The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-11-05
KUEHNEMANN RILED
ST. Louis GERMANS
Almost Broke up Turnyerein and
LiederkranZ Members Bar
rcd Anti-American Speech.

DR.. Eugene kuehnemann, the pro
fessOr who lccturcd at the Courthouse
on the European war last Tuesday
evening, won the reputation of being
4 fire-brand during his visit to St.
Louis few weeks ago.
Charles H. Overstolz, who returned
from st. Louis Friday, learned that
DR.. kuehnemann was forced to elm
mate his criticism of America before
the Llederkranz Club, an exclusive
German organization, would permit
him to deliver his address at the club.
DR.. Kuehnemann advertises himself
as a great Iadmirer of America and
Americans, but during his address at
the Courthouse in this city, he fIaycd
the United States and held the Ameri-
can up to rIdicule.
While in st. Louis he gave his lee
ture before the St. Louis Turnverein,
an organization composed exclusively
Of COMMUNICATIONS. His anti-Amer-
lean statements disorganized the club
and caused its president, Paul 0. Sum
mers, a banker and manufacturer, to
resign from the body.
Albert Won Hoffman, q philanthro-
pist, balloOnist, and the most influen-
tial man in the St. Louis Turnvereir,
left the meeting in disgust at Dr.
kuehnemann' remarks, and rendered
his resignation the following day. Sew
cral other members Of the Organiza-
ton, who were not so prominent, also
resigned from their membership.
DR.. Kuehnemann then asked per-
mission to deliver his lecture at fash
ionabIe Liederkranz. The Board of
Directors held a meeting and discuss
ed the ACCESSIBILITY of admitting the
professor 1t was finally agreed that
DR.. kuehnemann should appear before
a committee and outline his speech, to
ascertain if it would be acceptable to
the club.
When he reached the point in his
lecture where he denounced the United
States, the committee from the Licder-
kranz Club, informed him that he
could not speak in the club unless he
agreed to refrain from criticising the
United States. He agreed to do so,
and Just before he began his lecture,
he was told that his speech would be
interrupted should he not adhere to
his promise. He made his address, but
did not mention the United States in
an Objectionable manner.
While in this city, DR.. Kuehnemann
told Of an unpleasant experience he
underwent in Boston a few months
ago. He was invited to deliver his lee
ture before one of the exclusive clubs
Of that city. When he reached the
point in his address where he began
his TRADE on America, the president of
the club interrupted him. 81 think you
have talked long enough, Doctor" he
said. Lets quit and go upstairs and
have bite to eat and talk the mat
ter over"
DR.. kuehnemann protested, but quit
talking and boarded the elevator. He
went into the diningroom and there
met a committee of wealthy club men,
who quizzed him for almost an hour
when | got out" said DR.. kuehne-
mann, 81 felt like had been ILL.,"
In private conversations, DR.. kuehnc-
mann exhibits a most pronounced feel
ing against the United States. His
lecture at the Courthouse has been
criticised severely by German-Ameri-
cans, whose sympathies are with Ger
many in the war. They contend that
he should have discussed the war ex-
clusively and refrained from attacking
: poer.ica and Americans