The Detroit times., 1915-12-15
1T is NOT TRUE
BY Or. FRANK CRANE
Copyright. 1915, by Frank Crane)

what is all this you have been telling
me about war? What do you mean?
DO you expect me, an intelligent, edu-
Gated person, to believe you? Pah! Go
talk to the marines!
| have been in Europe. I have lived
months at time among those Germans,
French, Italians, and English and say
that what you tell me is absurd.
Those Germans. for instance recall
particularly the Bavarians, the Meun-
cheners-are the gentlest folk imagin-
able. They are Industrious, lovers Of
home, adore beer and music. | can see
them now in my memory's eye, papa,
mamma, and the children at the Hofbrau
garden. full of laughter and good will to-
ward all men.
And do you mean to tell me that these
men torpedoed the Ancona, shot the peo-
pie in the lifeboats. and sneered while
women and children sank screaming,
strangling to death?
For that matter. do you expect me TO
believe that the great, kindhearted, cul-
tured German people have declared war
on the world? And in the twentieth
century have gone forth to pillage, MAIN
and butcher like savage red men? I'm
possible!
They did not overrun Belgium. They
did not use chlorine gas to destroy
Frenchmen. They did not sing hymns
of hate against Englishmen. They did
not invade Serbia and massacre the in
habitants in the streets of the cities. No,
no! 1t is unthinkable!
They did not send Zeppelins to drop
hot -
They did not lombard unarmed coast
cities. They did not shoot a nurse for
humanely aiding hunted men. ] refuse
to believe any such outlandish reports.
Why do you tax my credulity?
And do you mean to say that twenty
German professors have published q
pamphlet justifying the destruction Of
the Lusitania, that crime which sent
shiver through the civilized world? l
know many of those professors. and they
are both gentle in heart and wise in
head; they could not possibly put forth
such an amazing document.
You say that there are millions Of
Europeans now Strengthening each other,
tearing. stabbing. shooting. yet that no
one knows what it is all about? Why,
they couldn't do that!
Many of them are Christians, and can
Christians murder causelessly? Many
are Socialists, 1nternationals, and such
do not believe in wars Your whole story
is improbable, ridiculous!
Perhaps you dream, and will wake up
from your nightmare. For nothing but
disordered, diseased imagination could
invent such monstrous. diabolical news
as you print daily in your papers.
Why, do you suppose men have lost
all natural feeling and that they would
desolate myriad homes for a point Of
national pride?
Look at the people about you, kind,
intelligent, lawabiding. Do you mean to
say that they could all go mad and set
out to kill and rage like savages?
Don't you know that Christianity has
been at work two thousand years hui
manizing mems hearts; that commerce
is worldwide and would protest against
international arrangement; and that
the European peoples are educated, ra.
tional folk and would not for moment
consider doing what you say they do?
Quit relating these wild tales, these
fevered fancies, these awful, repulsive,
hideous werewolf stories! They are not
true.
II cannot be true. This is the twen-
tieth century. 1t is not true.