The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-03-04
THEIR DUTIES AS
AMERICAN CITIZENS
From the Literary pigest

It is ~undeniable that grave misgivings
were heard In many quarters when the
call went out some weeks q for our
German-American population to ''organ-
ize" as a unit for some action not then
clearly defined. These misgivings have
increased rather than diminished. II we
may Judge by press comment, since the
movement then f~oreshadowed has taken
definite shape and frankly announced its
platform.
Although the nationwide organisation
launched In Washington on January 30 by
IS representative German-Americans de-
clares Its chief aim TO be the re-estab-
tshment OF genuine American neutral
ity," its critics do not hesitate to de-
nounce II as an attempt to coerce the
United States government into taking an
active pro-German stand.
That these objections to the program
OF the Washington conference are not
prompted entirely by sympathy with the
allies may be Inferred from the striking
protest registered by DR.. Kuno Francke.
and n OF the most Incorporating
champions Of Germany's cause In this
country. In a letter to Representative
Richard BarthoIdt, declining to take part
claring his sympathies IN this way, who'll
iy and fervently On the German side"
goes on 10 say.
But my German sympathies cannot
make me forget what seem to me my
duties as an American citizen.
81 believe It would be against my duties
part "a en in A% a props SIslnda the " purpose 20 s"e 81
government into q Rostiie altitude toward
England. Your circular letter speaks Of
calls for a New Declaration of Indepen-
dence,' which Is to eliminate all undue
English influences from our American
tfe!' And Il protests against the cSnt an :
the side Of England .
81 do not wish to emphasize the fact
arms ana munitions OF war would be an
altogether illusory thing. Arms and other
implements OF war would, If our govern
ment established an embargo on them, be
shipped from this country to Havana, or
TO Vigo, or to some other neutral port and
would reach their destination from there
without any hindrance. What / do wish
such an embargo would inevitably bring
our government into conflict with Eng
land and might drive US into war with
England. AS a man OF German blood ]
might welcome the help which would ac'
crue to Germany by such a conflict be-
tween the United States and England!
But as an American citizen I cannot pos
Bibly support a policy which would bring
the terrors of war to our own country.
what I feel bound to support, as an
American citizen. Is a policy which holds
itself strictly within the now accepted
rules of neutrality, although, to my regret.
this policy. through circumstances over
which the United States has no control,
practically turns out to the advantage of
england n to the detriment Of Ger
many"
DIR. Francke's letter closes with the
| following earnest plea:
1--WE rave every opportunity in this coun-
try to make felt what Is best in German
character and life. Let US continue to do
so; let us continue to have political. CIV
Ic and Industrial progress; let us stand
for the German ideals of honesty. loyalty,
truthfulness, devotion to work; let us cul-
tivate our language, our literature, and
our art; let us fearlessly defend the cause
OF our mother country against prejudices
and aspersions. But let us refrain from
political organizations which would set
Germans in this country apart as a class
by themselves.
such an attempt would lead not to the
raising, but TO the degradation OF the
| German naIne IN this country. 1t would
foster hatred instead of sympathy; and
only by gaining the sympathy OF the ma
jority of the American people can we
German-Americans help the cause Of our
mother country.