davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
NEUTRALITY AND CANT
A Protest Against Excessive Tolcra-
ton of Prussian lnsolence.
t. tho Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: VIII the administration, in face OF
the Wholesale murder Of innocent Americans
on the Lusitania. any longer insist upon neu-
trality? The word to-day so nbhorrent to
every rlght-minded and selfrespecting Amer
ican-was indeed ridiculous from the earli-
est days OF this war, when the German
hordes rushed through neutral Belgium, kill
ing non-combatants and perpetrating crimes
on women and children which would make
Nero blush and send any individual In any
law abiding country TO the electric chair or
tho Fallows.
And from these days on to now tho Ger
mans have punctuated their "holy war with
acts OF barbaric fury, and we have remained
neutral, while they-including the so-calIed
Ccrman-American citizens OF our own coun-
try-have laughed us to scorn. They have
talked 10 US as if we we're a nation of "dubs"
and have lied to US as if to nation Of half
witted children-and this through their Off
cial spokesmen.
But from now on, from this fateful time,
let every American wipe the word neutrality
off his slate-expunge it from his vocabulary
until Germany is punished to the last word
in punishment. As individuals-if we cannot
as a naton-let US denounce every single
sympathizcr with this German nation OF muir
derers with whom come in contact II we
hear from any Of them such banal EXPIRES
gions as "Thcv were warned" or "They had
no business to 60 on the Lustania," let US tell
such persons, ignorant Of the first laws Of
international warfare, in no mild terms that
they belong to a nation Of outlaws (the first
and last. God willing; that they have that
most loathsome disease known as German
Kultur and that the one thing for them to
do IS to go and quarantine themselves.
And as for the Riders, the Dernburgs, the
BernstorTs, there is no American club, no
American hotel, no patriotic American table
that is not too patriotic and decent for them
They are the kind of people we DO not want
in this country of ours. Cold shoulders
should be turned on them and on their ridicu-
lous apologies. which an insult to Ameri-
can intelligence.
The man mentioned in your paper of May
s. who threw up his hat with "A whoop and
"Glad Of it," when he heard Of the fate Of
the Lusitania and who was Immediately
kicked and pummeled by the crowd and final
~ carried off TO the police station by a po-
lceman. was subjected TO just the right sort
Of treatment for that sort of creature. There
is one thing we can do while the administra-
ton is waiting. We can, as individuals, put
down any sort of demonstration instead Of
supinely sitting still and letting the Germans
talk
There can no longer be neutrality in the
face Of this last murderous frenzy Of the
Germans, plotted both in Germany and here
in our own America by Germans, and there
should be no sparng of the (so-called) feel
ings Of the impairment Germans who try in
any way to excuse the murder OF our country
men and countrywomen. {. {. MASE.
Cos Cob, Conn, May 8, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Lessons in Heroism-

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Three years after the sinking OF the
Titanic comes word from the sea that once
again have our men proved their mettle'
Spirit has dominated protoplasm and risen
to heights Of self-abnegation which make US
all pause with wet eyes and bowed heads
Civilization is no failure when strong men
can face dissolution and put into effect the
law of the sea: "Women and children first"
Whatever may have been their earthly err
rors, the men who went down with the Lusi-
tania will be an inspiration to the world for
ever. All of Us who recognize our own feet
of CLAW find in them an inspiration to greater
struggles. If men may face death with such
high courage that all the world honors them,
may the race not some day come to higher
plane on which the self-abnegation attained
by these men for little while may be the
rortion Of US all as we face life as well as
death?
In the simple and natural action of Alfred
c. Vanderbilt in removing his life preserver
and giving it 20 a woman there is eptomlzed
the spiritual heights which we might attain
in life as well as in death. Who shall say
that some day the race will not reach this
hard won goal? MARJORIE DORMAN.
New York, May 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
War Prevention Commission.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The unsettled ethnic, ecclesiastical,
economic and other questions underlying
thought and action Of European peoples are
the primary cause of the war; which is the
continuing sorrow of 1915. To remove the
cause of the war is the logical and best way
Of preventing war. 1t is at least beginning
at the beginning, and illustrates the old say
ing that an ounce of prevention is better
than a pound Of cure.
