The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-20

how deep liz the sympathy. amectton
and gratitude which ! and all my
countrymen cherish towards the peo-
pie OF the German Empire? Need i.
say how our hearts bleed for them In
this time of dreadful calamity. or how
much we hope and pray that peace
may SOON return to the troubled
bosom OF our Fatheriand? Why the
very texture our nation woul make us
true to Germany In oil her moral right.
becaus we have at this moment eight
million people OF German birth or
German parentage in our population,
and these citizens are among the very
best In this country. Therefore, in
peculiar sense, we hold Germany
In our heart OF hearts, for she Is bone
of our bone and flesh Of our flesh.
But In the same way we cherish the
people of all other races, except, alas.
those from Asia, and one day, In Gods
own times we shall grow big enough In
spiritual sense TO receive the chill
dren OF Asia with equal hospitality.
But we are a cosmopolits nation. and
besides having those sight million
Germans we have absorbed thirteen
millions from Great Britain, 100000
from France, 100000 from Russia.
2, 200. GEO from Austria, $4,000 from
the Balkans, and 100,00 from Bel
GUM. All told we have 100000 of
foreign birth and foreign parentage In
our 100, 00o, 900 population, 30 that our
blood and fibre comprises the whole
human family.
Neutrality Not Indifference.
Could we be lacking In sympathy
for Germany, then. in this awful war?
And could be take sides un5ustly or
from prejudice when all those who are
engaged in the terrible conflict are
our veritabie brothers In one family
of Gods children? Our excellent
President Wilson. beloved and estecni-
ed by our whole people. has charged
us all TO maintain an impartial neu-
trality. and that believe we are ear-
nestly striving 10 do: but we are, at
the same time, In like manner, ear
nestly striving to find thu rigntsand TO
condemn the wrong. because neu-
traiity can never mean. indifference.
You will remember that Dante, I'M the
Inferno. found hell beneath all
other hells prepared for those tinstd
beings who insisted on being good
and evil This war Is q hght between
those forces Of good and evil. and
believe that the American people.
having Invested themselves OF preju-
dice, are devoting themselves 70 q
study OF the evidence In order that
rubiic opinion may conform to the
facts In the course of this study
your letter ITO the Civilized World"
becomes a Substantial part OF the fes-
timony.
In your-.letser. you say that your
MES. are endeayorings to stain the
honor OF Germany in her hard strug-
gle for existence---in a struggle which
has been forced upon her"
1t gives me feeling of pity to note
the importantly with which the peo-
pie of Germany are seeking the good
opinion OF American in this strife.
1t is sxeatly to their credit that they
wish to stand right In the Judgment
of the nation. But Germany need
have no fear that American public
opinion will be prevented by the lies
and calumntes of, her enemies. We
are all going deeper than the sur
face in our search for the truth. Your
letter speaks OF Germany az being
in a struggle which has been forced
upon her.. That is the whole ques~
ton. all others are subsidiary. If
this struggle was forced upon Ger
many, then indeed she stands In a
position of mighty dignity and honor.
and the whole world should acclaim
her and succor her to the utter con-
fusion and punishment OF 1.-THE foes
who have attacked her. But IL this
outrageous war was not forced upon
her would IL not follow In the course
OF reason that her position Is without
dignity and honor, and that II 10 her
foes who should be acclaimed and
supported to the extreme limit OF
human sympathy7 ,. ..s5sss.. ss,~., ,-t @
Feeling Based ON OfAciAi Records.
I believe. dear Doctor Schaper. that
the Judgment on this paramount ques-
ton has been formed. That judy
ment ts not based. upon the lies and
calumnies pf the ensmies Of Germany,
nor upon the careless publications. con-
tanned In the newsPape but sapon
profound study or the ofYiciai corres-
pondence in the case This cores
pondence has been published and dis
seminated by the respective govern
ments concerned In the war; IL has
been reprinted in full In our lead
Ing newspap ers. and with substantial
fuiIness In our magazines, and has
been repubiished in complete PAM
phlet form In one hugo edition after
i mother by ths New Tofk Ttmea.s
and again by the American Associa-
ton tor International Cancellation;
aad tho pAblics dernhndas koy this indie-
pstabls Svfdesec h2a not NJ besn n
t1&AA although many millions &Etou3