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The Florence Daily Times VOL. XXV THB LATEST ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES FLORENCE, S. C. FRIDAY AFTERNOON, FEB. 28, 1919 NO. 110 371ST REGfflENT SUFFERED : SEVERELY IN CASUALTIES * r | South Carolina Colored Troops in Front Line Practically All the Time. 375 Men Killed and 1,670 Wounded and Missing in Action. Florence Man Comman der of One of the Companies 0FFK8IS ELECTED FOR COIM TERR MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF PEE DEE FAIR ASSOCIATION HELD YESTERDAY At a neetinp REFUTE PATES WAY FOR COOD ROADS GOES ON RECORD AS FAVORING 0 STATE SYSTEM OF PERMA NINT HIGHWAYS of tlw stockholder ^ pm ffiw tT At1aA of the Pee Deo Fair Association yes- -aJllI vJOcS lO nOUBC Co’umtTa, Feb. 28—The 371st In-on. It was as severe a test as any fantry, which arrived tn Camp Jacksold'ers' ever had, but our men never con albout two weeks ago from over seas, has been demobilized. The en Hated men were mustered out within a few days after arrival, and the of fleers arer being given their discharg es a a fast as they c&nget their records and accindenta cloBey up. Most of them have already been discharged and have proceeded to thtfr homes and the last will be gone within a week. The Regiment Was composed of col ored draft men, practically all of them, being South Carolinians, and the officers were white. Unite a number of the officers were South Carollnans The South Carolina officers who came home with the regiment were Maj. Thomas H. MofllT., Columbia; Capt. W. R. Richey, Laurens; Capt. R. Lee Brunson, Florence. Capt F. K. Leses- ae. Charleston^ Capt. Hunter S. Har filtered once, although cur casulal- tls were very heavy thatday. No sol diers could have behaved any better under more adverse circumstances.’’ “What kind of citizens will these men make, now that they are mus tered out of the army?’’ was the new question^ “Will their army expe*. ence unfit them for their old jobs and their old status?” “I think not,’* wag Lieut Smith’s reply. “I believe they will be better as citizens than before. They nave- gone itlirough battle, they have been severely tri ! ed, and they have learned the vain of discipline and obedience to constituted authority. They hnve learned that in »the army all order* given them were for their own good, their own protection, and the same thin* will !ho’d in civil life. "Thi colored men were given diff ris. Union; Capt- George W. Potts, tre* "lent by the French people - - _ ’ virVxov It n si It /-»t\»% r\ si sill C r Wt Strl Fort Mills; Lieut Eugene B. Smitn, Greenville; Liegt James G. Todd, Lau rens; Lieut. C. G. Sweetenberger, Ab beville. Lieut. J. Me. Rilery, Allen dale: Lieut W. M. Thompson, Jr., Rock Hill; Lieut J. T. Roddy, Jr., Rock Hill; Lieut. Wilbur E. Mattison, Anderson; Lieut. John Thompson, Union. The regiment wss organized and given its preliminary training in Camp Jackson, and landed In France April 27 of last year. After' a few weeks of intensive training it was .brigaded with tho 157th French divi sion and was constant I y in action with that division until the armistice was signed. It took part In many severe engagements; in fact it waa on the front line practically all the time, and suffered severely In casual ties. Forty-eight of the 105 officers were Wounded, seven were killed outright and three died of wounds. Three of the officers who were killed were from South Carolina. They were Lieut. Robert Gilmer, of Anderson. Lieut. Thomas Lake, of Laurens; and Lreut. Sam D. Turiletaub of Charles ton. The regiment fr&d 375 men killed and 1,670 wounded and mising in ac tion. The regiment had about 2,400 men when it left Camp Jackson last April and brought back about 1,200. There was a steady stream of replace ments after the regiment began its active service. Only about 700 of tho original 2,400 men come back with the regiment, those not killed having been sent to hospitals or to non-com bat organisations because of having become incapacitR.ed for fighting. The regiment saw service on tnree fronts, Verdun, Champagne and in Al sace-Lorraine. It was tn all respects a French fighting unit, being brigao- ed with French troops all the ‘time. The officers talk modestly of thetr .own exploits, but give very high praise to their/ men, and say that it was due to thecourage and enduranc - of the enlisted men that the rgiment was given the high distinction of be ing awarded tho French Croix de Guerre. Lieut. Smith, who will be at his old home in Greenville in a few days, Was asked about the soldierly quali ties of the colored men. “The men made good soldiers,” was his prompt reply. “They