New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-02
HERMAN RIDDER
DIES, PRAYER
OFPEACE ON LIPS
Publisher, 81, Always In.
sisted America Was
First in His Love.

Herman Ridder died yesterday with
prophecy of peace on his lips. The
editor of the "Staats Zeitung" sue
cumbed to arterio-sclerosis and heart
disease, from which he had suffered
for more than year.
MAY peace soon be with US" he
whispered to his family, who were
gathered about his bed. Those were
his last words. A little later, at t:l5
yesterday afternoon, life left him.
Herman Ridder was a tighter. From
his early boyhood, when ct the age of
eleven he went to work in hat store,
up to the time of his death his life was
a constant struggle.
His last and best known conflict, IN
which he battled to uphold what he as
serted 10 be strict neutrality during
the great war, prematurely broke his
health and hurried on his death.
United States First"
He criticised sympathy shown for
the Allies, he condemned bitterly the
sale OF munitions TO France and Eng
land. he fought hard against the float
ing OF the $500 000, 900 loan. He main
tained that the United States was as
suming an unneutral position, and he
said so clearly. He upheld the German
propaganda.
When asked last February what his
stand would be in the event of hos:ill-
ties between Germany and the United
States, he said:
"Why, of course. ,ho United States
comes first. It's absurd for any one to
rate me other Ian a good American.
don't want President Wilson to get
US into 8 war. No good American does.
am opposed to war. 1t should be
avoided unless it is absolutely una
yoidable But If we must have it at
any time, with any nation whatever,
America comes first with me-
Herman Riders fight for what his
conscience told him was for neutrality
and world-peace was too heavy bur
den for a man, already ailing, TO carry.
year ago the aifliction which was 10
cause his death became serious. Yet
he never ceased his campaign. Since
December Is he has not appeared st
the Office Of the "Staats -Zeitung." vet,
confined to his home, he till carried
on his struggle.
Other Troubles Came.
Other than the impersonal worries of
the world war assaled the sick man IN
the last months Of his life. The Inter
national Typesetting Machine Com
pany, Of which he was president, went
into bankruptcy and plunged the
stricken editor into long litigation over
l.. 81 ,.Ix
tion of New York newspaper that he
was directly concerned in manufactur-
ing munitions for the Allies brought
from him a stormy reputation and
added 10 the weight his weakening
shoulders were obliged 10 carry. With
the last Of his failing strength he
fought bitterly against the loan to the
Allies.
Two weeks ago his family learned
that he was dying. All were at his
bedside yesterday when the end came
his wife, who was Mary c. Amend. of
New York; his brother, Henry Ridder:
his sons. Victor F.. Bernard II. and
Joseph f. Ridder; his brother-i -in-lsw.
William J. Amend. and his sister-in-
law, Miss Dens Amend. The Rev.
Thomas f. Myhan and the Rev. DR.. 4.
y. Stuart Chambers, both Of the
thurch OF tht bicsScu sacrament, were
also with him.
From tho day of his birth a. 100
Greenwich Street, March 8, 1861, Mr.
Ridder had always lived IN this city.
His father and mother were German
born. The lad attended public school
until his eleventh birthday. He then
began his upward climb as an errsnd
hoy in a hat store. Later he served in
Wall Street firm, and IN his thir-
teenth YEAR entered tho employ Of the
Trsdesmen's Fire Insurance Company.
Newspaper Career Began in 1878.
Mr.. Riders newspaper career began
IN 1878. when he deserted the insurance
field and established the "Kathollsches
Volksblatt." Eight years later he
founded "The Catholic News which
shortly became the foremost Catholic
psper in the United States.
In 1890 he became connected Win the
"Stasts Zeitung." first as stockholder,
then as director and later as manager.
FINALLY he became president Of the cor
poration and guiding genius OF 'he
papers policy:
Mr. Riddcr's business career was
Continued on page 4 column