Through the State Department at Washington we are favoured with
a characteristic example of German propaganda. Spain has received a circular cataloguing German loot in France and Belgium, including even " 417 high-grade watches," to say nothing of 16,123 articles of women's apparel and 523,000 bottles of champagne. The ruined cathedrals and churches are listed, with estrange mixture of boasting and apology for "good-hearted German soldiers." exasperated by the " treachery " of priests. Money " punishments " inflicted are set down in lordly figures. It is stated that Great Britain is practically pledged to exchange the German colonies for the freedom of Belgium. The " extreme rigour " shown to British prisoners is not only admitted, but justified as a source of " a much superior moral effect "—contrasted with the results of Groat Britain's " notable kindness " to captives. In plain words, Germany says to Spain : " If you side with the Allies, you know now what to expect." Even German stupidity has never conceived a more childishly ingenuous document.
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