That adds to its importance, for it is attention to detail which
characterises modern Germany. It is the subtle things which are
difficult to detect. The Government neglects nothing which will
aid in the ownership of public opinion at home and the influencing
of neutrals throughout the world.




CHAPTER VII

THE IDEA FACTORY

A group of diplomats and newspaper correspondents were gathered at
lunch in a German city early in the war, when one of the latter, an
American, asked how a certain proposition which was being discussed
would suit public opinion. "Will public opinion favour such a
move?" he questioned.

"Public opinion! Public opinion!" a member of the German Foreign
Office repeated in a tone which showed that he was honestly
perplexed. "Why, we create it!"

He spoke the truth. They certainly do.

The State-controlled professor, parson and moving-picture producer
appeal to limited audiences in halls and churches, but the
newspaper is ubiquitous, particularly in a country where illiteracy
is practically unknown, and where regulations bidding and