New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-16
GERMANS HERE
PLEDGE LOYALTY
TO ADOPTED LAND
Don't Want to Fight, but it
Needed Will Join
u. s. Forces.
FEW BELIEVE WAR
WILL BE DECLARED
Only Among Shiftless Elements
Is Claim of Fathcrland
Pronounced.


What viii the millions Of Germans,
naturaillcd and unnaturalIzed, do n
war should he declared between this
country and cGrmany A canvass OF
local Germans and German Americans
made ~ The Tribune indicates that:
The general sentiment Of Unnatur-
allied Germans and Of German-Ameri-
cans in this city shrinks from con-
temptation Of the possibility Of war
with Germany
Unmarried Germans who are not
naturalized. and who have not alb
sorbed the general features Of Amerl-
csnism are the only recruits which the
Kaiser might find in this country
should war break out
Married Germans. as q whole. while
LOYAL 20 their mothcrland. have reached
a stage where their Loyalty TO their
families and the loyalty to the new
country in which they have made their
homes make decision difficult mat
ter They don't want 20 fight, but II
j. comes to the worst the land where
they and their families have found a
hearth can count on them.
L. $. Now Their Country.
Among German Americans in gen
cral there can be no doubt Of their
choice II war should make 1t necessary
for them to choose between the land
Of their fathers and the land of their
choice The call Of the adopted coun-
try is the stronger. beyond a doubt.
Many Of them uphold in a measure the
German cause But. according TO their
testimony. America could count upon
them m the hour Of need
ITO question German-Amcrican's
loyalty TO the country Of his birth is
10 impcach his manhood said local
attorney Of German parentage, well
known in local German circles. There
l. but one patriotism, and that is the
love Of ones country, which every man
ought TO be willing TO serve 10 the last.
Both my parents We're born in Ger
many. but even they, much though
they love their old home across the
seas. would not want me 70 be traitor
70 my native land.
But the question Of war with Ger
many is so far-fotched that il ought
never 20 he viewed in the light Of real
ity. We Will avoid war by the force
Of our moral strength
A bartender. thirty-one years old.
who has been employed in one of the
large German "bierstuben" since he
came to this country six years ago,
holds these sentiments:
81 love Germany because was
brought up there and spent some of
the hoppicst years Of my life in its at
mosphore. ! have been soldier and
know all about what you call here mill
tarism.' call il social narrowmind-
cdncss too much class distinction.
That's why ] came 10 America | found
mere what ! couldn't get in Germany.
Here ] have a chance TO die rich. while
in Germany ] would never have risen
above the 'proletarier' class. I've
taken out my first paper. As soon as
! can ! shall take out my final citizen
ship paper
A German butcher, married, father
OF two children. four years in this
country. unnaturalizcd. said:
"God forbid that we should have
war with Germany. | wouldn't want TO
see il. ] had a good business in Ger
many. enjoyed life in a German way
and was fairly content My brother
migrated to America. kept on telling
me about this wonderful country and
made me long for its possibilities until
| couldn't resist the temptation to-
come. Why should ! want TO fight?
And as long as nobody tries TO invade
our country, whom should we fight"
He and Germany Quits.
If Germany would become involved
in war with the United States, it would
be because Germany is wrong" said a
Young German bOOkkeeper. over here
two years This country doesn't want
war, although the sentiment Of its peO-
pie may be against the German cause.
I am not naturalizcd. but | am going
TO be as soon as ! can. II war should
break out. which is not probable, Id
enlist IN the Rough Riders and use some
of the tactics ] learned during three
years service in the German army.
have 10 ties IN Germany. Germany has
no claim on me. We're quits and this
country is my home now"
There was a time when ! would
have been anxious to fight and die for
Germany, az millions Of men are doing
now over there" the German manager
Of local hotel coafdcd. But those
days arc ove;. ! have seen too much
Of America would sacrifice every
thing If this country called. II is my
home; IT has been good to me when
needed help. When it needs me /
shall respond"
Among tho shiftlcss elements Ger
many has apparently her most ardent
supporters Of militant tendencies They
feel that they owe no Obligations to
this country and that their Father
land has claims upon them.