PROPAGANDA IN SPAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16847, 11 May 1918, Page 7

PROPAGANDA IN SPAIN.

VEILED GERMAN THREATS. "FRIGHTFULNESS" CITED. A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON, May 9. j The State Department lias issued a copy of the document circulated in Spain by a German propagandist, which the State Department says is undoubtedly of German origin. The document says:— "Germans have taken incalculable booty in France and Belgium as the result of tlie stupid stubbornness of the Belgian people in continuing the struggle after defeat. Total fines of £50,000,000 "have been imposed on wealthy individuals and cities, this figure including £6000, fines imposed on Alsatian children who insisted on speaking French. More than 50,0 CX) British prisoners had been taken, as against 124,806 Germans by the British, but it must be remembered that the British treated prisoners with notable kindness, while Germany treated British prisoners with extreme rigour, so that the Germans have secured a superior moral effect. Several thousand British prisoners had died because of disease, scanty food, and other accidents. If any neutrals contemplated siding with the allies they had best take warning." The document, which was circulated before the of March 21, says that Germany .il . not lose her African colonies, as xSritish Ministers have declared that it was not intended to increase the overseas holdings of the British Empire.