New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-30

PUBLISHES PEACE
PLEA In BERLIN
Says United States and
Germany Misunderstood
Each Other.

Berlin (by wireless to Sayville, N.
", June 29.-Dr. Anton Meyer-Ger-
hard, the attache of the German Colo
NAL Office who was sent from the
United States to Berlin by the German
Ambassador, Count Won Bernstorff, TO
explain the views Of the United States
on the Lusitania case, published an
article in "Der Tag" to-day on Scr
many and America" in which he says
his experiences convinced him that the
two countries misunderstood each
other.
Both peoples are laboring under
entirely different opinions" says DR..
Meyer-Gerhard. "Both have lived
hitherto in peace and friendship and
should continue so to live. There is
no real reason for antagonism existing
between them.
at is true that the American press,
with some laudable exceptions, espe-
cially the German-American papers,
have not succeeded in remaining neu-
trail. hut the influence Of the press upon
public opinion is sometimes greatly
overestimated. Doubtless large sec
tions of the American people are
friendly toward Germany, whose ef-
ficient organization is daily winning
new friends and arousing interest In
things German.
Praises German Americans.
"One excellent effect Of the war is
upon German-Americans. who. without
sacrifice of their loyalty to their adopt
ed country, have shown strong remem-
brance of their descent, their educa-
ton and their culture. Beside them,
on the other side of the ocean, there
are wide circles who sympathize with
Germany"
Referring to the discussion over the
ammunition question, DR.. Meyer-Ger-
hard says:
Germans often mistake large am
munition orders for filled orders. To
a large extent such orders are cnang-
ing big factories into ammunition
works. This is regrettable, but the
writer is convinced that large parts
of the American people disapprove oi
t. A popular vote would show a con-
siderable majority against the prac-
tice. Germans must discriminate be-
tween business men accepting orders
and the great mass OF the American
Equally there are Americans who
condemn violation OF Belgian neutral
ity and the sinking of the Lusitania
and are unable TO understand the Ger
man idea OF the real conditions, while
Germans are unable to understand how
Americans could travel on an ammu'
milton ship"
Causes of Estrangement.
DR.. Meyar-Gerhard speaks of the
causes which he says have weakened
Germanys former friendly feeling tow
ard America, citing the latter's "in'
clination toward England and munitior
sales in America" Germany, on the
other hand, he said, was reproached
with violating Belgian neutrality and
devoting itself 10 militarism 10 con.
ouer the whole world The deaths OF
Americans on the Lusitania had unfa'
yorably affected American sentiment
toward Germany, he added.
On Belgian neutrality and militarism
the writer sfys the Germans cannot
understand the feeling aroused In
America over these questions, as they
know that Belgium surrendered hei
own neutrality and that militarism IL
only the German nation in arms for its
own defence. The American viewpoint
was different, however, and each ma
tion feels itself wrongly treated by The
other.
The whole matter was only one oi
Misunderstanding, said DR.. Meyer-Ger'
hard. which can also arise betweer
friends. No sensible man, he said, vii
light -hes-tedly throw away friendship
OF long years because he cannot on one
occasion make himself completely un
derstood. Sensible nations. he argued
will conduct themselves in like man
ner.
Friendship Is Valuable.
Friendship between Germany ant
America declared Or. Meyer-Ger
hard, "is a valuable possession for boil
nations, and IL is worth while to TAX
care il be saved to both"
The "Lokal Anzeiger," which ais,
printed the article, commenting edi
torislly, said:
"The foregoing instructive and cheer
ing remarks by DR.. Meyer Gerhar,
show that the imperial government i
on the right road with its treatment o
questions existing between US and IN
United States. IL is 10 be wished ais
that those circles which hereto for
have been inclined to make light of ou
differences with America as being ut
terly unimportant will let 1iemselv.
Continued on page Q, column g