A commission mot too large) Of learned,
honorable and efficient persons. appointed by
the Hague Tribunal, should visit each coun-
try in Europe and ascertain by careful and
impartial investigation the nature and cur
ableness of such of its unsettled questions
as have connection with its relations with
other nations or peoples Report should be
made in each case to the Hague Tribunal Of
the conclusions and recommendations OF the
commission. This work, when faithfully
done. would materially facilitate the estab-
lishment of an abiding peace in Europe.
Z. T.
Oakland, Cal, May 6, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Beware German Trickery.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In reply to the wild attempts TO
fasten the blame for the Lusitana disaster
upon those who neglected to heed Germany's
warning" may inquire why the word of Ger
many upon any subject whatever should be
regarded to-day? Where has she been true
From the accession Of the present Kaiser
to go no further back-her national policy
has been vast world-spyng. with a view
to taking advantage Of any weakness, real
or fancied, that might be disclosed. The re-
voting details Of this policy need no further
xploitation-though a perusal of Bismarck S
memoirs" might well be recommended to
those desiring to go further back into Ger
man diplomacy"
The trickery which il behooves this coun-
try TO detect and Offset is that which has
South America as its object. May suggest
the perusal of R. Tannenberg's Larger Ger
many" Leipzig, 1911; Wilhelm Sievers, Uni
versity of Giessen. South America and Ger
man Interests; Reimer, Joseph Ludwig, A
Pan-German Germany; All. Funke's col
onization Of Eastern South America. with a
View Of German Interests" and Pure Ger
manism," by Friedrich LANCE, etc.
Awaken, o United States Of America
New York, May 10, 1915. A. J. F.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
legislative Traitors.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: "a few years ago our fleet was the
second Of the world. in some respects twice
a. strong as Germanys. To-day we see IL
deficient in divers respects, wanting In Of
fcers and men, wanting in vessels OF al
classes. wanting in many things essential to
the making of such a navy as this country
needs"
So reads the first editorial Of to-day 5
Tribune. This is the crime Of crimes. Inc
nersons responsible for this state OF AFFAIRS
are traitors to American interests. Benedict
Arnold was less Of traitor, for his treach-
cry was abortive The Congressman and SEN
ators who refused the appropriations LOT
efficient upkeep of the navy should be driven
from political life. Their names should De
prominently posted by every patriotic news
papcr. Every real American Will scr'tc"
them on Election Day.
Bcrcdict Arnold sold this country IN time
Of war. These legislators sold 1t in time OF
noace. Arnold had the excuse OF passion
These legislators were simply apatnetlc'
Their patriotism was subservient to their
sectional selfshness. They pandered to the
interests Of the pork barrel; the common
GOOD they ignored. This should not be ior-
civeu them while American patriotism en-
dures. They put party above country, ana
the country in its hour of shame should re
member it of them. No administration that
neplects the navy should be continued IN Of
Too ]. S. L.
proolIvn Nav 10 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: President Wilson established in deal
ing with the Mexican situation a precedent
which should make easy his handling Of the
German situation. Taking the stand that it
was impossible for the United States to have
diplomatic relations with President Huerta
because, in President Wilson's estimation,
Huerta was responsible for the death OF Ma
dero and therefore murderer, ne did not
hesitate to send punitive expedition to
Vera Cruz in an effort to secure an apology
for an attack on United States sailors by a
petty officer of Huertas government.
The President did not declare war on Mex
leo nor automatically recognize the exist
ence Of the Huerta government, although 1t
was never proved that Huerta was response
BILE for Madero's death. Furthermore, Huerta
did disavow responsibility for the offence
against the United States sailors and pun
ished the offending officer.
In the case of Germany the murder OF I'M
offending women and children on the high
seas is acknowledged by the German govern
ment with the implication that the crime
will be repeated az any time Germany sees
tit 10 repeat II.
Deliberately and with generalization, Ger
many has placed herself in the ripper
class and should receive such treatment as
would be meted out to any murderous GRIM
inal b. S. CIRCUIT.
kaw York Nav IL l8l6
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Insults.