were obedi ent to all commands, and were In every way amenable to discipline. They were drafted men of all sorts, gathered from the farms and cities and towns, from every occupation. To be frank we were a little dubious about them. We did not know whe ther they would stand under fire or not. But they did. They would go right Into the 'thickest sort of fight, and they were splendid fighters. “They were all that could be ask ed so long as they had officers. White soldiers, when they lose ttelr officers, will flghi on, a non-commissioned offi cer or even a private taking charge but the colored men could not be d* pended on to do this. When a pla toon officer would be killed or wound ed the men would take to cover and turn and go back, but tf another offi cer Would take charge they would follow him without troubls in fact gladly. We had this happen time and again. The men were all right so long as they had an officer to lead them or direct them.” “Would the colored men stand un der a losing fight?” Lieut Smith was asked. “Would they stand the gaff?” “Yes,” was his reply. "We never . had that experience but once, for we were usually winning. Bu>; at the Argonne Forest we advanced seven kilometers one day, getting alhead of the line. The next day we were sub- cold to a terrific couij'er attack. The enemy used artillery and gas and aeroplanes, end rushed us with in fantry and machine guns. We held our ground for seven hours, fighting part of the dime with cur gas masks from what they had been accustomed fo receive from white peonle at home The French people could not grasp the idea of socDal discrimination on aeoun'; of co’or. They said the cot ored men were soldiers, wearing the American uniform, and fighting In the common cause, and thev could no*, see why they Should he discriminate 1 against socially. They received the men i'h their churches and homes and plaices of entertainment. Tine men ac cepted this, but it did not seem to make a very deep imnresslon. They seemed to understand that customs over there were different from ours, and let it go alt that. I have -talked with many of them since, and thev have no false notions as to wbc-t to expect here. They will go about their business as before, and will he as far from attempts at unduo famili arity wi l h white people as before the war. They rcrtk'ze that anything ap proaching social eciuallty would he more harmful to tliem than to any body else, and they will not a*temot it. I don’t think anybody need be un easy or apprehensive. I think these colored men, having made good p-s soldiers, will now be more than ever anxious to make good as civilians, and that they wilt do so.” terday officers were elected as follows President, A H. Gasque; vice pres! dnet. Dr T. C. Johnson; treasurer, R K Rutledge; directors, F. H. Young, E E McGill. D J S-mmons. The hold over directors are Dr. W. S. Lynch, A AfcTaggart, Thad W. Jones', R. B. Currin, J. B. McBride. To take the place of Mr. J. O. Finklea, deceased 1. B. Cannon was elected a director. The report of the Secretary show ed ttwV tnspite of /influenza conditions last fall, the fair paid all expenses and all Interest and insurance due, and decreased its indebtedness by a comfortable sum. The dpten of the 1!UD Fair were fixed “*r* * # ivember 4. 5. 5, 7 and 8. It was decided to make these dates the permanent dates for future fairs. A committee was appointed to se cure a secretary for the veeir, Mr. E. D Sallenger having submiti.ed his resig nation. • The meeting yesterday v--aef,well attended bv the slock holders and great interest was evinced bv them. It is ptanred to make the fair for 1919 much larger in scon and in Unteres* than anv previous fairs. It is nrac- tically assured tho*. there will be races, a committee being appointed to look into the possbllrty of hri'ldlng race track in time for the next show. It Is planned by selling stock remaining in the treasury' to pay uv all of theindebtedness of the associa tlon. ROUP ROADS BU [RALLY TO SUPPORT OF THE DOW BEFORE HOOSeI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FRANCE BUILDS WORK SHOP FOR WOMEN PLAN TO CARE FOR FAMILIES WHOSE BREAD WINNERS WERE KILED IN WAR For Consideration Measure Provide* for One Mill Levy on all Property and a Tax on Autamebltaa i Columbia, Feb. 28.