New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918 — John Shaqi
New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918Various
History
New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918
Various
World War, 1914-1918
Second--The object of this propaganda is to disorganize the enemy
army and to obtain information regarding it. The propaganda must
be carried out in the following manner: (a) By throwing into the
enemy's trenches newspapers and proclamations destined for the
more intelligent elements; (b) by persuading the troops by oral
propaganda. For that it will be necessary to utilize officers,
under-officers, and soldiers who appear to be most adapted. The
posts for making contacts with the enemy must be placed under the
direction of the company commander, who must be in the first-line
positions. These officers must ascertain the points where it
will be the easiest to throw into the enemy trenches newspapers,
proclamations, &c. At these points you must seek to gain contact
with the enemy by means of our interpreters, and if the enemy
consents then fix an hour for future conversations. You must then
advise immediately by telephone the chief of the Information
Bureau of the division of every contact with the enemy.
Only the chief of the Information Bureau will have the right to
direct the conversations according to the instructions he has
received. It is rigorously prohibited for any of our soldiers
to enter into relation with the enemy except those who have
received the mission to do so, for fear that the enemy may seek
to profit by their ingenuousness. All letters and printed matter
which the enemy may have on his person must be taken from him,
and transmitted to the chief of the Information Bureau. Company
commanders, above all, must seek to establish the points where
the enemy's soldiers have received newspapers, the points where
the newspapers were taken openly, and without precaution. There
are posts of observation for the artillery, as it may happen that
French officers or foreign army instructors are in these posts.
In these enterprises for obtaining contact with the enemy, success
depends on the ability with which you operate. Good results can be
obtained by calling in a friendly tone and indicating sentiments
of comradeship or by reiterated promises not to fire and offers
of tobacco. The tobacco for this purpose will be furnished by the
company commanders.
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