Putnam patriot., 1915-07-16

Demonstrations as Foolish-Others
 Do Not Understand His Views.
 New Haven -Flamboyantiy patri-
 otic residents of Oyster River, among
 the younger male element chiefly,
 taking exception to what they consid-
 cred Prof. G. R. Nieland's lack of
 patriotism, protested at the flag
 raising by hanging the professor in
 efigy, and otherwise demonstrating
 their difference of opiinOn with the
 Yale man on the subject of patriotism. Professor Wieland has decided opin-
 ions of his own, and has not been 10th to express them. It was decided
 to put a flag in front of his house on Anawan avenue. Professor Wieland,
 who does not believe in such ardent ani what he terms hypoeritieal ex- prrssions of patriotism presented himself before the celebrating band and told them in emphatic terms that he did not wish any flag raising in front of his house.
 He delivered himself on the sub iect of patriotism, telling the members of the group of celebrators that for him patriotism did not consist in noisy firing of crackers, displays of the national emblem and useless prat- ing about the gleries of American independence He suggested that there was something deeper in fealty to ones country than these demon strations, aud added that the cele- orators had better be thinking of more substantial methods of making the eagle scream. Moreover. he added, that he was opposed to having a flag raising in front of his house He afterward explained that he was total- ly averse to this method of eelebrat- ing.
 His remarks were misconstrued by his hearers who noisily withdrew, with violent protestations against the lack of loyalty of the Yale man. 'Traitor" was heard, and even stronger words, and some one re- marked that Professor Wieland made his money in the United States and yet he denied allegiance to it. The band marched down to Anawan ave- nue, nearer the shore and planted their flag there at the same time hanging the professor in ettigy.
 The fact that Professor Wieland has on previous occasions informally delivered himself pretty freely on the subject of patriotism and the futility of empty demonstrations in truly reaching the point. added to this lat est episode, served to intensity the feeling among the young men of the resort that Professor Wieland was an alien. who foreswene his fealtY to the of the United States. The incident was much talked Of at the shore place.
 Professor Wieland refused to dis cuss the matter as far as denying it was concerned. preferring, he said to ignore it as too trivial "These people are absolutely crazy, a lot of riff-raff who don't understand, he said.
 He has pointed convictions upon the subject of patriotism, and be- Iieves. he said, that there is too much display of patriotism, which has no groundwork of convic- tion. Personally, I do not believe in celebrating the Fourth in the manner of these people. but l do not object to their doing it. provided they do not interfere with me I don't see why l should be obliged to stand for any such demonstration in front of my house as was planned. I believe that Americans could be more genu- finely patriotic than they are. The United States has done many things which are not above reproach. We took the Philippines. and the major ity of us are not entirely right in this war business. True patriotism to my mind consists in acknowledging our national faults and trying to correct them instead of this senseless prattle about the greatness of our country. Understand l yield to none in my admiration of my country, but l do not believe she is faultless, and all this talk about her impeccable right is poppycock-
 Agrees With Henderson.
 "The majority are not right in their attitude toward Germany. r believe with Professor Henderson that Ger many's side in this conflict is too lit tie understood. There has been much talk about the propriety of Dr. Dern- burgs campaign in this country. We forget that during the Civil War Henry Ward Beecher was sent to Eng land to argue the cause of the north, that he was even more despicably treated than Dernburg in this coun- try"