New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-11
BOYCOTT
ALREADY HURTS
GERMANS HERE
Business Men Sense
Change of Sentiment Due
to Lusitania Tragedy.
RICHER CLASSES
JUSTIFY SINKING
Editor Talks of 100000 Hy-
phenated Citizens Who May
Defy Administration.

German sentiment in this city is
crystallizing. The reaction from the
joy caused by the first news that the
Lusitania had been sunk is beginning
10 assert itself. While the better class
Of Germans are answering in their
assertion that the American govern
ment has no grounds for any drastic
actions against Germany, the small
German shopkeepers and those of the
middle class are keenly alive to the
change in American sentiment.
Several German shop keepers. in
GLIDING the owner Of a large Broad
way establishment, have already felt
the financial effect caused by Ameri-
can disapproval Of Germany's subma-
rine warfare. Those directly affected
in their business BY the anti-German
change in American sentiment are dis
GUESSING among themselves the bad ef-
fects which their Fatherland's recent
demon stration of highhanded dlsre-
gard of the rights of neutrals has pro-
duced in this city.
Rldder sees BrltlSn RIOT.
But the financially independent class
of Germans here continues to assert
that Germany has a right TO sink
every ship carrying contraband, re-
CARELESS Of the danger to neutrals.
They are defiant of public opinion and
assert that Germany is strong enough
to disregard it. While the loss of
American lives is generally regretted
the blame is fixed variously. Some of
them blame the American government
for permitting its citizens to travel
IN the war zone aboard swimming
British arsenal" Others lay the blame
at the door of the British Admiralty
because the Lusitana was not con-
voyed to safety. Others point out that
the victims persisted through their own
disregard of timely warnings
Herman Ridder in the "Staats-Zei-
tung" yesterday suggested that the
loss of the Lusitania was deliberate
plan of the British government TO
draw this country into war with Ger
many. or at least to lay the founda-
ton for strained relations between
the two countries which sooner OF
later would lead to hostilities. THIS
view is shared by many better class
Germans.
1T has been clearly shown that Ger
many is not bufIng in her warfare
said Werner Zierling, president of the
fashionable German Fencing Club. 1T
is Great Britain which has been bluff
ing from the start and is blutiing
now. Everybody will remember Lord
Churchills taunt about forcing the
German rats out of their holes. Now
that they have come out Great Britain
apparently is at their mercy"
Germans Here Loyal, II
"What difference does it make TO
Germany whether she has to fight one
more or less ?" queried George Sylves-
ter Viereck, american" arbiter of
German tactics. "Of course Germany
does not seek. more enemies. But II
they are forced upon her she Will take
care of them. If it should come to an
actual break between this country and
Germany, a careful canvass Justlhes
me in asserting that the l5,OOO,0OO OF
German-Americans in the United
States will rally 10 the American col
ors only If war is declared with cause.
A trumped-up cause without founda-
ton in justice and fact Will surely
force these 100000 of people TO
repuQlate lne duInIHISNiaI4Oll P''iN'.
Mr.. Viereck. who accurately predict
ed the torpedoing of the Lusitania, was
emphatic in his assertion yesterday
that Germany would sink every vessel
carrying contraband which could be
overhauled by her submarines.
DR.. Bernhard Dernburg expressed
himself as highly pleased at the
promptness with which the German
government sent official regrets 70 the
American government at the loss OF
American lives through the torpedoing
of the Lusitania by German subma-
rine.
Every German regrets the unfortu-
nate casualties" he said. But Ger
many cannot assume the blame. Even
the American flag and American regis
try will be no protection against sub