Local German Propaganda Once a week—vsually on Thursdays—olicial German propagandists in Shanghai entertain 3 number of Chinese newspapermen to tea. at the Park Hotel and hand out to them inspired statements und apologia. for insertion, Will please be so Kind, in the Chinese-langu papers of this elly. Whether the cost of this free tea fight is justified by propaganda results, the Germans concerned are doubtless best able to judge, but that they have been in considerable difficulty to explain away the ruthless and brutal invasion of Holland and Belgium was shown by the type-written hand-out which was iven' to those who attended the party last Thursday, The opening stanza of the spokes man's statement was 3% follow Predictions made on one day are not valid the next day! Events In Burope are of such rapid succession that it fs hard to prediet what the next hours will bring. tf, therefore, Twas quoted as saying that there seems mo need for Germany to invade for reasons of pro-{ection the Low Countries while a few. hours Iaer German troops started already to march {nto these countries, T can only state. that celrcumstances known only to my Government have prompted such action. Quite differently from the democratic countries where decisions depend. so much on various institutions and where they, as the past has shown, come too Tate, it is the advantage and the strength of the "German Government that decisions are made in a moment's time and that minutes Inter actions in accordance with such decisions fre taken, As in the case of Norway so now regarding' Belgium and Holland it is impossible for us out here to Judge what the German Government considers necessary 10 for the defence of our country and for 9 speedy conclusion of this British-made war.
Could cynical special pleading go further? As the furl story is becoming knows of the horta which have" been indicted upon the innocent Bien and" Belgian "peoples Ie can surely be thing Tes than nauseating to Chinese Journal Tats to have given to thems statement in which nthers "have the efrontty. fo. speak tection o¢ the Low Cousicls. One Teave" the: statements of the Netherlands Belgian rilers nnd. Governments to. the Sudg-Imont of history. Sucament which wit not thera from ay which the wang Ree delivered, Publier of the American continent have sire The German Lie Factory The local Germans eld anaiber, seeeption {ot Ghingee newapapermen.on Tnursday A the Hotel, when Herr. Cord of the Garman Eta made the statement ven bot then Jnteroreted into Chinese and the following is a transcription of the Chinese version. It is necetary that thy explanation should be made isn the doe Iansation there may be, some said and what follows:—ween what Mert "Carde Before "the retent Belgium, the "Alte trap wet ott te ft hea hay of Ean ier titan he rope era 8 a Pranceeoreing it em fends of Moat eis Cat doran were alken previously Wien entering enemy territory German troops always advise the women and children. Inthe tareas to fematn, as they would not be molested.
Herr Cordt, being attached to the German Em~ assy, obviously comes within the terms of the Chesterfeldian description of a diplomat as a gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of is country. The hordes of refugees streaming across France consist of people who have vivid Feeollections of the conduct of the German forees during the last war, and indicate a determination not to run the risk of similar treat~ ment during this struggle. These unfortunates fare being machine-gunned and bombed by Ger man aeroplanes In accordance with the lowest Sdeats of eutonie chivalry. It ly quite possible that, German troops do. advise women and children to remain in the areas they occupy. fand, if they do, the conclusion Is obvious,~it Isai the eusiox' to kill them!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.