The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-06-12
Col W. j. Bryan. yesterday gave on
the following statement:
TO THE DETERMINATIONS:


the following statement:
TO THE GERMAN-AMERICA
Permit me to address "a word~to you as
one American citizen speaking to fellow
citizens in whose patriotism he has en-
tire confidence. 1t is natural that in a
contest between your Fatherland and
other European nations your sympathies
should be with the country of your birth.
1t is no cause for censure that this is
it were not true. Do not the sons Of
Great Britain sympathize with their
mother country? Do not the tsons of
France sympathize with theirse Is not
the same true Of Russia and of Italy?
Why should II not be true of those who
are born in Germany or Austria? The
trouble is that the extremists on both
sides have mistaken a natural attach
ment felt for birthplace for disloyalty to
this country.
The President has betn unjustly criti-
cised by the partisans OF both sides
the very best evidence of his neutrality.
If he had so conducted the government
as to wholly please either side it would
excite not only establishment but misgiv-
ings. for partisans cannot give an unbi-
ased Judgment: they will of necessity
look at the question from their own
point OF view. giving praise or blame. ac-
cording as the act. regardless of its real
character helps or hurts the side with
which they have aligned themselves.
Allies Have Advantage.
The fact that the administration has re-
ceived more criticism from German
Americans than from those in sympathy
with the allies is due to the fact that.
while both sides are at liberty. under
international law. to purchase ammuni-
ton in the United States, the allies. be-
cause of their control of the seas, have
the advantage of being able to export
it. 1t is unfortunate that partisan sup
porters of Germany should have over
looked the legal requirements of the sit
uation and have thus misunderstood the
position of the administration. The ad-
ministration's position has not only been
perfectly neutral. but ii could not nave
been otherwise without a palpable and
intentional violation of the rules govern
ing neutrality
While the attacks made upon the Pres
ident by the extremists of both sides
were very unjust. it was equally unjust
TO suspect the patriotism of those who
took sides. I feel well enough acquainted
with the European-born Americans to
believe that in a war between this country
and any European power. the naturallzed
citizens from that country would be as
quick to enlist as native-horn citizens.
As / am now speaking to German
Americans. | am glad to repeat in pubic
what ] have often said III private. and
would have said in public before but for
the fact that it would not have been
proper for one in my official position to
do so, namely. that in case of war be-
tween the United States and Germany-if
so improbable a superstition can be con-
sidered-German-Ame Americans would be as
prompt to enlist and as faithful to the
flag as any other portion of our people.
What ! have said in regard to German
Americans is an introduction to an APP
peal which feel it my duty TO make to
them.
First: II any Of them have ever IN
moment Of pa ssion or excitement suspect
ed the President of lack of neutrality or
lack of friendship toward the German
government and the German people, let
that thought be forgotten, never again
to be recalled. / have, since my resig-
nation. received numerous, kilograms from