The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-02-08
HYPOCRISY OF HUNS
TeutOns Fawn on Our Men but SIAN
der Them When their Backs
are Turned
New York Times


Coblens, Feb. illumination of a
large number of letters written by
Germans in the territory occupied by
the American Third army to friends
and relatives in the United States and
other countries reveals a wide range
Of expression of hatred of Americans.
1t should be explained that letters
from Germans here are not allowed
to go to America. because technically
Germany is still at war with the Al
lies. These letters go to the Ameri-
can base censor's Office to be held
until peace is made Meanwhile they
have been examined by the American
censor, and it is TO that examination
/ refer.
1t goes without saying that these
letters, or perhaps nearly all Of them,
were written by Germans who did not
believe. that they would be read by
American officers, and therefore the
expression of their feelings to their
relatives and friends may be taken as
sincere. The expressions of dislike
OF the American are not unanimous.
but there is so much of it In cohnpari-
son 10 the attitude of Germans in Der
son toward Americans that it comes
with striking force. IL is just be-
cause the Germans say one thing to
Americans here in Coblenz and write
another diametrically opposite to
their cousins that it is worth noticing.
Ii is further proof the working&of the
German propaganda.
Here is an example taken from the
Letter of a wealthy woman here:
What One Woman Wrote
"These detestable Americans have
been here again IN my house. First
they came searching for arms. and
now they come again. searching for
food. God speed the day when the
curse of their presence will be re-
moved from u.s."
Incidentally it may be stated that
this search to discover food hoarders
was undertaken not to obtain any for
Americans, but to protect the poorer
Germans against their wealthy neigh
bors.
Many of the letters express resentA
ment because the Americans are bill
leted with the writer's. who seem to
have forgotten that the Germans in
France did not content themselves
with taking only spare room az the
Americans in Germany do. but often
drove out the families.
Scores of letters accuse the Amer
leans of deeds of which they were
never guilty, and criticise the be-
havior of our army, which is perhaps
more exemplary than any other army
of occupation In history.
There are few statements. of facts
In these letters. They are simply the
expression Of the innate feeling which
needs no overt act of the Americans
to force to the surface. They show
how these same Germans bate us.
They know that Americans caused
them to lose the war. and they hate
them for it. their sweet words and
servile obeisances to the contrary not
withstanding.
If one heard any of these express
sions in his daily contact with Ger
mans, it would be different. But one
never does. 1t Is always praise of the
Americans and their army and their
president and their country and their
behavior, and talk of how 1--WE hope
the French do not come when you 60,
because the French are so cruel and
the Americans are so nice"
Germans Frank Talk to Frenchman
That reminds one of an incident
which throws light on the situation
Yesterday was seated in a cafe at a
table next to that of French lieu
tenant In came a German, wen
dressed and speaking excellent
French He asked the Lieutenant if it
was true that the French were COM
ing into CobIenz. The lieutenant re-
Piled automatically that he didn't
know.
81 hope they do" said the German.
''They treat the people in Mayence 50
well and these Americans are good
4 for nothing"
He was one of the Germans who
had been praising the Americans
whenever he talked to them There
one sees the German attitude in a
rutshell. The aspect Of friendIiness
for Americans is false In its entirety
and intended for only personal and
national gain. They continue to try
to stir up trouble between the Ameri-
cans and French.
One may quote the words Of an
American colonel, who is in a posi-
tion to know what he is talking about.
He said:
This German 'comrade' business
got a start among our soldiers, but It
has gone to the bad. You cannot APP
peal to an American by serviIity. and
our boys are learning that the Ger
mans are not friendly but servile, and
the reaction is setting In fast. III
hostilities were to be resumed tomor-
row, there would not be ten deserters
IN 100000 American soldiers on Ger