The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1914-08-13
STARS AND STRIPES OVER. ALL
Prof. Leo Stern of Milwaukee Presi-
dent of National German Alliance
in Wisconsin Declares That Germany
Is Not Responsible For the War.

Wisconsin Germans to the number OF
five thousand gathered at Anderson
park on Sunday afternoon to celebrate
the first annual "German day" under
the auspices of the Kenosha chapter of
the German National Alliance and the
day proved to be one Of the biggest
days of the kind ever known in this
section Of the state. Kenosha Germans
were out in force and they had as their
guests during the day hundreds of Ger
mans from other cities. There was a
parade with more than thousand
men and women in line and there was
speech making and sports and games,
but the real feature of the day was
the discussion Of the war which en-
velopes Europe.
Germans began to arrive in Kenosha
early Sunday morning and before the
time set for the parade to move it was
estimated that thousand visitors had
come to the city. The largest delega-
tions came from Milwaukee, but Ra-
cine, Waukegan, Sheboygan and other
cities were represented.
Kenosha was in gala attire for the
coming cf the Germans and handsome
ly decorated buildings greeted the
marchers as they went through the
business section of the city.
1t was patriotic holiday for the
Germans but the patriotism was large
1y the patriotism of the American citi-
zen. just one German flag was seen
during the day and that was the ban
ner of The Kenosha Stadtverband dedi-
Gated to the organization by George
Spies, chairman of the committee in
charge of the day. There were lots of
flags but they were all American flags
Some of them were carried at half
mast on account of the fact that the
wife of the president was dead in
Washington and on the stats of all of
the banners crepe was displayed as q
token of sympathy to the president
and his family.
The parade was a notable one and
many German military organizations
were represented in the line, but the
German uniforms which have been con-
spicuous on other similar parades were
conspicuous for their absence in Ke-
nosha. American flags were every
where in evidence and American patri-
otism characterized every speech made
at the big celebration.
There was no praise for Kaiser Will
helm which was not followed by an ex-
preston of love for the stars and
stripes and when the great crowd at
the city hall joined in singing, 'Das
LIST Der Tag Des Herrn,' the music
died away to come back in echo with
the "Star Spangled Banner. " Ger
man day in Kenosha was not partisan
affair and the Germans themselves saw
to it that no partisanship was shown.
The main ceremony Of the day was
held on Market Square in front of the
city hall and here the flags. and ban
ners were dedicated. With the German
banner of the Stadtverband was linked
an American flag.
G. r. Stemm, leader among the Ger
mans of Kenosha, gave an address of
welcome and this was seconded by the
mayor of the city after which Prof.
Leo Stern of Milwaukee, president of
the Wisconsin German American ALI
ance was introduced and he made the
principal address of the day, Professor
Stern discussed the conditions which
led up to the war in Europe and he
declared that when the full truth is
known the kaiser will not be blamed
for starting the war. He declared that
Germany was fighting great war for
''Truth, civilization and culture"
The truth will come OUT he de-
clared. "The world viii see that it
was not the kaiser of the German peo-
pie that brought on this war. We are
peace loving, but we fight bitterly
when provoked. Germany viii win be-
cause where there is truth, culture.
civilization and morality there is vic
tory.
''Why should the kaiser after keep
ing peace for twenty-six years with
tremendous effort and great sacrifice
want ware Why should the German
people, having no desire to acquire
territory, want wars The war was
brought on by the envy of jealous
neighbors."
Prof. Stern assailed the press dis
patches now being published claiming
that they were being cabled from Eng
land and with view of giving the
world biased idea of the real condi-
tons in Europe.
Speaking of the work of the German
American Alliance Prof. Stern said:
"Neither |, nor the German American
National Alliance, want a German
party or Little Germany in this
country. We are true Americans. But
we also love our Fatherland and we