SWORD-RATTLING IN SPAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 199, 11 May 1918, Page 7

SWORD-RATTLING IN SPAIN

GERMAN ATTEMPT TO FRIGHTEN NEUTRALS.

Washington, May 9. The State Department lias -issued a copy of a document which has been circulated in Spain by n German propagandist, -which, the State Department says, is undoubtedly of German origin, 'the docmiiont says:—

"Tho Germans have taken incalculable booty in Franco and Belgium, as tho result of tho stupid stubbornness of tho people of Belgium in continuing tho struggle after (hey were dofnted. Fines totalling 120,071,350 pesetas (nearly 4M.,500/)U0) have been imposed on wealthy individuals in the cities, this figure including 15,000 pesetas (£600) in fines imposed on Alsatian children who insisted on speaking French. More 'ban 50,000 British prisoners have been taken as agai 124,800 Germans captured by'(lie British; but it must be remembered that tho British treat their prisoners with notablo kindness, while Germany treats British prisoners with extreme rigour, so that the Germans nave secured a superior moral effect. Several thousand British prisoners have died of disease, scanty food, and other accii.ents If any neutrals contemplate 6iding with the Allies they had best take warning."

This document was circulated beforo the offensive of March 21. Tho document adds that Germany will :iot lose her African colonies as the British Ministers declared. She does not :'ntend to increaso the holdings of the British Em-pire—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.

(The cable news In this Issue accredited to tho London "Times" has appeared In that journal, but_only whore expressly stated is such news £ho editorial opinion of tho "Times.")