—The State Sen ate last night went on record as fav oring a state ayftem of permanent highways when it peaeed a bill ptovid ing for a levy of one mill on all pro f>erty and an automobile tax to pro vide a fund for the construction of such a system. “It Is just the begin ning,” declared one senator after the passage of the bill. “It is merely a nibble but it Is paving the way for bigger things next session. We are 'right now on permanent roads where we were four years on compulsory eu ucation. Good roads will come faster however than did compulsory educa tion.” The bill now goes to the House for its acceptance or rejection and the re sponslbility for the passage or fail ure of the bill will rest with that body. The Senate has spoken and spoken decisively. Only eight votes were cast against the measure in the Senate. There were cast by Senators Baskin of Lee, Beathea of Dillon; Black of Bamberg, Harrelson of Marion; Marion of Cues ter; McColl of Marlboro; Shelor of Oconee and Williams of Aiken. Thir ty votes wert cast in favor of the hill. • Some splendid speeches were made in the debate of more than seven BIG FIGHT ON MEASURE IS EX-1 PELTED* WHEN IT COMES UP THIS AFTERNOON Senate Discusses Teachers Bureau! Two Hundred Business and Professional Men Present at Great Me eting Last Night. Splendid Talks Mad e for the Good of the City • Senator Clifton Speak* In Favor i Taking it Out of Swearingen’s Control. Columbia, Feb. 28—The Senate to- day sent to the House the bill prov ing for a one mill levy and an auto tax for the construction of permatt ent highways. A big fight Is expected in the Druse. The bill will come up this afternoon. The Senate sp^n* moat of the mom ing discussing a bill to -'ake teachers burtiau from the contro.' of Superin tendent- Swearingen and place it with the Board of Education. Senator CTf |dn of Sumter spoke in favor of the bill. Debate was adjourned until to- hlght. The House meets again at four this' afternoon. SATISFIED AMERICA WILL BACK WILSON TO FIT THE SOLDIER IN COMMUNITY LIFE MEETING OF Y. M. C. A. FORCES AT COURT HOUSE TODAY. fr r — At a meeting at the Court House to day, Mr. Koons of the Y. M. C. A., out lined the work which the war work council of America, has under taken in helping to fit the returned soldier into commun- hours that preceded the vote on the > jjy jjf tft The war work council THE PRINCES ISLAND CONFERENCE ASSURED Paris, Feb. 28.—There is no Ipnger any question of going on with thq Prlnkipo Conference, Andre Tardieu, French delegate to the Peace Confer ence informed foreign newspaper men today. He said the Bolshevik! had failed to comply with the conli tions laid down by thoEntente as tq suspension of hostilities, and the A1 lies are conditioning new methods of restoring order In Russia and examin ing available means to carry out this purpose. Paris, Feb. 28—Actual work In the establishment of three general work shops for the employment of women and girls whose bread winners were killed during the world war, has been begun by a Committee of religionn. — leaders of the MethodM Episcopal [Barnwell county. Church in America. The committee which bis the sanction of President Poincare and Marshall Joffre, will de vote $2,5i»C,001 to reconstruction and reclamae-on work during this year. Among other projects for the relief of the devastated region already :i arted is the purchase of a site for French Orphans at Grenoble, which includes a 250 acre farm to be used in demonstration work among French peasants lo teach them the value of modern methods in farming. The committee also gave to the French Protestant Commission 125,000 to be expended in rehab litation work with out regard to religious denomination. “France needs' so many, many things that whatever you do will be [of value, particularly In the devastat ed regions,” replied Marshall Joffre, to a question by the religious leaders bill. The debate on It was pronounc ed by many to have been the finest of the present session. Many of the senators who spoke on the bill stated frankly that they objected to certain provisions of it but that they were broad enough to support the bill even if these objections were not removed because thev realized that Itwas a great thing for the state. has pujl. into every stale in the South a group of district /V-errors who have been secretaries < : n the -army and navy Y. rectors sentatives who attended Blue Ridge school wll work cut a 'borough couty program, whch turn will ntteropt to work out a thorough community pro gram far every community la the tA-UUVhRNOR MANNNG SPENDS SHORT WHLE IN ^FLORENCE ON WAY HOME FROM WASHINGTON. Ex,-Goveraor Richard J. Manning, of Sumter, wiaa a Florence visitor this morning, having stopped over here between trains. Mr. Manning was en route home from Washington and was optimistic as to the outcome of the backing President Wilson would receive In the plans for a proposed [League of Nations, and stated that he bad a conference with the President yesterday on this subject. The Pres# dent was satisfied that America would hack up dhe proposed plan and the entire covenant accepted. Mr. Manning had been north to com plete his arrangements Cor sailing week as a member of the commission headed by Ex-President Tall. Mr. Manning stated to The Times man this morning that he would ap preciate it much if the press would mention the fact that Mrs. Mann'ng, was to make the trip across with him by special permission of Secretary Lansing, and accompanying him on his Peace mission, and not for other purposes, as erroneously announce^ some days ago in the press. The . M. C. A. s. Tties district d!