"FRATERNISATION"

Levin Daily Chronicle, 9 July 1918, Page 4

"FRATERNISATION"

Germany gained a greater-victory over Russia as the result of "negotiation" than ever she did on the battle field. Her success was so extraordinary that she naturally desires to repeat it against the Wsstern Alliance. She has tried and will make further attempts to prepare the ground for peace (which means the Gorman conquest) by negotiation in the West. One of the means for decoying the Russians into the Teutonic net was the careful manner in which she encouraged tho Russian troops to '' fraternise.'' The following official order sent by the German Genoral Staff to -each of the divisions near the Eastern front shows the systematic way in which the enemy prepared to poison the minds of the Russian soldiers:— , 21Sth Army Division, Ist Section, No. 2GS. Secret. Not to bo taken to front positions. Order to the division: , 1. In conformance with the order transmitted over the telephone of the group Gerock, No. 2098, it is necessary to develop the propaganda among the enemy armies with particular intensity.

2. The aim of the propaganda is to disorganise the foe's army, and to obtain necessary information about it.

3. The propaganda must bo conducted: (a) By throwing into the enemy trenches a large number of newspapers and manifestos for the intellectual- elements of the army; (b) by persuading the masses orally and selecting credulous officers and sergeant* in tlio enemy's troops.

4. The front communication posts arc subject to the authority of the commanders of tlie corresponding companies. The duty of the latter is as follows:- —(a) In his section he must seek out favourably situated points from which newspapers, manifestos, etc., might be transmitted to the enemy: (b) at those points he must Gudcavour to enter into communication with the enemy through our interpreters, ant!, if the enemy is disposed to do so, appoint a definite hour for meetings.

5. Every agreement in this direction must bo immediately communicated over the telephone to the head of the divisional bureau of information. Tlio head of the bureau of information alone has the right to parley with the enemy, according to definite instructions given to him. The communication posts, directed by company commandors, must merely prepare the ground for such parleys.

6. Our soldiers are strictly forbidden to enter into communication with the enemy, except as ordered above, for this would facilitate enemy espionage. In any event the enemy will try to take advantage of the kindly disposition of our soldiers. The strict order (No. 39, of May 28, 1917) regarding this matter remains in full power. Written and printed matter brought by the enemy must be accepted and immediately forwarded to tho head of the bureau of information. It is 'strictly forbidden to open them, and, in general, to touch them. •

5. Companj' commanders will begin their activities most successfully by locating, first of all, tho points where tho enemy accepted the papers placed for him, and where he has proved hostile to our propaganda; where he moves freely and without fear in his trenches; and, finally, where his behaviour is decidedly hostile and Positions where artillery observation posts are discovered should be avoided, for French officers and instructors may be there. S. The success of opening communications with tho enemy by the abovedescribed methods depends on the adroitness with which the first steps are made. Shouts will only frighten the enemy, who is timid by nature, and throw the whole post" into alarm. Good results aro obtained by words delivered in. a quiet tone of voice, and full of feeling of comradeship, by a frequont repetition of these attempts at the same point, by promising not to shoot, offering tobacco, etc. Tobacco may be obtained from tho company commander. 9. Each day at 20 o'clock (S p.m.) the company commanders are obliged to report direct' to the head of the Bureau of Information about the day's events relating to the propaganda. The reports must-contain the following information: (a) When and whore newspapers were thrown into trenches or transmitted; (b) whether the newspapers were accepted by the enemy; (c) whether attempts were made to enter into communication with the enemy; who came from the enemy's.side (soldiers, sergeants, officers), with what regiment (judging by objective signs, not by inquiries), negotiations were; begun); (d) other observation regarding the behaviour of the enemy. At the same time the interpreters attached to the communication posts must send to the head of the Bureau of Information the contents (word for word) of the conversations which took place during the previous 24 hours. The placc and hour of meetings fixed for the next day yiust be immediately communicated to the head of the Bureau of Information over tho telephone.

10. The enemy sections in which the propaganda is conducted must be shielded from our artillery lire. Vi e must shoot only if an attack is launched by the enemy. The company commanders will point out the places to be left unharmed to tho corresponding batteries. The artillery commander will be warned by the division. 11. Tho enemy is "crafty and faithless. It must, therefore, be borne in mind that he will 110 doubt try to set traps for our propaganda detachments for tlio purposo of capturing or killing them. We must act with the utmost care. Soldiers carrying newspapers and letters must be informed about the conventional (destined to deceive the enemy) disposition of our troops (la, No. 2(31). For the protection of these soldiers special protective detachments must always be organised in our trenches, tho utmost care being taken that they should not be noticed by the enemy. These deachments must only lire at the order of the captains v.lio command tho communication posts. 12. On tho 12th of the month the G2nd Army Brigade must submit the names of the company commanders recommended for the position of head of communication post. J.V.D.8.D.K., The Chief f the Division (on leave of absence), per KREINBERG (Signature). General-Major and Chief of the 02nd Brigade, Read by RTJNK (Sig.), ' Chief of tho Company.