To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: How much longer must we suffer the
insults Of the Bernstorffs, Dernburgs, Rid
ders and all their crowd Of spellbnders
Their effusions are an insult to American
intelligence, and when we have that sort Of
stuff thrown at US at every possible oppor-
tunity, in addition to the open insults to our
government, and when we know of the secret
plottings of these people in behalf Of Ger
many. it seems as II we had allowed our
neutrality to become nothing but a cloak for
German plotters. II the Germans in this
country are so disloyal to America that they
will listen to the Dernburg and Bernstorit
stuff and to the appeals in such sheets as the
New Yorker Herold" they had better be
asked to leave the country Americas free
dom is no place for traitors or anarchists.
Since the awful crime of Friday last,
gloated over by Berlin and approved of by
these hyphenated Americans, the name Of
Germany is abhorred by every one who has
the least claim to civilization, Christianity
and manhood A hundred years of decent
history cannot wipe off the barbaric stain Of
Friday. If this Is what Germans stand for,
America is no place for them, and public
opinion should make this fact unmistakable.
FRANKLIN COWDREY.
New York, May 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
A German Blames Prussia.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The deliberate torpedong of the Lusi-
tania by a Prussian submarine WILL | trust,
bring home once and for all to the real
American people the plain fact that the royal
Prussian military oligarchy, dominated and
directed by the Hohenzollern. Won Tirpitz
Won Room, Moltke, Won der Goltz, and what is
known as their black Prussan policy, has
completely set at naught all established
usages of civilized warfare. This has dragged
into the mre the escutcheons of Saxony,
Bavaria, Swabia and Wurtemberg, to the
eternal disgust of many American citizens of
German descent like myself Some of Us wish
to express hereby through the medium of
your just columns our indignation and abhor-
renee of this damnable deed which has been
foisted by these Prussian vipers upon the
fair name of old Germany.
May the ultimate just retribution for these
murders be visited where it rightfully be-
longs. upon the Prussian, the Brandenburger
and the Brunswcker.
This from a granddaughter Of the men Of
"48." MINI DANKWORT.
Brooklyn, May 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Why Not Seize Her Ships'

To the Editor Of The Tribune. j..
Sir: Numerous references have been ma''
to the great value OF German shipping uea W
in our ports; and it has been suggested ga.
It's presence here might be some de'erfe"'
10 German aggression where our rights "s's
involved. No such considerations can nS's
occurred TO the Germans, however, IN We
Of their several violations Of our risnts, 80 ~
then, would il not be a practical sho W
proper step for our government 20 tSAe "a
porary" possession Of all such properly, ', "
be held as an indemnity fund; and to reqS'. :,
that all indemnities should be assessed =
three times the combined damages sus'4i ',,Sl
as is the rule OF damages in case o. W. :,
torts in law? For the wrongs COMMITS
Germany can hardly have been o'her ",
wilful FRANCIS DIAN
New York, May 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Fair Warning Of Murder.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Having heard some remarks made ii
an attempt to excuse the recent act of van
dalism on the part of Germany in sinking the
steamer Lusitania with the loss of a thou
sand-odd lives, including more than fifty
American citizens, am prompted 10 make
the following observation. in the hope that
some of those who are trying TO excuse this
murderous act may the point:
The German Embassy recently sent out 6
warning in the form Of an advertisement, the
sense of which was that any vessel flying the
British flag found by them within the wal
zone would be destroyed at once
On this warning they base their right anC
try to excuse their act OF deliberately muir
dering 1000 people, including many Ameri
cans.
Jack the Ripper" sent a warning TO III,
Murray family that he intended TO do muir
der. Shortly after this their child was muir
Gered. Therefore, based on the German way
OF reasoning, Jack the Ripper" had right
10 murder this child because he had pre-
viously sent out warning.
C. R. GEORGE.
brooklyn. May 8. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Germany's Predlcament.
Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: As an American, as sincerely "a,
British-Americsn as am no. German.
