A DRAMATIC SCENE

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 10 August 1917, Page 1

A DRAMATIC SCENE

GERMAN- PROPAGANDAS A PRISON ■ CAMP. In an article in 'The Times'-Professor Delmer gives interest-ins details of -the German propaganda to enlist foreigners. This , was not practised at the beginning,' of the war, but was widely adopted when the war was not finished at Christmas, 1914-, as had been expected. Literature and lecturers were sent to the British, French, and Russian camps, and every devious method adopted to seduce prisoners into naturalisation and field grey.- .There was little success. Particular attention was devoted to the Irish prisoners," whom""it was believed •were impressionable. Sir Roger Casement was the principal 'tool, but the Germans

even asked a priest, .Father Grotty to speak to waverers at Liniburg. " Faith,' I will'" replied the priest. There, was a dramatic scene—the Irish soldiers in the rough camp chapeb the vestmeuted priest at_the altar and a uniformed German officer-standing by like Mephisto waiting for the priest to urge the men to betray their honor. father Crotty,. in firm terms, said: "Men of Galway, Clare, and Connaught, the German Emperor wants you to fight on his side Pve been asked to urge you .to do this, hut I've not been sent to talk the politics of. or be a procurer to, any king or kaiser, hut toted you, in the name of God and Eoly Church, what is good and .right. As a priest of God I tell you to keep the oath you have taken to bo loyal to your King." The German officer looked on helpless" hot daring to interupt a priest in his holy office. But the Irish prisoners -were subsequently, subjected to every indignity and privation