The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-07-02
EXPIRES SSES VIEWS
Dr. Neyer-Gerhard Declares America
and Germany Do Not Under
stand Each Qther.

Berlin, June 29.-(By wireless to
! sayville.)-Dr. Anton Meyer-Gerrard,
the attache of the German colonial Of
I fee, VINO was sent from the United
/ States to Berlin by the German ambas-
sador, Count Won Bernstorff, to explain
the. views of the United States regard
ing tie Lusitania case, published an
article in Der Tag today on Germany
and America" in which he says his ex-
periences convinced him that the two
countries misunderstood each other.
at is true" said DR.. Meyer-Gerhard,
that the American press, with some
laudable exceptions, especially the
American papers, have not
succeeded in remaining neutral, but
the influence of the press upon public
, opinion is sometimes greatly over-esti-
mated. Doubtless large sections of the
American people are friendly toward
Germany, whose efficient organization
is daily winning new friends and
arousing interest in things German.
"One excellent effect of the war is
upon German Americans, who, with
ont sacrifice OF their loyalty to their
adopted country, have shown strong
remembrance of t, cir descent, their
education and their culture. Besides
them, on the other side of the ocean,
there are wide circles who sympatnize
with Germany"
Ammunition Question.
Abiding to the discussion over the
ammunition question, Mr.. Meyer-Ger-
hard said:
! Germans often mistake large am
munition orders for. filed orders. To
large extent SUCH orders are chang
ing big factories into ammunition
works. This is regrettable, but the
writer is con7inced that large parts
of the American people disapprove Of
it. A popular vote would show a con-
sidearble majority against the prac-
tice. Germans must discriminate be-
tween business and accepting orders
and the great mass Of the American
people.
! Equally there are Americans who
condemn violation of Belgian neutral
ity and the sinking of the Lusitania,
and are unable to understand tie Ger
man idea of the real condition, while
Germans are unable to understand
how Americans could travel on an
ammunition ship. Both people are
laboring under entirely different opin-
ions. Both have lived Hitherto in
peace and friendship, and should con-
tinue so to dive. There is no real
reason for antagonism existing be-
tween them =
Cites Causes.
In t-e course of his article, DR.:
Meyer-Gerhard spoke Of the causes
which he said had awakened Ger
many's former friendly feeling toward
America, citing them as what he
alluded to as the latter's inclination
towards England and munition sales
in America. Germany on the other
hand, 3e said, was reproached with
violating Belgian neutrality and de-
voting itself to militarism in order to
conquer the whole world. The deaths
of Americans on the Lusitaniah ad un-
favorably affected American sentiment
towards Germany, ne added.
Rega1 uing the question Of Belgian
neutrality and militarism, the writer
says the Germans cannot understand
the feeling aroused in America over
these questions, as t-ey know that
Belgian surrendered her own neutral
ity and that militarism is only the
German nation in arms for its own de-
fence. The American viewpoint was
different, however, and each nation
feels itself wrongly treated by the
other. The whole matter was only one
of misunderstanding, said DR.. Meyer
Gerhard, which can also arise be-
tween friends. No sensible man, he
said, will light-heartedly throw away
friendship of long years because
he cannot on one occasion make him
self completely understood. Sensible
nations, ne argued, will conduct them
selves in like manner.
Friendship between Germany and
America" declared DR.. Meyer-Gerhard