Evening star., 1915-06-12

Birthplace for disloyalty to this &C
The President has been unjustly criti-
cised by the partisanS of both sides
the very best evidence of his neutralltE.
If he had SO conducted the gorernment
as to wholly please either side It would
excite not only aStoniShment but mis-
givings. for partisans cannot give an
unbiased judgment: they will of neces-
sity look at the question from thelr
own point of view. giving praise OF
blame according as the act. regardless
of it's real character. helps or hurts the
side with which they have aligned
themselves.
The fact that the administration has
received more criticism from German
Americans than from those IN SYM
pathy with the allies is due 10 the 1act
that. while both sides are at llhert!,
under international law, to purchase
ammunition in the United states. Tue
allies because of their control OF ihe
seas have the advantage of beng abie
to export it. 1t is unfortunate ina pa,
tisan supporters of Germany snoulu
have overlooked the legal requirements
of the situation and have thus misun-
derstood the position of the admins
tration The administration posliio
has not only been perfectly neutral
but it could not have been otherwise
without a palpable and Intentional vio-
lation of the rules governing neu-
trality.
Attacks on President Unjust.
While the attacks made upon the
President by the extremists OF both
sides were very unjust, it was equally
unjust to suspect the patriotism or
those who took sides. l feel well
enough acquainted with the European
born Americans to believe that in
war between this country and any Eu-
ropean power the naturalized citizens
from that country would be as quick
to enlist as native-born citizens. AS 1
now speaking to German-A Amerl- :
cans, l am glad to repeat In pubic
what l have often said in private, and
would have said in public before but
for the fact that it would not have
been proper for one in my official po-
sition to do so, namely, that in case OF
war between the United States and
Germany--if so improbable a supposi-
tion may be considered-German-
Americans would be prompt to en-
list and as faithful TO the flag as any
other portion of our people. w hat i
have said in regard to Germa n Ameri-
cans is an introduction to an appeal
which / feel it my duty to make to
them.
First-If any of them have ever in a
moment cf passion or excitement sus-
pected the President of lack of neu-
trality or lack of friendship toward
the German government and the Ger
man people. let that thought be for
gotten, never again to be recalled. /
have, since my resignation, received
numerous kilograms from German
Americans and German American So
cieties commencing my action | think
the senders of these kilograms under
stand my position. but that no one may
mistake il let me restate it. The Pres
ident Is not only desirous of peace.
but he hopes for 1t, and he has adopted
the methods which he thinks most
likely to contribute toward peace. My
difference from him is as to method.
n and utterdnceS
since resigning have been intended TO
crystalline public sentiment in support
of his efforts to maintain peace. OF. 70
use a familiar phrase-''Peace with
honor" But remember that when l
use the phrase Peace with honor /
do not use il in the same sense that
those do who regard every opponent OF
war as fayoring Peace at any price
Peace at any price" is an epithet. not
a true statement of any ones position
OF of the policy of any group.
Duty to Aid in Securing Peace.
Second-knowing that the President
desires peace, it is your duty to help
him secure il, and how? By exerting
your influence to convince the German
government of this fact and to per-
suade that government to take no
steps that would lead in the direction
of war. My fear has been that the
German government might. despairing
of friendly settlement, break off dip
lomattc relations, and thus create a
condition out of which war might come
without the intention of either coun-
try. ] do not ask you to minimize the
earnestuess of the Presidents state
nent-that would be unfair. both to
him and to Germany. The sinking of
the Lusitania cannot be defended upon
the facts as we understand them. The
killing OF innocent women and chill
dren cannot be justified, whether the
killing is by drowning or starving: no
nation can successfully plead the in
humanity of her enemies as an excuse
for inhumanity on her own part
While II Is true that cruelty is apt tc
beget cruelty, II cannot be said that
like causes like" Even in war We
are not absolved from the obligation
TO remedy evils By the influence of a
good example. Let your lights 81
shine" is precept that knows no times
nor season, az II knows neither lati-
tude nor longitude.
Third-Do not attempt to connect the
negotiations winch are going on be
tween the United States and Germany
with those between the United States
and Great Britain. The cases are diff
ferent. but even il they were the same
II would be necessary to treat with
each nation separately. Ny persona
preference has been TO repeat our in.
sistenec that the allies shall not in
terfere with our commerce with utra
countries. but the difference on this
poiNt was a matter OF judgment anG
not a matter OF principle.
Ny reason for desiring TO have the
matter presented TO Great Britain a,
once was not that Germany had any
right TO ask IL, but because | was
anxious to make II easy posi- ble
for Germany 10 accept the demands OF
the United States and cease to employ
submarines against merchantmen
There - no reason why any German.
American should doubt the President.
Intentions in this matter. | am SURF
that every one viii, reflection, rec
ognize that our duty TO prevent loss o.
Hfe Is more urgent than our duty Il
prevent interference with trade-los.
OF trade can be COMPENSATED for win
money, but no settlement that tn.
United States and Germany may reach
can call back 10 life those who wen,
down with the Lusitania-and wal
would be the most extensive of al
settlements because IL would enormous
ly add 10 the number OF the dead