The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-04
POSITION OF A NEUTRAL.
His Sympathics with the Germans ms
"the Noblest People In the War"

To THE EuiTon OF THE SrN-Sir. This
being the first time that | have ever
written an open letter to any newspaper
wish to make ii understood that
have been driven to do so, not from
any disbelief that THE SUNS editorial
opinions could he other than sincere. but
because | wish TO ask THE SuN certain
questions concerning It's attitude az ex-
pressed nv the article headed III Not
Murder, What Il It?'
state frankly that although ! am
intensely pro-German in my sympathies
| have always tried TO be as neutral in
my arguments ctncerning the war as
the Presidents attitude demands.
My ancestors settled in this country
long before the Revolutionary war. To
my knowledge have no friends In any
of the warning nations. ] have read all
obtainable articles defending each side !;
and through them all my sympathy for
German ideals and principles known
under the often ridicued name OF "Kul-
tur" has steadily increased until now
! feel called upon to place before THE
SrS the following questions and state
mcnts.
l. Belgian neutrality Is an open ques-
ton. II Is affirmed and denied that, We
must leave to historians
. We have II on the word Of well
KNOWN American WrltprS VINO nave ira
yelled through Belgium that certain
parts of certain cities were destroyed
because Of the actions Of civilians In fir
ing on troops. one Of these writer's in
particular. whose word cannot be
doubted. states that German officers " re-
absolutely just In the dealing out of
such punishment. - much for LouVain.
g. Absolutely neutral Americans are
as willing to take the official German
reason for the hombardment % the
Rheims cathedral as to credit the re-
ports OF the French II is tower vas
used a. place from which 70 direct
gun rrc. its destruction was no. only
/ iustiha5le. but. from the German stand
point. necessary.
l. II the English towns were undc-
Tended T. was a mistake to lombard
them However. some English writers
defend the bombstdmcnt it Mt least is
no worse than the actions OF few av!a-
tors Of the allied forces.
I >. And a. for murder" Ther, have
>en reports persistently cropping out 10
/ the effect that Brit sh sailors who fired
I upon the sailors OF the Dresden who had
taken to the boats committed that Of
| fence These reports have discrcdited
/ because | did not know Could not THE
| SrN have been as charitable can II
prove that tho destruct ion was unn"ces-
sary' Can il prove the destroyed ship
did not use their wireless for help even
while the boats were being lowered
There arc huudr.d as OF Americans
more neutral than |. who are withhold
lug their opinions until they can speak
/ as one having authority IL would 5e
/ well 10. the attitude OF the nation IL
I editors would follow their example and
| not rush their !d. az mad,y into print
before they have heard both sides OF
each question.
In the name OF Justice and many
/ Americans whose sympa MES are no;
/ with any particular army. but. ike mine
| with what they consider TO he the
/ uoblest people engaged In this " ?. NIL
/ YOU publish these statements as soon as
posi- ole? HOWARD FREEMAN ScHoFPr.
NEW York. April 3