Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-12
June II, 1915.
"To the German Americans:
Americans.)

ITO the German Americans:
Permit me to address a word to
YOU as one American citizen speak
ing to fellow citizens in whose patriot
ism he has entire confidence.
1T is natural that in a contest be-
tween your Fatherland and other Eu-
ropean nations your sympathies should
be with the country Of your birth. 1t
Is no cause for censure that this is
true; it would be a reflection upon
YOU if it were not true. Do not the
sons Of Great Britain sympathize with
their mother country. Do not the sons
of France sympathize with theirs? Is
not the same true of Russia and Italy?
Why should it not be true Of those
who are born in Germany or Austria
The trouble is that the extremists on
both sides have mistaken a natural at
tachment felt for birthplace for dis
loyalty to this country.
Wilson's Neutrality
1.-THE President has been unjust1y
criticized by the partisans OF both
sides-the very best evidence Of his
neutrality If he had so conducted the
government as to wholly please either
side it would excite not only aston
shment, but misgivings. for partisans
cannot give an unbiased judgment;
they will of necessity look at the ques-
ton from their own point Of view, CIV
ing praise or blame. according as the
act, regardless of it's real character,
helps or hurts the side with which
they have aligned themselves.
Criticism by Germany
THE fact that the administration
has received more criticism from Ger
man-Americans than from those in
sympathy with the Allies is due to
the fact that, while both sides are at
liberty, under international law. to
purchase ammunition in the United
States, the Allies, because of their con-
troll Of the seas have the advantage
of being able to export it. 1t is un-
fortunate that partisan supporters of
Germany should have overlooked the
legal requirements Of the situation and
have thus misunderstood the position
of the administration. The admins
tration's position has not only been
perfectly neutral but it could not have
been otherwise without a palpable and
intentional violation of the rules gov
erning neutrality. This government is
not at liberty to materially change the
rules Of International law. during the
war because every change suggested
is discussed, not upon its merits as
an abstract proposition, but accord
ing to the effect it will have upon the
contest. Those who wanted to lay an
embargo upon the shipments of arms
defended their position on the ground
that it would hasten peace. but it is
strange that they could have overlook
ed the fact that the only way in which
such action on our part could hasten
peace would have been by helping one
side to overcome the other.
Confident of Patriotism
while the attacks made upon the
President by the extremists Of botf
sides were very unjust, it was equal
ly unjust to suspect the patriotism o.
those who took sides. feel well enough
acquainted with the European-borr
Americans to believe that in war be.
tween this country and any European
power, the naturalized citizens from
that country would be as quick to en-
list as native born citizens. AS I an
now speaking to German-Amaricans
am glad to repeat in public what ]
have said in private and would have
said in public before but for the fac
that it would not have been proper fol
one IN my official position to do So
namely: That in case Of war between
the United States and Germany-if 81
improbably supposition can be con.
Observation-Disclosures would be
prompt to enlist and as faithful to the
flag as any other portion Of our peo.
pie. What I have said in regard t.
German Americans is an introduction
to an appeal which l feel it my duty t.
make to them.
Forget Suspicious
First: II any Of them have ever IL
a moment Of passion Of excitement sus.
pected the President Of lack Of neutral.
ity or lack Of friendship toward thu
German government and the German
people, let that thought be forgotten
never again to be recalled. have. since
my resignation, received numerous tel.
egrams from German-Americans and
German-American societies commend.
ing my action: think the senders OF
these kilograms understand my posi-
ton, but that no one may mistake /,
LAT mo ro.rfa 20 ~ The rv.~;ao-& g.
only DESTROYS Of peace. but he hope.
for it and he has adopted the methods
which he thinks mot likely 70 iOuAtrib-