The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-05-28
AMERICA FIRST
[From the N. Loramle Progress. !

lAklll than the ffesluehls message TO
Germany, Much depends on this
message and much upon the answer
Germany will make, The message
is free from haughtlness or menace,
but definite and clear, Firm but not
offensive, Il leaves an honorable
opening, And with solemn silence
await Germanys reply What will
II be?
The situation is a new one. entire
ly new, and erroneous ideas are cas-
! ily formed. But one thing remains
not to be disputed. The Luaitania
disaster is deplorable fact, The
destruction Of American life. proerty
and right cannot be tolerated by the
American people.
In the event Of a German-Ameri-
can armed conflict. we Americans of
German origin viii taste the bitter
pangs and pains of duty and Of con
sideration deeper and keener than
all others. With heart sufferings
We must now contemplate over this
situation and no fair minded person
will censure us for this. The two
countries nearest and dearest to us!
on the one side-the country of our
choice and adoption which has given
us contentment of heart, on the other
the country of our birth and cradle
which protected the life Of our infan-
cy and early development There can
be but one ardent hope in this dark
hour of suspense that the German
government while fully preserving
its dignity and rights may yet find
us an answer that will spare us the
worst. As to the final issue, there
is but one result. There is but one
! flag under which the Germans have
fought before to uphold and they will |
my There is but one flag under
which the German American has
fought There can be but one flag
under which he will ever fight and |
that is the Stars and Stripes. But
may Providence avert such possi- |
bility.
Germany, cemented to this nation
| by so many bonds of blood, friend |
ship, culture, and industry will not /
fail to take proper notice of this mes
sage although pressed by all its pres
ent necessities of war There can be .
no argument as to the proper protec-
ton of American life, property, and |
right by our Federal government. /
All fair minded American citizens /
no matter OF what previous foreign /
alliance will readily concede that any /
conflicting. nations cannot and must /
not endanger neutral interests. Ger
many up to this time has maintained |
the right to her undersea warfare in |
retaliation and in defense for what 1
is termed England's attempt to starve /
the German people by her system of
blockade; and the claim that Eng
land has rejected the American note
protesting the rights of neutral com
merce and for seeking to protect her
war supplies by placing on the decks
of her own ammunition laden vessels
the human cargo of a neutral nation.
The blame of our present situation, II
trying as it is,must be shared alike
by Germany and Great Britain. Re
dress for American rights and its
guarantee must be given. But what
constitute both in the present situa-
ton neither nation can tell us for
reasons obvious. A court of arbi-
tration would be the best solution
and let us hope that Germany sees
this, for the message is such that the
case is left open by the president not
exhausted nor the channels cut off
The moderation of the Presidents
language stands approved by the en-
tire American people and let us hope
that Germany is able to understand
fully his goodr intention for peace
and good will.
Lord Ceresford has charged Ger
many with a deliberate planning to
draw the United States into the fight.
Let us hope that this will be proven
now as utterly unfounded But in
asking the Union to be impartial
neutral, let us not forget that also we
the German element of this same I'm
ion, must be impartial, neutral, to
our very thoughts, no matter what
our feelings may be. We must be in
accord with the President in his Sc
we're duty to maintain the rights of
the United States and its citizens to
insure our liberty and the exercise
and enjoyment thereof
The situation is indeed novel and
perplexing, both in the Interpretation
of international law and in regard
to the utilities of modern warfare,
but it remains to be proven what
nations rights are. The tempest
for the hour has passed and a calm
ness has superseded. Indignation /
over sending hundreds of unwarring
men, women, and children to a wat
cry grave, nationality no matter, ran !
justly so high that in many instan-
ces reason gave way for a time to I
passion. Many unkind thoughts
may have been entertained and many {
unkind words spoken in the heat Of /
the moment; they should be forgiven (
and forgotten. The nation should
congratulate itself to have at this
critical time man OF mental /
and firmness in the presi- :
dental office. The honor and dig 4
nifty of the entire American people {
are safe in his hands. AS man of !
peace he will not rush us into a war; /
heaven forbid such calamity. And (
Taft, though of differ
ent political creed, has shown him
self the splendid type of American
gentleman by rising above the war
cry, by sending to President Wilson r
a message of confidence and trust, 4
a document of justice and sincerity, i
the sentiment of the entire undivid- Y
ed American people. But if the i
most cruel situation that could befall a
an American citizen of German eX- bn
traction should face us, war be- 4
tween our two nearest and dearest s
countries, there is but one alterna- 4