American, wish 20 inquire VIVA. you would
have Germany do about the shlpmea. a
arms from this country to her enemies.
You cay that England Is entitled 70 n,
advantage Of obtaining arms and ammuri.
ton from us by virtue % her control o. ,bs
seas. Germany has developed a submarine
feet to comba: this sea supremacy; she Ia,
warned all nations that the submarine ear.
not give notice before striking, that Tia
capture Of ship is impossible. and tha,
therefore when she is sure tina. ship car.
ries contraband she must and will striks
She has repeatedly warned non-bellgeren,,
against the danger Of travelling In the con.
traband laden ships Of the Allies Could SIZE
have done more?
Do you wish to deprive Germany Of mi.
newly developed defence because non-bell!s.
erents insist on travelling IN marked ship.1
Is it right-asde from all the laws which
we're made before the submarine became a
factor-to permit and insist that our people
may De uSeQ as Snleld 70 project trade
in war materials against a submarine a..
tack? Can you assert that Americans had
any right TO disregard friendly warning
from Germany and sail on the ill-fated, con.
traband-laden Lusitania, when American
Dutch and Scandinavian liners sail regularly
and without danger? The warning, first Of
February Il, and then OF the day before sail
ing, was certainly explicit enough and the
newspaper comments made it 20 prominen,
that none could have failed 20 have seen it.
My dear sir, you are dealing with people
who are battling against nations which have
attempted to starve their non-combatants In
defiance Of all law; who have been exasper-
ated by seeing victory snatched from them
by American arms and ammunition, who
have in their hands weapon which will
stop. or greatly hinder, this trade in contra
band. What would you have them do,
What would the United States DO in SIM
liar case? WILLIAM B. KERR.
East Orange, ". j., May 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
German Americans.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: | notice a letter in The Tribune Of
May 10 in which the writer w. G. w re
iterates the statement many times made dur
ing the last six months that there are twenty
million Germans in the United States. This
falacy was thoroughly exploded in The Trb-
une Of February 10. II was there shown by
the last United States Census that there were
but 2,50l 1888 persons OF German birth in all
Of the United States in 1910 and there is a
smaller number now, including men, women
and children. That means about 100000
males Of voting age, all told, or about half
OF per cent of the total popuation-a num-
Der relatively so small that they may and
should be practically ignored in all matters
Of public policy.
Probably of this 100000 in the whole
United States not more than $4,000 are natu-
rallied or claim TO be OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
and will venture to say that OF this number
not one-half are in sympathy with the Kaiser's
desperate piratical policy of murder of inno-
cent non -combatants and neutrals on the high
seas.
They look upon the cry by the German gov
axpmaut Of thu "stArving Of German wARsn
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Boycott Germany

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: There are other ways than a dec
laration of war of answering German atroci-
ties. One way would be a general boycott
Of Germany. declared not by the govern
ment but By the American people. Amer-
can manufacturers and merchants should en-
deavor to import their goods from any eOun-
try but Germany. American women should
absolutely refuse TO buy goods that bear
the "Made in Germany label. Best Of all,
when the war is over, American tourists
should avoid Germany. They should carry
American money to ravaged France ard Bel
GUM and to famjshed little Switzerland, and
should steer clear OF German "Kultur"
Incidentally, social boycott Of those Ger
man-American citizens who are as un-Aneri-
can and as pro-German as it is possible 10
be might also be advisable. American men
and women might do well TO abandon al!
social intercourse with men of the Dernburg.
Ridder-Vereck type, who justify and glorify
every crime that is committed in the name
Of their Kaiser.
AN AMERICAN WOMAN OF GERMAN De-
SCENT.
New York, May II, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
Traitors.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Mr. Lawton Mackall. whose letter you
caption "Hyphenated Traitors" expresses my
sentiments, and | thank you and him for
making them public. An American citizen
whether he be of German birth or extrac-
ton or owes his existence 10 a Slavonic ances-
tor, is q traitor to his country if he supports
by word, pen or action the horrible deed
perpetrated by the Germans when they tor
pedoed the Lusitania.
