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136 HISTORIO DOCUMENTS OF WORLD WAR I

III

Russian Proclamation to the German Soldiers

The ProvisionaI Government has fallcn. The power is now in the hands of the Russian jieople, and the new govemnient considers the immcdiate conclusion of peacc as its forcmost duty. . . .

We charge you soldiers to stand by us in the fight for pcace and socialism, for socialism alonc can givc the proletariat a lasting peacc. . . .

Brothers, if you support us, tlić cause of freedom is assured success. ...

Our soldiers have laid down tlieir arms. It is now for you to follow this standard of peace.

May peace triumph! May the Socialistic and International Revolution live!

For the Council of People’s Commissars.

(Signed) LENIN, TROTSKY

December 5, 1917

IV

American Lcaflct from the Friends oj German Dcmocracy

BROTHERS!

The world is in great nccd. You and you alonc can cud this need rapidly. We are American citizens of German descent We know you and trust you. We beg you to trust us.

The great German nation is the barbarian and the breaker of trust in the eyes of the world. You can recover your good reputation only if you overthrow this govern-nient, which has madę German intclligcncc and German industry a danger to the world. Takc the determination of your destiny into your own hands. . . .

If you will do this the world war will end. In the name of America we give you our word, that the new Germany will be taken up as an honorable meniber of the society of nations. Your intelligence and industry will oncc again be a blessing to humanity, instead of a curse. . . .

Ariśc for a strugglc for a free Germany!

In the name of Amcricans of German dcscent.

UNION OF FRIENDS OF

GERMAN DEMOCRACY

New York, Marcli, 1918

V

German Propaganda Lcaflct Dropped over the American Lines La te in the War

NEVER SAY DIE I

Don’t die until you have to!

What business havc you to die for France, for Alsace-Lorraine, or for England in France?

Isn’t it better anyhow to live than to die, no matter for how “glorious” a cause? Isn’t it better to live and eonie back to the old folks at home, than to rot in the shell holes and trenches of France?

If you surrender to us, we will treat you fair enough.

Why run any morę chances than you have to? You might as well be a frcc boarder in Germany till the war is ovcr.

YOU DON'T WANT TO DIE TILL YOU HAYE TO ■

— 54 —

THE MANUFACTURE OF NEWS IN WAR-TIME*

The people of all bclligercnt countries eagerly read stories of alrocities allcged to karoc bccn commitled by the enemy. Circulated by propaganda cxperts_} these tales gath-cred additional “facls” as they jlcw around the zoorld. In

* Rcpriutcd by pcniussion of E. P. Duiton and Gompany.