Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-03-04

THEIR DUTIES AS
AMERICAN CITIZENS

From the Literarx piges

EIoNl Tic AlleEdEy DtSest.
1t is undeniable that grave misgiving,
were heard In many quarters when the
call went out some weeks ago for oul
German-Anerican population to torgan.
lie" as a unit for some action not Their
clearly defined. These misgivings have
increased rather than diminished. IL We
may judge by press comment, since the
movement then ~foreshadoWed has taken
definite shape and frankly announced its
platform.
Although the nationwide organization
launched In Washington on January 30 by
ts representative COMMUNICATIONS de-
clares Its chief aim to be the re-estab-
lishment of genuine American neutral
ity, Its critics do not hesitate to de-
hounce 1t as an attempt to coerce the
United States government into taking an
active pro-German stand.
Thai these objections to the program
of the Washington conference are not
prompted entirely by sympathy with the
allies may be Inferred from the striking
protest registered by DR.. Kuno Francke.
head of Harvard's Germanic museum.
and one of the most uncompromising
champions of Germany's cause in this
country. In a letter to Representative
Richard Bartholdt, declining to take part
In the movement, DR.. Francke, after de-
plaring his sympathies in this way, Who'll
~ 'AbA ~ Oi tAC HSkJiBhi iSS
goes on to say:
But my German %sympathies cannot
make me forget what seem to me my
duties as an American citizen.
II believe 1t would be against my duties
as an American citizen II [ were to TAX
part in a propaganda the purpose OF
which will be thought to be to force our
government into a hostile attitude toward
England. Your circular letter speaks Of
England as Americas arch enemy 1t
calls for a New Declaration of Indepen-
denee, which is to eliminate all undue
hfe.' And it protests against the contin-
ued traffic in arms and munitions of war
which practically arrays our country on
the side of England
Il do not wish to emphasize the fact
that the proclamation of an embargo on
arms and munitions Of war would be an
Altogether illusory thing. Arms and other
ment established an embargo on them, be
shipped from this country to Havana, or
to Ytgo. or to some other neutral port and
would reach their destination from there
to. emphasize is that the establishment OF
such an embargo would inevitably bring
Dur government into conflict with Eng
land and might drive US into war with
England. AS a man of German blood l
might welcome the help which would &C.
crue to Germany by such d conflict be-
tween the United States and England.
But as an American citizen INcannot pos
the terrors of war to our W country.
What I feel bound to support, as an
American citizen. is q policy which holds
itself strictly within the now accepted
rules of neutrality, although. to my regret,
this policy, through circumstances over
which the United States has no control,
practically turns out to the advantage OF
England and to the detriment of Ger
many"
DIR. Francke's letter closes with the
following earnest plea:
I'VE ave every opportunity in this coun-
try to make felt what is best in German
character and life. Let us continue to do
so: let us continue to have political, civ
lie and Industrial progress; let us tand
for the German ideals of honesty, loyalty,
t~ruthfulness. devotion to work: let us cul-
tivate our language. our literature, and
our art; let us fearlessly defend the cause
Of u mother country against prejudices
and aspersions. Rut 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 to the degradation OF the
German name in this country. 1t would
foster hatred instead of sympathy: and
only by gaining the sympathy of the ma
jority of the American people can we
German-Americans help the cause OF our
mother country.