The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-05
OF whom WAS THE PRO.
FESSOR THINKINGi

To III EDITOR OF The SuN-sh: A
press report of the recent meeting of
the German University League at the
Waldorf-Astoria quotes ar "Ameri-
can professor and historian" as saying
this:
II feel like going down on my knees
and praying to God: Father. forgive
them; they know not what they do"
For whom was this American ask
ing forgiveness?
Was he thinking of his Most Chris
tian Majesty wilhelm, who IL nov
slashing through Europe with his
dripping Sword of kultur?
Was his heart going out to the
Belgians. TO the Won ravished, the
men killed. the homes destroyed, the
people robbed and starved. by their
pretended friends the Germans?
Was he asking Divine mercy for
those responsible for the slaughter and
the sacking Of Louvain. for the Lusi-
tania massacre. for the official shoot
ing Of the noble British nurse. Edith
Cavell. for the innocent women and
children killed m mangled by infer
ma machines dropped from the sky
on defenceless homes? Was he think
ing of this cruel and CHASTITY mania
for destroying helpless non-combat-
ants which has beset the German au-
thorities from the very first?
Was he rejecting upon the hideous
spectacle of Christian Germania.
sweet, beautiful, refined. grasping the
blood stained hands of the murderous
Turk and hugging him to her bosom
as a dearly beloved brother and ally
In the glorious work of shooting Ger
man hatred and ideals into the hearts
of the people OF Europe?
Had he in mind the million Arme-
mans recently butchered or driven
into the deserts to perish from hum
ger and thirst by the Turkish Gov
eminent because of their belief in the
same Christ whose protection the Ger
man Emperor invokes and claims?
Were his thoughts on the terrible.
the unspeakable cruelties visited upon
this vast multitude of people. espc-
cially the women and children. Us re-
ported by The American committee of
investigation?
Was he thinking Of the help Ger
many had already given her brothers
the Turks in their holy war" against
Christians? Was he grieving over
the pitiful fate Of the Serbians, whom
Germany IL now annihilating I'm order
TO pen the way to give more help,
more power to her murderous ally IN
destroying the followers of the Naza-
rene?
Or IL the professor joins the Ger
man crusaders in approving all these
things as just,iable wal asu
was he asking Gods forgiveness for
Germany's adversaries? Did he want.
for instance, God to forgive England
for using her fleet to save France from
the friGhtful fate Of Belgium?
Not at all. He was not thinking
of these things.
He was asking God to forgive Amer
lea, his own country, for its failure
TO accept German ideals and methods
n for its blind. u~nrcasouing ard
bitter" hostility to Germany. Thus ne
was asking Divine mercy for the only
great nation which has had the cour-
age, the self-restraint. I stand Ger
many's insults. %indignities and VIC
lence without forcibly %resenting them.
The Kaiser graciously stopped killing
Americans on the high seas. N mel
Their apology nor repaiution FOR those
already killed has been Forthcoming.
Is this not enough? Is further self
abasement necessary? Must We ask
God to forgive us for being Ameri-
cans and not wielders Of the bloody
Sword OF German Kultur?
The professor seems 10 think so. In
effect he says:
III n German comes up M pulls
yOur nose and kicks your shins. aS-
cept the distinction with grace because
OF his efficiency. culture, refinement
and his contributions to human knowl-
edge. IL he passes OF and kills ~
mains "A few OF your friends and
neighbors, approve and applaud his
Of heart and mind and his previous
good character. IL you do not do this,
may God forgive you"
Under the influence OF an ~increas-
ing individualism and the guidance of
such teachers and historians as this.
Is II any wonder that old time Amcri-
can patriotism is going out of style,
that national spirit is being dulled
n love of country becoming more
II more a mere abstract ~fervorless
sentiment?
l do not know the professor and
historian. My remarks are imper-
sonal. My grievance is against the
teachers of this shallow Americanism.
May their tribe soon shrivel, shrink
and disappear from the land.
AMMI NVptrur