GERMAN NERVOUSNESS.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 June 1918, Page 6

GERMAN NERVOUSNESS.

It is now evident that, in spite of the careful preparations, the military propaganda in Germany during the Western offensive has been by' no moans satisfactory. The Wolff Bureau had to "interview" the head of the Medical Service in the field. Herr von Sehjerning, who gave most emphatic assurances about the large percentage of slight wounds and the general health of the army. The following passage from a leading article in the Cologne Gazette tells its own tale: — "In order to interfere with the moral impression of the German victories, the Entente is busily trying by means of its network of agents and satellites to spread all sorts of lies in neutral countries and has even found ways of ; getting these lies into Germany. Some time ago we had to point out that j Berlin rumours which were sent into i the province spoke of the capture of j

t Amiens, although the impossibilty oi this was obvious to every calm observer. Speculators on the Bourse ed upon the rumour, regardless of the fact that these lies were intended to rouse expectations which would be.followed by disappointments. The intention was simply to stir up discontent. But this attempt was harmless in comparison with other inventions. For example, old women of both sexes Tan about with a story that the English had opened sluices and had drowned thousands of Germans like rats. The 1 figures rose and rose until they reached 100,000 men. Nobobdy could say where this catastrophe had taken place but stupid chattering and criminal frivolity carried the nonsense from mouth to mouth. Another terrible tale was that a whole German corps had been captured. Then people seized upon the idea that 70 per cent, of the troops were slightly wounded, when it was stated that 70 per cent, of the wounded were slightly wounded. Adding in the severely wounded, people talked about complete destruction. Yef • our casualties, as has been officially insisted, were confined altogether to moderate limits.''