in Germany to go out unob-
structed.
In many cases the authorities even
helped the would-be observer to see
and report the worst conditions
imaginable in many industrial centers.
Then they would personally conduct
other observers to see and feel for
themselves, plentifulness everywhere.
Unknowingly to each other, these
two sets of observers would send out
their reports regarding Germany to
their different newspapers. The re-
ports and observations of these two
sets of reporters are at 50 much
variance, that the people of their coun-
tries would refuse to believe both
sides.
An Illustration.
This condition was illustrated to me
by Spanish journalist who has just
left Germany in disgust, but neverthe-
less discredited as a journalist. He
was permitted to travel quite freely,
and see for himself the food condi-
lions in Germany. He felt that he
saw a, great deal. He was then ap-
preached by a Government agent and
the proposition was put to him in all
sincerity that the German Government
would not put obstructions in his way
should he decide to publish his OBJ
servations in Germany. In Spanish
newspapers. The German Govern
rnent, he was told, would welcome the
publication of these true reports to
convince the world that Germany's
desire for peace was sincere. He
travelled to Holland, and forwarded
to his agency copious reports about
privations in Germany. Simultaneously
another agency representative was in
duced to leave for Denmark, and re-
port 'ttruthfully'' what he had seen in
Germany, and how much food Ger
many held in reserve, and that he had
seen only isolated cases of sufferings
and privatfon.
After thus having sent their reports.
they returned to Berlin, and shortly
afterwards both journalists, received
their discharged papers from their
headquarters at home. Both news
agencies at home had circulated the
contradictory my Observations in
Germany" and both found themselves
diseredited in the eyes Of the Spanish
public. The reports appearing under
the same date were SO contradictory,
that people could not help doubling
both of them.
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