TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1915-01-15
THE plEpENBRINK CASE.

THE PIEPENBRINK CASE.
! We presume that the American people
are in utter ignorance of the case ol
A. VI. Piepenbrink, an American sailor
We bring this highly important matter
to their knowledge in the hope that s.
will move them to give more attention
TO the inefficient manner In which our
foreign affairs are conducted by the
present administration. The history Of
the case transports the mind Of the
reader TO the time when Washington,
Jefferson and Madison stood up against
English aggression on sea, which finally
led TO war, as the only means to vim
dicate the rights and honor Of our
nation. August c. II. Piepenbrink was
sailor on the American coasting vessel
'Windber'. The ship was on her voyage
from BaIlinghsm, Washington, via the
Panama Canal, TO Hobolxen. IN tile
Atlantic ocean, go miles south OF
Jamaica the 'windber' was stopped by
THE French cruiser 'Conde'. Piepenbrink
was taken from the ship and carried as
prisoner OF war TO the detention camp
at Jamaica. Secretary Bryan who was
notified of the occurrence demanded
from the English government the
release OF Piepenbrink and the request
was denied on the ground that he was
German BY birth. The facts that he
has been a resident Of the United states
for twenty years, that he obtained his
first citizen paper, that he was stew
ard on the 'Windber for three years,
that the destination Of the ship pre-
eluded the possibility that he was on
his way TO Germany 10 perform military
service, were rejected by the British
government as inconsequential. This
occurrence il scarcely distinguishable
from the praetiec Of Great Britain to
Impress Arsrican sesmen. But Il IL il |
that riepenbrink was not |
there are other features
which make the incident even more
revolving 10 the American mind. In
1861 England prepared for war against
the United States because ws had taken
two confederate political sgents from
an English merchant vessel and hes
Itated whether 10 comply with the
English demand ior their immediate
release. The war vas ayerted by
setting the Two robiederates At liberty.I
Now when We act on the English
precedent. We meet With point b,ane
refusal. The injustice assumes The
Of gross outrage when We
that the caPture was made on
IN inland voyage, and under cir
,amstances, a. the facts related sllow.
shich give England not . particle oil
egal standing. Ar Bryan has filed
orlnal, We might say perfunetory pro-
est. Although he met with rebuff, in
ulting to our national dignity 10 de
Iree, neither he nor the President have
lRd the manliness TO stand up for Amer
can rights IN an manner which impress
es England With our determination 70
emand justice at all hazards. Such
weak and Inefficient administrat tion
eeds a sharp reminder from the people
hat II the resident is willing 10 lower
he Stars and stripes TO the Union Jack
he American people do not consent TO !
ueh gros INSULT 10 their national
ignity and to their neutral rights. A q
opular demonstration against the
residents weakness would also benefi:
he country in an other direction which !
lso calls ior urgent action. Our bus
less conditions are extremely unsatls /
,etory owing 10 the obstacles OF Eng
md TO our European commerce. While (
is true that the President has pro
.sted, ii is sc the same time apparent
rat England win not change her con
net for mere diplomatic notes. She
ust be reminded Of the duty Sue owes
} US and OF the rights which We are
ound TO maintain in a more foreible
ay, and these vigorous proceedings
III only be adopted when the President N
,seryes determined attitude on the n
lrt Of the american people TO resent It
ID suppress English insoience and b
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