- j permits had l-ee-n issued to in company wVh county renre Mrs Roosevelt and to Mrs. Manning, Senator Johnson of BMJJoll cojon count M Koon „ f y th ., director ty declared that- under the MU Ms f ’ nuns presided ,t money as It paid out but he declared that he was more than a senator from He was Senator ! for the whole state of South Carolina. He believed the state system meant the dawning of a new day In South Carolina and he declared that he wns big enough to lay aside personal in terests and vote for it for the sake of his state. Senator Watkins of Anderson took a similar view. He declared the meas ure a tremendously important one and said that he yas going to over look personal interests and vote for it because he knew it meant so much for the state Senator after senator arose and took the same position, that the war would have been fought in vain if the people of this country have not reached the point where they are willing to make some saerr flees for the common good. “The poor fellow who died on the battle for this* district. Mr. A. H. Gasque ftae. meeting * l oday. A committee of five wh.i snw'inted to arange for a county convenHon of re construction work lo be held in Flos once on some dav after »he return of the /thirtieth division. Messsrs A. H, Gasque, J Davis Carter, J. Ward Me Tendon, J S McKonzte and the Rev H E Beatty co r >' , Mtut» '•‘his commit tee. An interesting prgram will lie arranged. [has brought about no little comment and It is whth this object in view that the Ex-Governor wishes it known that Mrs. Manning’s visit is not for the special purpoaet of visiting the grave of their son, Major Manning Who was killed in action. Mr. Manning left, the city on the 10:10 o’clock train for h-s l/cme to be present at the Farmers’ Cotton meet ing at Sumter today. BRANDS STATEMENT AS A FALSEHOOD Bridgets Company To Have New Home PRESIDENT WILSON DID NOT MAKE REFERENCES TO IRE- LAND AS REPORTED Fully two hundred men, represent Ing every line of industry in Florence as well as - profession, assembled at Pine Wood Club last night for the an dual meeting of the Florence Cham her of Commerce. ~It was the largest gathering of the business luterests of Florene that has ever been held here and in the opin ton of all who were present the most enthusiastic. The meeting was held for the purpose of reorganizing the Chamber of Commerce and enlarging Its membership. The campaign will begin this afternoon, when solicitors will go out for subscriptions. A large number of blanks were signed before the meeting adjourned last night, making the work of the canvas «ers easier for today. Before Chairman Smith called tne meeting to order a delightful lunch was served in the dining room of the club building and cigars and cigaret tes were passed around. After pray $r had been offered by Rev. F. m. Shuler, presiding elder of the Method 1st Church, the meeting adopted a re solution endorsing President Wilson Wnd his plan for a League of Nations. This resolution will be forwarded to Atlanta today where the Peace Con gress is in session and copies of it will be sent to the South Carolina sen ators and congressmen in Washing ton. Mr. Kirkpatrick being unable to attend the meetng Chaii /nan Smith called upon local speakers who covered a number of subjects which are of prime importance to the city of Florence. The keynote of the meeting last night was for a greater Florence. It was realized that since the United States entered the war there has been little opportunity for city build ing, all of our efforts having been di reeled to the larger work of w-nning the war. Those who made address pa are as follows: Memorial to the boys of Florence county who gave their lives in the world war, C. H. Thomas, Henry E. Davis, spoke also on the subject of a memorial. Better marking and packing for transportation companies, Jno. R. Wofford. Reduction of cotton acreage, J. F. Stackley and J. S. McKenzie. Chamber of Commerce, Dr. F. H. McLeod. General good of the community with particular reference to the need of a library, Dr. H. T. Graham. Building