The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1909-05-07
Won eENsToRFF IN
THAT DEAR MILWAUKEE,.

Milwaukee, Wis, May Count Jo-
ann Heinrich Won Bernstorf, Ger
man Ambassador, was entertained at
breakfast this morning by the "Deut-
scher Klub," German Club) of this
city n spoke with much feeling ov-
err the warm welcome that had been
given him in the city Of the brewers.
His address was delivered in German
and the following is in substance what
he said:
"I had occasion last evening to
state that 1t had been an ardent de
sire of mine to visit the most German
city of America as soon as possible.
It gives me great pleasure to be able
to repeat to you in my mother tongue
how grateful I am for the splendid re-
ception that was given me in this city.
I recall a pretty story, he truth OF
which however, I would not like to
guarantee. There may be some fic-
ton in 1t, but even so, 1t still re-
mains significant. According to this
story His Majesty the Emperor once
asked an American general who had
been invited to attend the German
manoeveurs, whether he had ever be-
fore been in Germany. The American
general Is said to have replied:
"I have never before been over here
but I have been in Milwaukee," Now
I am also able to say that I have
been in Milwaukee and have met here
many descendants OF the German
stock who still are attached by bonds
of love to their fatherland yer tho
they have found a new home here and
now belong to a new political COM
monwealth. Six months g on my
way to the United States 1 met sever
al gentlemen from Milwaukee on the
steamer. We discussed the status OF
the Germans as a part Of the Ameri-
can people, or rather 1 permitted my
self to be informed OF this subject,
because / never render a judgment on
any question before l can study it my
self. A few days later 1 read an ar
ticle of greeting in a Milwaukee pa
per which, although exceedingly
friendly in tone stated that 1 had cri-
ticised the m in America and
had said I would try to remedy ex-
listing evils. Now 1t often occurs that
one person utters a criticism and II
the person listening does not contra,
dict the speaker assumes he has
agreed with what he said. This may
have been the case regarding my con
versation with those gentlemen. Since
then I have repeatedly had occasion
to publicly address Germans in Am
erica and there can be no longer any
doubt as to my attitude In this mat
ter. We all know that there are nc
better class OF American citizens than
those of German descent. This fact
has been publicly recognized by for
mer and the present President of the
United States. These high authori-
ties however have always added that
the love to the old fatherland Is well
compatible with good and loyal Am.
erfcan citizenship. This is exactly the
point Of view assumed by the Ger
mans in the fatherland. We believe
that unique position OF h Americans
of German descent benefits both
tries by making their relations more
intimate. AS to all other hopes OF
ca, we hope for the fulfllment of q
purely cultural mission. This could
not be fulfilled If the Germans in any
way should isolate themselves from
their fellow citizens. We hope that
you will uphold the wonderful old
German culture to help make 1t per,
meate American life like the leaven
In measures of meal, in the parable.
Let me call your attention to the
scene in Faust in which the mar.
rage of Faust to Helena symbolizes
the fusion Of the Greek and the Ger
man spirits. Greek culture Is in fact
so merged with German culture that
both today are inseparable. A mis-
sion similar to that performed by the
Greek culture among us in Germany
Hes before the German element In
America. The German spirit may
become q strong factor in the result
ing American culture. That is a most
important task which is worth the
sweat OF the noble, and in the perfor-
q Of which you o all are ap-
pointed.