Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1915-01-02

sun, against American-Cer-
man members Of Congress, Mr..
Barthcldt on the floor of the
House OF Representatives clear
ly defined the status Of tho
Americana German. His remarks
were indorsed by his colleagues,
Mr.. Lobeck of Nebraska and
Mr.. Vollmer of Iowa, who spoke
Immediately after Mr. Bartholdt.
The address was warmly re-
ceived and we take pleasure in
publishing it herewith.
Mr.. Speaker, during my long SER
vice in this House / have heard read
from the Clerks desk many an ac-
cusation against Members OF this
body, but none more serious than the
one just reported The gentleman
from Iowa (Mr. Vollmer) the gentle
man from Nebraska (Mr. Lobeck),
and myself are practically charged
with high treason against the Gov
ernment of the United States by the
unequivocal assertion that I'VE are
acting as agents of the German
Government in Congress" My col
leagues viii no doubt speak for them
selves, though we all could probably
well afford to leave the whole mat
ter, without saying another word, to
the Judgment Of the House and the
country considering the fact that the
charge emanates from the New York
spokesman OF a foreign belligerent
Government which, according to re-
ports, would be at it's ropes end but
for the contraband supplies it re-
ceives from the United States Ger
tainly ! shall not distinguish the
libel with an affirmation OF loyalty
to my country in a body of which
/ have had the honor OF being a
Member for % years and which
knows my record, no matter how
humble, to be an open book. 1t is
true l am an American citizen of
German birth, but this means, if do
not differ from all other American
Germans, that / am man who is
loyal to tho Stars and Stripes and
who is for America against England,
for America against Germany, for
America against the world. Indeed
If the Star-Spangled Banner is not
my flag, then / have no flag. But
true to my bride l shall not be faith
less to my mother, and you would
have q right to despise me if we're
Therefore. as the United States is not
an English dependency, / can recon-
cile Il with my Americanism to give
my sympathy to the Fatherland just
as we'll as so many newspaper editors
evidently reconcile their American
ism with the open espousal Of the
cause of the allies. But this sym
pathy has no more to do with the
Government Of Germany than with
the Government of Siam. In my ca
pacity as Representative l have
never yet given utterance to an un-
neutral word, nor have / done an un-
neutral act.
When lies were published or mis-
statements were made l have, with
tho lights l had, endeavored to cor
rect them, for as between truth and
falsehood / cannot be neutral, nor
can you. What ! have done in the
present instance referring to the in
PRODUCTION of resolution to stop the
sale of war materials to the bellige--
ent nations of Europe, / have done
with my full responsibility as a Mem
Der of the American Congress, not at
the behest of the German or any
other ambassador, but in response to
n growing public sentiment as ex-
pressed in q number OF mass meet
ings of good and loyal American citi-
zens, some Of which have attended.
And let me say, incidentally, that l
have not seen the German ambassa-
dor for nearly q year except for a
few minutes at an accidental meeting
when I took breakfast at ono Of the
local hotels. nor have l heard from
him either directly or indirectly, in
writing or otherwise Knowing him
to be one of the best informed and
most high-minded diplomats, should
have greatly enjoyed his company,
but ! carefully avoided it just be-
cause l wished to guard against such
infamous misrepresentation as are
now made by enemies Of his country,
and to me as a Representative the
German ambassador was and is no
moro than the diplomatic ENJOYS Of
Russia, of France, or Of England. AS
to Dr. Dernburg, / have not the
pleasure of knowing him except by
reputation.
So much for the personal side Of
the matter. But there is a more
serious side, a graver accusation, in
volving an insult, not only to the
millions of Germans who have ac-
quired citizenship in this country,
but also to the German Government.
/ refer to the assertion that there
was law on the statute books Of
Germany which makes it possible for
a man to become naturalzed in the
United States and yet to retain his
German citizenship, an assertion
coupled with tho insinuation, almost
incredible in its mendacity. that the
Germans arc taking advantage OF
this situation, and when taking the
oath of allegiance do not do it in
good faith.
The facts are simply these: Ger
many like every other country. has
q law which makes it possible for
those who are away from the father
land to retain their citizenship by re-
porting within ten years to a German
consul, but when so reporting they
must make oath that the have not
acquired or taken steps to acquire
citizenship in any other country The
period within which they must re-
gister used to be only two years, but