The Washington herald., 1922-06-15


beer drinkers and faxen-hared maids.
which he pictures from time to time in The Wash
ngton Herald arouse reminiscent longngs in the
breasts OF many Yankee soldiers afar from the
CHEEKY gasthaus wnerooms OF the Rhineland.
The British journalist, without doubt, is trying
to tell the truth about Germany His effort to
reproduce in newspapers the exact colors and de-
tails OF the he fares among is commendable.
He admits frankly that. with the facts staring him
in the face. he is obliged change some of his
old opinions.
Against no other man living could charge of
pro-Germanism be brought with less justification
than against Lord Northcliffe. He responsible
personally for small OF the poison prop
aganda which circulated in Great Britain and Amer
ica during the war. He proved a good soldier in
the OF the allies. He is entitled to consider
able credit for the successful termination OF the
war. II public hatred against Germany had not
been stirred to the depths it would have been i'm
possible the fullest fighting fervor of the
peoples.
But the British publisher. often mistaken
though he may be. is honest He seeks
gather up some OF the propaganda bombs
spread like "dud" Shells about the world
OF course. his main effort is to prove that
Germany Is prosperous and afford to pay, that
the people are living in luxury and that business
OF all kinds is thriving. But he does not allow
himself to dcviatc from the facts. He pictures
Industrious courteous honest and hosptable people
guiltless of many OF the after crimes charged
against them. We suspect that he would like to
tell OF lazy besotted dishonest and discourteSus
popuace. But he can not lind the facts to support
such a contention.
Lord Northcliffe Scant sympathy with the
suspected tendency OF Lloyd George to encourage
rlo hCt,y Rritai nd
Germany. He is leader OF the considerable NUM-
Der OF English who favor maintaining the old ali
auccs. No small amount OF public opinion in
America supports this policy. But Franco-British
friendship no longer be made firmer by con-
tinual succession OF lies concerning the former
enemy nation. Too many people learning the
actual facts and when these revealed, propa-
ganda :, apt to backiirc its own distributors.
The publication Of Lord Northcffe's articles in
American newspapers may accomplish much good
Too large proportion of the American people still
labor. rndcr the dclusions fostcred by the war.
They still look upon the average German as a
hcartlc.s devil with coven hoofs and pointed tail
whose chief pleasure is burning orphan asylums and
substituting carbolic acid for milk in babies bottles
When such people have the true facts brought
forcibiy to their attention they react violently.
Hence in some quarters OF the United States the
impression is growing that the Germans saints
and the French Scoundrels. Probably some time
will clarse before the ajority OF people arrive at
the conclusion that both made of ordinary
human beings some OF whom excellent people
and others OF whom should be jailed all their lives
for the safety of mankind.
To bring about the desired OF mind the
present articles certain to render considerable
service They certainly not the work OF a
German propagandst. On the other hand. Lord
Northcliffe tries his best discover anything evil
that exists in the Rhncland. Thus far he has un-
earthed very little.
But to Americans familiar with the Rhineland
his articles will be read with unmixed pleasure and
no concern whatsoever for the motives behind
them He is painting picture. His expert
ences are similar to those of nearly every Yankee
soldier who crossed the Luxembourg border after
the arnistcc. They knew the disillusion that
has come the famous publisher.
The cry OF propaganda went mp with the first
letters received from members OF the American
army OF occupation When the home folks learned
that they had been deceived concerning the charac-
ter OF the Rhreland people they were deliberately
led to think their sons had fallen victims to the
sl1te ure OF adventurcsscs in close communication
with the Kaiser But the soldiers knew all the time
that their experiences and reactions not the
result of propaganda and that their at the
hands OF the natives sincere. The American
regiments knew that the tears of the old German
women when they marched away were not inspired
by raw onions.
But it is important that these facts should be
told to the world through the medium of man
whom the world will believe. No better man could
be found for this purpose than Viscount Northchffe