The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-08
INFORMATION WANTED.
some Questions Inspired by an Appeal
TO Help the Soldiers.

To THE EpIToR or TIE SuN-Str: \
few days ago 7 received a request TO
contribute to the Lafayette Fund
While my sympathies are with the other
side, I have contributed according to
my means to funds collected for the suf-
fcrers In Belgium. | found. however.
that this fund Is devoted ito the i'm
mediate relief OF the French soldiers In
the trenches"
The question arises Have we any
right to assist the soldiers actually In
the fighting line? The hyphenated
Americans Of German origin have col
lccted large sums OF money. but every
cent has been devoted to the purposes
of the Red Cross and to the relief OF
widows and orphans. I. e.. non-comha-
tants. Several OF these misguided per
sons have forwarded small packages to
friends or relatives at the front, but
the United states Post Office Depart
ment has refused to accept the parcels.
The Rev. Father John r. Pfeifer OF st.
IIelens, near Louisville. Ky. among
others, sent a package containing a pair
of old leather CATERS. n pipe some to-
bacco and cigars, chocolate. &c. to Il
relative In the German army in France.
The package was returned to him with
the remark that the United States Post
Office could not orwar "contraband
OF war" why can this fund do 1t?
The circular | received contains some
information new to me. IL states quite
correctly that we owe a deb OF graft
tude to France for her assistance in
the war of Independence. The state
ment hat the French people. hearing
our call Of distress. FASTENED to our re-
lief' will. however, hardly bear in
~vestigation. The French people had
nothing to do will H. TIL Government
OF Louis XVI. in which the people had
no voice whatever. did not assist US be
cause 1t admired our courage or our
beautiful eyes but because il was at
war with Great Britain. 1t did moi care
a rap for the colonies and their indie
pendence, but recognized an opportunity
to hurt Great Britain. We benefited
by II and have reason to be- grateful,
but does this Justify us In assisting the
French army in every war II may
engage in
Again. IL is stated that France IS
engaged in a great struggle for indie
pendence the spirit OF liberty IS In dan
ger" This seems rather to overstatc
the case. especially as according 20 the
American newspapers the Allies are in
10 danger whatsoever and the doom OF
German militarism is certain. The qucs-
ton I want TO ask is this: However
opinions may differ AZ 70 the cause o.
the war and the responsibility OF Rus
Slt, 'reI many OF 'IItfi britain TOT biliA-
ing II about. H. there any doubt hat
France entered L without any excuse
except that she considered the moment
opportune to crush Germany with the
help of her allies When was the in
dependence of France or the spir., %.
liberty threatened. and by whom? Til.
differences OF opinion were solely no
tween Austria-lIunEarv. Servia and
Russia, n later between Germany and
Russia. Great Britain. as w an know.
entered the war only because the ueu
trality of Belgium was violated. and
this occurred after the question of the
German Ambassador st Paris as 10
what France would do IN case " q wa
between Germany and Russia had been
Clainly answered to the effect that France
would stand by her ally.
II France Is really In danger. Is this
not the consequence OF her own act ami
because she decided to AXE part In 4
struggle in which she was not vitality
interested? There Is no reason why We
should no, help in alleviatins suffering
IN France ~ wei as 20 Belgium. hIt
= - necessary 70 falsifv history and f.
deceive pur children" For the LAFAYETTE
Fund appeals directly TO the children of
America HYPHrNATYp AMERICAN.
sew YORK. March s