The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-21

The German ruler u the German
leaders are all human pleasantly
put in Joseph r. Ridder. They will
take up the Belgium problem and set
tie 1t the way they think right and
best. Being victor. in the
war known in the history Of the world,
they will feel cons derahly ela,od. It
viii be- only natural. They are only
human
As a man who has a more than
ordinary share in the shaping of pub
lie opinion. or in serving the public
with matter on which II may base its
opinion. what is your attitude after
six months Of war" | asked.
Precisely what II has always been.
! have always abhorred this war
though the history Of Europe during
Tn" asst forty years has consistently
predicted Il. The growth Of tho Ger
man nation could not but unbaldnce
the balance of power on the Cont
nent, And England could not stand
FOR this. She her web OF allies
for its offsetting. And into this web
she wove Russia, France. Japan and
a Of her other unnatural allies. When
history is written, without regard for
these tcm%poraiist arguments. these
things will become apparent.
81 have always advocated an carly
termination of the war. | still adj
vocate it-nOt In the interest of Ger
mary, but in hat of the United States.
Six rent bread is sufficient argument
IN the premises. But there are other
arguments why We Americans should
Ike 70 see this war early terminated
our tlade has hctu intorfcrcd with
our shipping has been interrupted ly
Great Britain. our right to trace with
neutral rations has been denied. CUR
right to say whether or not we shall
carry on the war by supplying the
Allies with arms. ammunition and tho
other munitions Of war Is questioned
II wish the war brought 20 It's earli-
est possible conclusion, not only be-
cause its continuance works for the
undoins Of Europe but because Il
equally works for the undoing OF the
United States. | am for peace al
ways; but when war r. necessary !
accept 1t. But I wish to see II always
brought to its earliest logical con-
Clusion.
Il wish il to be thoroughly under
stood that in discussing these matters
| have spoken simply as an American,
who, with German blood in his veins,
has attempted to keep in contact with
the German people and the German
national spirit. do not wish to be
quoted as an authority of German
subjects, am far from being such.
You may use, however, what | have
salt AS coming from m American,
horn in this city, and as his impress
sions Of present day German policy
and German thought"
These are the views Of the man
whose forceful periods, virile for the
fatherland, are eagerly read by many
Thousands in New York, and then so
rolling on with expanding influence
through h PENNSYLVANIA Dutch"
belt, the Cincinnati German strip, the
Milwaukee Teuton area, finally reach
ing the Pacific coast with gripping
force very little diminished because
Of the distance travelled. There are
admiring Germans in this city who in
sist that when Kaiser Wilhelm has
won his war, ono of his first appreci-
alive acts should bc to summon Her
man Ridder to Berlin and make him
n prince. More conservative friends,
while smiling at the idea If n coronct
for the editor of the Stdnts-Zeitun0
firmly believe there Is no decoration
or order in the gift Of the German
Emperor that will mot he proffered 10
the man who is easily the most force
ful Allies fighter in the United NtatssI