Semi-weekly herald., 1915-03-04
AMERICANS FIRST.


The ardor with which so many Am
erican citizens of German birth, and
some of Germent descent born here,
have espoused the cause Of Germany
has had the unfortunate effect Of
placing the whole body of German
American citizens in somewhat
equivocaI position. The question has
been raised, and frankly discussed,
whether if we should ever have trou-
BILE with Germany they might not
prove to be more loyal to the father
land than to the land of their adop-
ton, and the fear has been expressed
that they might be betrayed into err
rors and excesses of zeal that would
involve deplorable consequences for
themselves
Happily, German Americans of
prominence have been led to give So
Der consideration to the question
whether their Americanism would
stand such test, and they have an
swered it in the only sensible way, in
that way that was to be expected, the
only way compatible with patriotism.
Prof Kuno Francke's letter, publish
ed in the Times the other day, declin-
ing to associate himself with certain
ill-judged demonstrations, was read
with great satisfaction. Representa-
tive Bartholdt of Missouri, in the
course of his farewell speech in the
house yesterday, denounced "the
newspaper war against Germany
Nobody will find fault with his opin-
ion of the newspapers. The main
thing, the vital point in his discourse
was his statement that Americans of
German descent "are with all others
true Americans, for America first,
last, and always"
If unfortunately the United States
ever again should be embroiled in
war, which Heaven forbid, the Ger
mans of this contry would again as
loyalty rally around the Stars and
Stripes. The Germans of this coun-
try are for America against Eng
land, for America against the world
They will never waver for one sec
ond in their allegiance to their adopt
ed land.
We note with peculiar pleasure
that Mr.. Harman Ridder of the
Staats-Zeitung repels the intimation
that the German-Americans are di-
vided in their allegiance. Having in
mind Mount Reventlow's insulting ex-
pressions of doubt upon that question
Mr.. Ridder said in an article publish
ed in the Staats-Zeitung on Wednes-
day morning:
There is not going to be any draw.
ing of the United States into the war
We are, as people, divided as to the
merits of the claims of the variou.
conflicting interests. We are, on the
other hand, people united against
foreign intimidation or interference
The man in Germany or in Englant
who thinks for moment that thu
American people-and mean by thi!
all the people in the United States
would not present a firm and unitel
front to a foreign foe is lamentably
mistaken
This assurance is worthy of al
commendation, not only because i
tends to free from doubt and misgiv
ing the minds of American citizen.
not of the German race, but because
owing to his position of Leadership
among the COMMUNICATIONS, Mr.
Riders conception of the first anC
true duty of American citizens mus
have wholesome influence upon tha
large class of our citizenship. Mr.
Ridder was born in New York. 1t il
natural that he should speak as al
American, and if any of his German
American friends have been inclined
to slight the obligation of allegiance
and to forget their sworn remuneration
of other fealty, his outspoken decla
ration will recall them to a just ant
proper notion of the obligations the,
have assumed. 1t was to be expect
ed that Mr.. Ridder would leave M
room for doubt as to his own posi-
ton, we feel sure that his words will
have weight and influence with tn,
whole body of the American citizens
New York Times.
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