The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-12
REAL
GERMAN POWER
Using knowledge of Wilson
to Gain Easier Terms
for Berlin.
CONDUCTS A PROPAGANDA
Chief Aim Is to Cause Split
Among Allies-War Talk
Mere Ruse.
CONDUCTS A PROPAGANDA

NopbVf0Nt, I'VE, on T0HFS fesSTtsd.
PARIS. Feb. 11.-Behind the great
German bluff ard the reports that Ger
many still is a formidable military
power and must not be pushed too
cure easier terms OF peace. looms the
figure Of Count Johann Won Bernstorff,
who is working in the same devious
ways that he did when he was tho
German Ambassador at Washington.
He fast is becoming one of the most
influential men in Germany, pulling
the strings Of the show in which pup
pets dressed in German uniforms move
back and forth as he directs.
Some reports received here recently
assert that Chancellor Ebert virtually
is dummy put up by Bernstorff. who
planned the speech that the Chancel-
lor delivered at the opening OF the
national assembly at weimar.
The Germans court upon Bern
storffs skill in diplomacy. especially
his knowledge Of the United States
and his familiarity with the mental
processes of President Wilson. which
he gained while in Washington. TO
play the Americans against the other
Allies and thereby obtain a milder
peace.
Fraternization a. Propaga nds.
Information from Germany indicates
that Bernstorn has adopted to a large
extent the propaganda methods Of the
old Imperial Government and applied
them to the new conditions. Many news
papers have been lined up and are print
ing editorial articles threatening the
ALLIES.
Another feature Of the propaganda 10
an effort to get the people OF the Rhine
lands to fraternize with the soldiers OF
the American Army of Occupation. Ii
! is hoped that the reluctance OF the allied
soldiers and peoples to resume war
once ended will compel the Governments
, of the Allies to give Germany what sne
| wants Every breeze that comes from
| Germany bears the clash of resounding
I arms, but it Is only Bernstorff beating
a dishpan.
, The former Ambassador whom the
/ United States dismissed has had little
difiiculty In persuading the German peo
/ pie to play the role assigned to them
for the American troops are good ma
tured and we'll supplied with food and
| such things as chocolate. soap. con
densed milk and bacon. all OF which the
I Germans crave.
The Rhinelanders have been instructed
rot only to fraternize with the American
troops but to tell them I'VE are glat
YOU are Americans and not the Frencl
or British. the Americans are ou'
friends" This worries some well mean
ing persons who have not been near th'
front either before or since the armis
tIce and gossip runs about Paris. 1t II
too bad the way the Americans are
fraternlzing with the Germans
Tell French They Hate Americans
II can be stated on the best authority
that the Americans about Copienz arr
not fraternizing with the Germans mor'
than the French at Mayence. where tn
Germans say 10 the poilus holding tn
bridgehead: I'VE are glad you arr
French; We hate the British and th'
Americans are savages."
So far the strict orders given by Gen
Pershing have defeated the Bernstorf
plan. but Il Is expected that within {
fortnight a further development OF thi
plan will be developed. Bernstorn at
tempting to take some advantage o
what he considers the lenience Of tn
Americans.
He knows that the American influence
has been exerted steadily toward rails
ing the blockade Of Germany and feed
ing the German people and against
larger military occupation. covering
pr actically all OF Germany. while the ap
pointment of civilian armistice experts
iessening the authority Of the military
| Coutinn,d or Second Pace