South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-17
CAMOUFLAGE,
ALLIED VIEW
OF HUN PLEA
HySteriCaI Appeal to Yankee
Citizens is Done to Excite
Sympathy and Aid From
Pro-GermanS Here.
Associated Press Service

Associated Press Service.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 16.-In the
almost hysterical appeals of the
German provisional government for
supplies of food and for permission
to address itself directly through a
commission to the American public.
officials here see a purpose to excite
the sympathies Of a large element of
the American population more or
less connected by blood ties with
Germany. With such sympathies
aroused. the German government.
it was said, undoubtedly hopes to in
fiuence the approaching peace con
ference toward leniency.
Such appeals as those which have
been sent by wireless by DR.. Solf.
German foreign secretary, to Sec'y
Lansing were said 10 be quite un-
necessary and not likely 10 have any
beneficial results. Pres't Wilson al
ready has promised to do everything
possible TO prevent suffering among
the civil population of the conquered
oAdACS. Alt tAAACLLt DOMEAS nave ell
dorsed this attitude, not so much
from considerations Of mercy or
sympathy with the foe, as from
genuine conviction that a starving
and desperate people would make
dangerous neighbors; render any
satisfactory peace impossible ana by
appeals 10 the internationalist spirit
endanger the security of the entente
countries themselves. The design Of
the conservative elem snts in the en-
tente states is understood to be to
avoid raising any new issues that
would aggravate these conditions.
Have Sufficient Food.
II is known officially that there is
sufficient food in Germany 10 meet
immediate needs. The supreme war
cabinet is planning to supply food
in the future and before the present
stocks are exhausted, assuming the
distribution.
Therefore il is said to be quite un-
necessary for the German govern
ment to send the proposed commits
sion to the United States TO arrange
for the purchase of food. Mr. Hoover
and the agencies behind him will at
tend to all Of that.
To correct wha appears TO be
general misunderstanding on the
subject it may be authoritatively
stated that none Of this food TO be
sent from America to Germany or
Austria will be given away. It must
be paid for by the governments Of
those countries. Possibly that can
not be done in German cash, for it
is believed that the store of gold in
the reichbank has been practically
exhausted through the heavy pur-
chases which Germany has been
obliged TO make from neutral coun-
tries, for which she has had to pay in
coin for the most part. That stu
alton may make it necessary to es-
tablish a German credit. but II this
is done It will be the act Of the su-
preme war council as part Of its
function in carrying out the terms
and spirit Of the armistices. Amer
lea will not have 70 bear these bur
dens or assume the risk alone.
Another development of the new
German government on democratic
lines as recorded in the press dis
patches is viewed with satisfac ctiOn
here The composition Of the new
cabinet including as IL does sane
and conservative elements enough TO
leaven the whole. is taken as a guar
antee against bolshevik control and
II is hoped that with the assurance
Of not an abundance OF food. but
sufficient 20 avert famine at least
until the new government car be as
sured Of more permanency than
marked the advent Of the first revo-
lutionary, or Mylukoff government In
Russia.