The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-16
.GERMAN-AMER|CAh
PRESS COMMENT
IS SAD, BUT LOYAL
with Few Exceptions Editors Of Ger
man Extraction Declare In Whole
Souled Manner For Stars and
Stripes.

Souled Manner For Stars and
Stripes.
with q few exceptions the German
press comment on President Wilson's
note. while expressing deep sorrow
over the situation. breathes q spirit of
loyalty to America above all other con-
siderations.
The duty Of the press of the whole
country to do all In its power to avert
war Is stressed.
But One Flag.
New York Stats Zeitung: Nor Is
this a time to burden millions of the
American people with unjust and un-
necessary anguish of mind. The Ger
man-American must suffer In any con-
fiict between the United States and
Germany pains of which their fellow
citizens can never know anything. 1t is
rather a time for showing them the
greatest degree Of consideration. They
have fought to uphold the flag in the
past and they will do SO again. against
any enemy whatsoever. They deserve
the fruits of past loyalty, until they
have forfeited the right to claim them.
There has never been but one flag
under which the German-American
has fought. There never can be but
one nag under which he will ever fight.
And that nag is the Stars and Stripes"
No Question Of Loyalty.
Indianapolis Ind.) German Tele-
graph Tribune: I'VE believe II impos-
sibie for the German Government TO
comply with the Presidents extrav-
agant demand, which AMOUNTS TO Ger
man disarmament on the seas. All
that will be required to safeguard
British armed merchantmen carrying
contraband will be 70 put passengers,
preferably Americans. on board and
they will be immune from attack by
German submarines. It is q palpable
! injustice Of President wilson 70 de-
mand that Germany should lay aside
its most effective weapon of attack"
Cleveland tOhio) )waechter und An
zeiger: Everything, of course, depends
on what the real goal our Government
is driving at. II so disposed. 4 polite
answer defining the German viewpoint
could certainly be accepted the same al
was England's denying answer to the
| American note protesting the rights OF
neutral commerce. This would be the
wisest and best But we cannot claim
that some OF the notes sentences. es.
pecially thosetoward the end. encour-
age such hopes"
st. Louis MOI Die westIiche Post:
For the press of the whole country
there Is at present but one sacred duty
to leave nothing undone to avert In
ner strife. That we Americans of Ger
man descent with a bleeding heart con.
template the possibility of an armed
conflict between the United States and
the land of our forefathers no fair
minded person will condemn us for.
There is still hope for an honorable
! understanding on both sides. May
Providence grant that the worst be
averted!"
Chicago (Iil.> Abendpost: THE con-
ditions which the message demands OF
Germany and the ground upon which
these demands are stated show clearly
and convincingly that the United States
officials stand wholly and completely
on the side of England and her allies
That which has been asserted fol
months that the great republic has
been an ally Of England In the spirit II
not in the main-seems now to be clear
ly demonstrated"
St. Paul fMinn) volkseitung: The
stand taken by the President serves
notice on our own so-calief Leaders
and the irresponsible lingo perss thai
this country will not go to war without
full justification W are glad to SEE
the President take such a strong stand
for upholding the rights of American
citizens; we sincerely trust he will de.
mand hereafter that all countries viii
respect our right to the sacred free
dom of the seas"
After criticizing EngIand's attitude
and expressing n hope that she will %