/ told a collection OF hyphenated brutes
who by the mildness of our laws are per
mitted to exude their horrible sentiments OPP
posite the Tribune Building, that they should
be shot as traitors TO country that has
given them what they never could have OBJ
tanned in the country from which they came
II was only by good luck and the exercise OF
strong muscles that | escaped an infiction OF
their peculiar brand Of Kultur.
Any soldier naturally despises the duty as
signed to the firing squad when a traitor OF
spy is put TO death, but would esteem il al
honor to be chosen as one Of a file Of soldier:
TO perform this duty on the persons OF
hyphenated traitors. | would especially re
quest the sergeant 10 see that my gun was
loaded with something more effective than
blank cartridges. Why do we tolerate these
Infamous rascals in our midst? This Is nc
country for savages. We had enough OF
them when we dealt with the primeval Ind
ian. who, by the way. was far more honor
able than the Hohenzolerns.
A. d. FAlRBAIRN.
The Bronx, May 10, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14

mont officially notified It's citizens that they
had n right TO sail upon this ship. 1t Of
fcially notified Germany it would hold tha'
nation strictly accountable" for any marin
that might bcfall Americans citizens on such
ships through her.
Tho German Embassy signed warning al
vortisomcrts that Americans would sail on
the Lusitania al their own peril
Arc we 20 take orders from the Kaiser
Government. or shall Americans be governed
by America? There can be but one answer
and tho country looks confidently 10 Presi-
dent Wilson to state it clearly and in unmis-
.at.tIo terms W. +. ii.
bridgeport, Conn, May II. 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
From a Sometime Neutral.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Warl It's bound to come in the end
and we may as well strike first instead of
being struck. Until to-day l have favored
moderation and neutrality and | thought
with regret of our possible participation in
the European war. But after what has hap
pencd to the Lusitania I'm for war. | am one
inhabitant of the United States who has not
been for war with Germany and who now is
for that war. There are many others who
have likewise changed, and the Lusitania in
cident changed them. You cannot be neutral
or moderate or n-participant when a mad
man escapes from an asylum and runs amuck
with sticks of dynamite Germany is such a
mailman. II is a nation gone wholly insane,
and every other nation stands in peril until
Germany is rendered powerless A govern
ment that will deliberately torpedo a steam
ship carrying 1000 innocent persons no
longer deserves the name Of government and
to continue neutral in the face Of such assas-
sination will be cowardly and fatal to US. Our
own government at Washington has been
placidly accepting outrages and insults. II
may continue TO do so, but our present gov
eminent will surely change soon. 1t is time
10 stamp Germany under heel, and | want to
20 on record now as favoring a declaration
of war Then let us manufacture from our
100 OOO0 900 an army and build navy. In a
year we can possess at least a fighting force
of considerable power, and going to
need that fighting force as surely as to-mor-
rows sun shall rise.
FREDERICK r. GRANT.
New York, May 7, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
A Bloodless Method.
tor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Germany must be punished, but why by
the sacrifice through war of more American
lives? Instead of sending Americans to be
killed, leaving American families destitute
ike those Of Belgium and France, we should
as an alternative, send every German out OF
our country. Strong measures, at first glance
but only because novel, because we have
through long habit followed mediaval ideas
and sent our men to death to settle a dis
pute. Let us choose the bloodless method OF
turning out the people of this barbarous
nation Let German families take their
chances on the high seas. Let us show her
what we can do, and by no deeds Of piracy.
Could we not force Germany, threatened with
this, to civilization?
Can we doubt that in preparation for war
the United States is, like Belgium and
France, honeycombed with German spies
maps, plans, supplies, concrete bases for great
guns under innocent tennis courts, and the
like? Let no one think Germany has for
gotten 10 make ready in our country.
Let every woman of US decide whether q
German friend or neiehbor shall leave the
country. or her own husband and son go TO
be killed. Let every Germen-American be
made to say on which side he stands; this
would be d good thing to know before q
war.
In answer to Herr Viereck. I would say,
perhaps the reason that Americans were
warned from the Mexican and not from the
British war zone was that we thought then
that the Germans were more civilized than
the Mexicans. L. u. r.
Newark n J.