New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-04
Backing Water on the Pro-Germar
Movement.

Movement.
Some Of the ouick-on -the-trigger German
Americans who have been talking about starting
"a pro-German political party in this country are
now beginning 10 regret their indiscretion. The
response Of American opinion to this odious sug-
gestion has been a revelation TO them. They see
that they have made very stupid blunder in
following General Won Bernhardis famous admo-
milton TO Germans naturalized in other countries.
Bernhard held that it was the duty of such
German ex-subjectS TO consider Germany's inter
ests first whether or not those interests conficted
with the interests Of the land Of their adoption.
To unhyphenated Americans such violation of
the oath Of naturalization and the duties Of citi
zenshp is an act of unspeakable baseness. 1t is
a treacherous return for the privileges which the
United States so generously showers on those
who come here seeking new home and broader
opportunities. There car be no doubt about the
short shrft which the American public would
give 70 any party with an alien point Of view
and a programme subordinating our national
well-being { the well-beng Of some other nation.
In the Stats Zetung" Of yesterday Mr.. Her
man Ridder tried to cover up the bunder COM
mitted at the Washington conference by saying
that that gathering was dominated by Ameri-
cans and was designed TO promote policy which
may be tritely described as America for Amer-
cans" lie said further of the resolutions adopted
What American wishes less? What American,
whatever his racial extraction, would not sub
scribe to the resolutions adopted at Washington
on Saturday"
1t is self-evident that no American who does
not put aiding Germany above every other con-
sideration can wish to repeal in the midst Of a
war the long established rule Of international law
which permits the citizens or subjects of neu-
trial state to sell arms and munitions of war to
a belligerent. That is a rule 20 which all the
nations now at war have consented and on which
all have acted. 1t would be gross violation of
neutrality to abandon the accepted status quo
and to put in force new rule which could only
work TO the advantage of one set Of belligerents
and to the injury Of the other.
Moreover, if the programme of the Washington
conferrees is purely American in spirit and aim,
why is il necessary to create new party, re-
cruited exclusively from among sympathzers
with Germany, in order to secure action on it?
We have American parties competent to deal
with American issues and accustomed to excud-
ing all ideas of alien advantage when settling
such issues Such an organization as the Wash
ington conference contemplated could only be
pro-German in aim and pro-German in member
ship.
There are intelligent German Americans who
the movement. In a letter to Representative
Bartholdt, declining an invitation TO participate
in the conference Professor Kuno Francke of
Harvard University, voiced what we believe to be
the real views Of most Americans of German
origin. He frankly said that he is bound to
support American citizen a policy which
holds itself strictly within the now accepted rules
of neutrality" He added;
Nothing would be more fatal to our standing in
the community than the nslstence racial contrasts
and demands. We have every opportunity in this
country 20 make felt what is best In German charac-
ter and life. Let us continue TO do But
let US refrain from political organizations which
would set Germans IN this country apart as a class
by themselves. Such an attempt would lead not to
the raising but 20 the degradation Of the German
name in this country. would foster hatred instead
Of sympathy; and only by gaining the sympathy OF
the majority Of the American people can we German
Americans help the cause OF our mother country.
1t is unanswerable logic Of this sort, coming
from German-Americans themselves, that dooms
the pro-German political movement to grotesque
failure.