New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-04
The Motives Of His Criticism and Why He Feels a
Stranger in America.


To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: [ hope you will find room IN your columns
for these lines in answer to your editorial oil sep
TENDER 20, inscribed, Glow German Culture TX
Mains the Errancy of Untutored American Opn-
ion" Already the title is Misrepresentation, as IS
the whole editorial and liable to place me IN false
position with people whose opinion value, who may
read your editorial but not the article you refer TO-
You have quoted me very extensively, but not eX-
tensively enough for your readers TO form their
own judgment.
protest most emphatically against the lnsinuation
that | have written this article as "A German and
that | have written anything in a spirit OF con
descension In this whole controversy about the
war | have written as American citizen VINO Is
thoroughly familiar with German conditions, history
and institutions, and therefore has the rght ana
duty to protest against the injustice done to that
country Ny sympathies the side OF Ger
many because ! have not forgotten what | owe to
the country of my birth; and warn you against
any of your fellow citizens who in this hour OF
trial will try curry your favor by talking against
the land of his father and mother lie will be as
ready to deny his American citizenship when this
seems to be of sufficient advantage to him.
In reviewing my History Of German Civilization
The Tribune said: The author Is strictly i'm
partial notwithstanding his profound interest IN his
subject" / defy you TO point out anything have
said or written recently that is not IN accordance
with tho contents OF my book. II | was Impartial
then, am now; have not changed my opinion
The very article you refer to in your editorial has
been dictated by my loyal spirit toward my American
citizenship We there is fundamental differ
encc in the conception OF things in general, IN the
first principles of morality between us and what
seems TO be a majority of our fellow citizens. This
contrast is great that arc in fear that there
never can be any genuine fellowship of the millions
Of the COMMUNICATIONS and that part of the popu-
lation that voices its VIC through the Anglo
American press. We feel nat if this contrast
not be reconciled there IS serious danger for
national life. | myself after faithful service to
this country during the time Of my adult life, see
that | a stranger, that people Of my views arc
utterly out of place here that enjoy the respect
Of my fellow citizens little that they do not
hesitate for a moment to hurt my sentiments and
treat my opinions with contempt. If no change IN
this situation is possible, there is nothing left for
but either TO Leave this country or, II circum-
stances do not allow that, to remain with the con-
slant consciousness that out of place here.
Seeing this, ! set out to make dISpasslonate
investigation of the causes, TO try to find them IN
order TO remove them, If possible and in this way
prepare sn improvement of conditions, basis for
better understanding for all of Us who destined
to work out the fate OF this one and indiyisibc
nation But this YOU will not allow. You take
no notice Of this purpose. You suppress what might
explain H. In order u find opportunity to sheer
and slur az German CondeScenSon, you close your
eyes to the honest and loyal purposes underlying
investigation. In order TO show me up as super
cilious and overbearing critic you do not say that
the views brought forth only tentative. You do
not translate of the passages where | emphasize
this. where 10 speak, | put question mark
behind every Of my statements. | say literally.
81 will not display myself one who knows every
thing and preacher inspired by particular wis
dom, but only want to arouse interest in the dis
cussion and solution OF the problem, which perhaps
may be best promoted by challenging oppos tlOn.
Nor will ! indulge in any criticism in the sense that
/ want to reproach anybody Here is something
wrong that lives and does harm. What its
causes? Are we able and willing to remove them
in order that the wrong under which suffer may
disappear"
Your editorial is an illustration in point Il il
utterly incomprehensible to how, after these
words Of minc any statement that follows can be
used 10 make personal lnsinuatlons as you do in
your editorial. Besides, you know well | do
that by pointing out the danger OF superfciality |
simply repeat what has been expressed in numerous
magazine articles and books by many Americans
whose ancestors for all know, may have come over
on the Mayfower. Why should 1t be thrown up to
a proof of German condescensiOn"? II is
utterly unfair the more : because YOU suppress
the paragraph which gives the reasons for my warn
ing. When | speak of the prevailing English in
huence | do because have learned that much
that seems Objectionable in this country Is not
American, but English. and while we citizens are
only too willing 10 AmericaniZe ourselves refuse
be Anghed The salvation for this nation
seems 70 lie in the earnest and enthusiastic endeayor
by all Of US to build up distinctive national Amer-
culture But this be accomplished only
after merciless selfexsminaton. No can COM
plaeently put himself up as model.
DE- ERNST RICHARD.
New York, Oct ,. 1914.