and loan association, Mr. W. R. Barringer. Cost of cotton per pound ard the Washington, Feb, 28—Secretary B „ uoe ttU1| The J. D. Bridgers Company, who All agreed 1 operate a lar <? e machine shop at the (Tumulty -today corner of North Irby and West Front denying lorn . , ST.reets have recently purchased the President that the President tola buildings and property of the old ^embers of the congreeional foreign 'Betts Lumber Company, better-affairs committees Wednesday nigR. Boy Scouts Invite Friends to Meeting The Boy Scouts hope that all of their friends will Join with them in Iheir meeting at O’Dowds theatre Sunday afternoon at four o’clock. Mr, J. E. Steere, who holds a high office in the Scout organization, will make kn address which will be of Interest lo the boys “not only” but to all of their parents and friends. The Scout troops of Darlington, Evdrgreen, Hartsville, Marion, Lake City and Sumter have been Invited to partici pate in the meeting and have accept ed. The Florence lads are now look ing to their uniforms and getting them in shape. a« do how the Methodist Church In *eld of Flanders that you and T America could best serve France, 'might live In happiness and peace “When people return to iheir former I did not ask ‘what am I going to get homes in tne devastated areas and see lout of it?’ He sacrificed his life that the fright ful destruction that has been j I might live. Am I so narrow that I accomplished there.” he said, "they I am unwilling to pay a little tax for will need not only material, but also moral assistance. A great tendency to immorality will follow the shock of Clemenceau Back At His Work Again Paris, Feb. 28.—Premier Clemen ceau resumed his official tasks today He was at the ministry of war from 10:15 o’clock until 11 o'clock this morning. SITUATION REMAINS GRAVE IN MUNICH PRESIDENT PREPARES TO RETURN TO FRANCE WILL SAIL WEDNESDAY, AFTER 1 SPEAKING TUESDAY NIGHT IN NEW YORK Washington, Feb. 28.—Prepara tions for the President’s return to France were completed today. He will sail on the George Washington Wednesday morning, after speaking Tuesday nigHt on the League of Na tions with Mr. Taft at New York. Ho will leave Washington on a special jlrain Tuesday afternoon after ad joumment of Congress. He will stop at Philadelphia an hour to see his daughter, Mrs. Sayre, and his new grandson and will arrive in New York at eight thirty p. m. After f peaking he will board the transport to spend the night. permanent roads because John Smith who doesn’t pay qnite as much une ben< This was the argument offered one senator. It is generally believed that the House will pass the bill although there will be a strong effort made to submit it to a vote, which would de lay matters one year. The Senate rejected the referendum. known as the old Sash and Blind Fac lory, and are remodelling and making an ^p to-date building of it wiith the view of making it their future plant. T|iey have already begun placing machines a-nd mac : nery In the build Ing and will soon move their entire plant to that location. The Bridgers Company, are manufaciurers of varl ous parts' of automobiles as well ea tax as I do will get the same benefit? j other machinery, and have built for by themselves a widely extended busi ness. They have had large govern ment contracts as well la-s large con tracts for automobile flactories, deal ers and others. They employ more than a half hundred men and their weekly pay roll new foots up large sums, as they work only skilled machinists and other Ichor. Good Progress On O’Dowd’s New Theatre The ODc-wd new movie theatre, in South Dargan Street, is assuming large proportions, wnd Florence will soon have a third movie picture house. This new theatre is going to be a beauty and iw llbe modern In ever detail from front door to the screen and from the basement -to tire air dome roof. It Is going to be one that Florence folk will be proud of, and one that movie attendantli, will enjoy. Paris, Feb. 28.—The situation ?n Munich is grave, according to the Ber lin Vossische Zeitung which Is quoted In a Havas dispatch from Basel. The Sparticans are not only masters of all the public buildings and transpor tatlon sendees of the city hut they also have seized the presses on whtch government bank notes are printed. The Berlin Lokal Anzelger says, aro kept busy. ++♦*♦♦♦♦+♦++*♦+ * + ♦ COMPULSORY EDUCATION * ♦ SOON TO BE REALIZED ♦ ♦ Columbia, Feb. 28—The ♦ ♦ House of Representatives today ♦ ♦ agreed to the Senate amendment + 4 of the compulsory education bill •?' 