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Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16150, 2 March 1918, Page 8

The Monarchist, successes at the Spanish elections are said to have been largely attributable to German money. It is perlnps natural that the German propaganda should bo anti-Republican rather than anti-Monarchical, although when German ends are to be served tho German agents are quite indifferent as to tho material they work upon. A British resident in Spain, writing in ' The Times," recently described very clearly the principle upon which the Germans work: —

"The German propagandist is not diverted from his_ purpose by any considerations of _ diplomatic propriety or domestic politics. His instructions are to acquire the whole country and everybody in it for Germany. . . . Ho flatters and supports the King as far as it suits hirn to do so, and at the same time works with tho Carlists to undermine the dyniisiy, and with the Republicans to subvert the regime- Ho shows sympathy for the capitalist on the one hand and for labour on tho other; he assists all parties in turn so long as they as isb him. Ho props up each government that is open to his suggestions, and intrigues against every Minister who shows signs_ of independence. Thus the German:sation of Spain proceeds apace."

What makes the propagandist work of tho 80, COO Germans in Spain specially impressive is the modesty of tho Entente propaganda. By paying for it, tho Germans, have obtained an extensive control of the Press, and tho majority of tho Spanish peoplo hear only the German version of events. The Spaniards do not in the least believe, according to the correspondent of "Tho Timoj," that Germany is a foullywronged country fighting against a conspiracy of envious and aggressive rivals; nor do thoy believe that tho Entente ha 3 any respectable motives." The Spaniards liftve never been interested in knowing which side was morally right and which was wrong; who bogan the war, or who has conducted it in the most humane fashion or with the most scrupulous regard for international treaties." They regard tho war as a struggle for purely sellish ends on both sides, and therefore tho Spaniard's first concern is for Spain's material interest. Tho Entente havo not realised this fact; they appeal to the candour and good feeling of Spaniards. The Germans do understand the position, and their thousands of enthusiastic agents address themselves to the business of persuading the people of Spain that to stick to Germany is the wisest and most fruitful policy. I n tho circumstances, one cannot be surprised that the Germans have matters very much their own way in Spain.

Wo aro not sure whether Mr Bonar Law, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was not professing morely official ignorance when he said in the House of Commons lately that ho did not know ■who "Mr William Sunday" was. Ho I had just stated, in reply to a question, | that the Government had not invited the gentleman j n question to visit England. Thei'o arc certain historic cases of judicial ignorance, which would almost suggest that his Majesty's judges never see or speak to anybody when they are off the bench and never read the papers. But a Minister is assumed to be as nearly omniscient as is humanly possible, and in any case almost everyone nowadays reads American periodicals and magazines, and can hardly have escaped frequent references to Mr William Sunday, much better known to millions as "Billy Sunday," the hottest "hot gospeller" of his generation, and the one preacher who can draw a crowd of 20,000 in any building capable of accommodating that number. It is said that he came from the baseball field to the mission pulpit, and ho has not only preserved tho jargon of the gatae, but has embellished it with the slang of the Bowery and tho comic papers, all of which adds immensely, in the opinion of many, to tho effect of his addresses. A preacher who, in referring to a certain incident in Biblical history, said that David threw a stone at Goliath, and struck him on the forehead," is obviously at a great disadvantage with ono who spoke of David "soaking Goliath in tho coco between the lamps."' The giant, according to Mr Sunday's version, "then went down for the count. D-avid drew his sword and chopped off the block, and the rest of the gang boat it."

But Billy Sunday is not all buffoon and acrobat. Ho leaps about the platform when he grows excited, assumes pugilistic attitudes as he challenges the Devil to combat, and simulates tho pitcher of a baseball team when lie puts "hot ones" into the audience, but he is a genuine force in America, and a powerful influence as a recruiting agent. A few extracts from a recent address in Chicago will show his quality:—

"It's tho Kaiser against the Prosjdent; Hohenzollern against Uncfo Sam; Germany against the United States; Kaisor Bill against Woodrow ; Hell against Heaven —show your colours."

"Tho holl the Kaiser has raised on earth makes the hell below look like a side show."

"As for lying, the Kaiser has Ananias outdistanced so far you can't see liis dust."

"As I've said before, turn hell upside down and you'll find 'Made in Germany' stamped on the bottom.''

"Xo man can bo true to his God who is not true to his country. Patriotism and religion are twin brothers.''

"Too many people," this pungont pulpiteer goos on to say, "arc invincible in peace and invisiblo in war. Patriotism means more than getting to your feet when 'The Star-spangled Banner' is played, more than sticking

a flag on your automobile. It means 'get into tho game or shut your mouth.'" "We've s ot some croakers, but God has no use for a man who slanders his country, and no battle was ever won with the flag at half-mast,'-" is another of • his sayings. Crude and unconvontional as is his speech, Billy Sunday, with his voice of thunder and his vigorous gestures, goes straight to the hearts of his hearers. Before he has been going five minutes he has his huge audience leap-

ing to their feet and cheering, and they leave the hall with a bettor appreciation of what Amorica's duty in tho war is than they may have had before. As a factor in a war loan propaganda he should be of immense value, though whether ho would be equally succcssful in England may be doubted.