New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-25
KOELBLE PLEDGES
GERMAN SUPPORT
"If Germany Wants War,
She Will Get It," Says
Alliance President.

"If the Germans deliberately sank
the Arabic without warning, then, in
my opinion, Germany has extended an
invitation for war to the United States
and she will probably get it. In the
event of positive proof that Germany
has thus assumed the attitude of the
aggressor, believe that German
Americans will be in the first ranks
Of volunteers for the United States"
In these words, Alphonse G. Koelble,
president Of the German-American So
ciety of New York City. and president
of the German American Alliance of
the State of New York, answered yes
terday a question that has been de-
bated frequently during the last few
days. Returning on the Scandinavian
American liner Hellig Olav, after a
six weeks visit to Germany, Mr.. Keel
Bile lost no time in making known his
opinions on the present crisis.
He is not a German-American him
self He was born in this city of Ger
man parents. He has a law Office
at 80 Maiden Lane.
"If, on the other hand. President
Wilson makes blunder in making war
upon Germany" said Mr.. Koelble last
night at his home, 140 East Ninety
second Street. that is another ques-
ton. II we feel that war is brought
on by hasty decision, by newspaper
agitation, manipulation, outside influ-
ence or some other similar cause, then,
naturally, German-Americans will not
have as much enthusiasm for the con-
fict. 1t is hard to make men fight
for a cause that they believe. down in
their hearts, to be unjust. There were
many British people who did not get
enthusiastic over the Boer war.
81 repeat, however, if the sinking of
the Arabic is Germanys method Of
telling the United States where she can
get off, then the crisis is serious. If
any German-Americans should start
to make trouble by showing their al
legiance to the fatherland, | am sure
by this country, would be the first TO
make life miserable for them"
On the question of exporting of am
views. ~ believe that America has
right to sell ammunition" he contin-
Ted. "But this right also gives rise
IN the corresponding right of Germany
to sink every bit of that ammunition
that she car. Germany has a right
to sink any British, American or other
neutral shin loaded with ammunition.
Now when you put American citizens
nm on unarmed merchantman carving
ammunition you have a different prob
lem. | believe that the liner should
be warned and the responsibility
should be upon the captain if he re-
fused TO accede to the warning.
But we have no international law
on the question Of submarine warfare.
1t seems 70 me that the United States
might yield, temporarily. the right OF
American citizens to travel on the high
seas on ships containing ammunition
until an international ruling is made.
Such a step would not hurt this coun-
try in the eyes of the world and 1t
would save a delicate situation. Ger
many must continue her submarine
warfare, and England, by use of our
flag, arming her merchantmen and Of
fering prizes for ramming submarines,
has forfeited all right of warning"
Mr.. Koelble also expressed himself
in favor of a popular referendum in
this country on the question OF war
with Germany if the established facts
on the Arabic's sinking justify such a
step. "In democracy every man from
the President down to the humblest
citizen ought to have vote on whether
he favors war;" he said.