4 and it will become law as soon 4 4 as signed by the Governor. The 4 *4 act provides that all children in 4 4 the state between the ages of 4 4 8 and 14 years must attend 4 4 school for not less than four con 4 4 secutlves months each season. 4 4 4 PEACE CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA TODAY DELEGATES GATHER IN INTER EST OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS Atlanta, Feb. 28.—Delegates from throughout the south are here for the opening today of the Southern Con gress of the League to enforce peace, the last of nine such meetings held throughout the country in the inter est of the League of Nations as rec ommended by the Paris Peace Confer ence. Hon. W. H. Taft and other na ’tlonally known speakers are present TAFT AND WILSON ON SAME PLATFORM -sjcv.cw. j relation of the Chamber of Commerce issued a statement i to agricultural upbuilding In the couu formally on behalf of the t y , J. Wa rd McLenaon. ■ • - Cooperation of city officials with the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor H. K. Gilbert. General cooperation of business and farming interests, and better mar keting conditions for all crops, R. E. Whiting. How to make Florence the best town in the Pee Dee section, J. M. Lynch. All of these speakers covered their subjects thoroughly and their re marks proved a source of inspiration to every man in the audience. The meeting was thoroughly enjoy ed and will result in great good for the city of Florence. that the Irish question whs a matter between Ireland and England and that Irelrnd would have no voice in the peace conference at present. A statement to this effect, mnde bv at least one committeemen after the While House conference war charac terized as a “deliberate falsehood,” Mr. Tumulty refused to discuss what the President did say about the Irish question. UNITED INEFFORT T« SHOW NONPARTISAN CHARACTER OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS New York, Feb. 28.-*Mr. Taft lias accepted an invitation to speak here Tuesday night on the same platform with President Wilson the league to enforce peace announced today. Mr. Taft, in a telegram from Nashville, Tenn., accepted and expressed his desire to do everything to help make clear to the country the nonpartisian character of the League Nations Is /sue. ************* * * * THE MEETING TODAY * * Farmers and business men * * from every section of the county * * attended the Pledge Day meet- * Wadsworth Is To • Be Abandoned, Says Unofficial Report Columbia, Feb. 28.—Unauthentic information received in Columbia is to the effect that Camp Wards worth at Spartanburg, will be abandoned ne tween now and March 16. While this information Is not official and does not come through military enan nels, it is apparently based upon facts which have not as yet been made public at Washington. There are at Camp Wardsworth at the present time about 4.000 men. tT is understood that 2,000 of these win be discharged within the next two weeks, and that the remaining 2,000 who will he kept in service for t while yet, will be transferred to othl or camps, possibly to Camp Jackson. I The plan, so it is understood, is to remove from Camp Wardsworth a;l military equapment that can be used to advantage elsewhere by the war department. Catholics May Select Other Day Rome, Feb. 28.—Pope Benedict has authorized the Catholics to substitute some other day for Saturday as the day of Abstinence during the coiw’ng Lenten season- BUSINESS WORRY . CAUSES SUICIDE l-A. J. HICKS, FLORENCE COUNTY FARMER, KILLS SELF WITH SHOT GUN CUT RUSSIA OFF FROM EXCHANGE Washington, Fib. 28—Foreign Ex- . — — change transactions between the *' ing at the Court House today, * United States and Russia are prohib * and took the greatest interest * In the proceedingc. A full re- * port of the meeting will be pub- * lished tomorrow. 4 *444****,** Board Mr. A. J. Hicks, a farmer living near Bethel Church in the Olanta section, committed suicide Wednes day night by shooting himself thru the left breast with a shotgun. Mr. Hicks was fifty five yeai4 old. It Is stated that he had been in poor heb!*h for sometime and that this, to gether with business worries, caused him to take his life. A coroner’s In quest was held yesterday, the verdict being that death was caused from suicide. Mr. Hicks shot himself at flight. It is stated that lie went out into his back yard and from all ap pcarances pulled the trigger of the taken by I shotgun with his toe. The entire It underload tore through his left breast, pro death. He It by the Federal Reserve Similar action has been Great Britain and France stood that one purpose of this action [bahly causing Instant is to stop financing of the Bolshevik [leaves a wife and two sons, both of propaganda. [whom are grown.