New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-13
BARES WILSON.
ATTEMPTS TO
WIN GERMANS
Sheriff. Tells ofEffOrt
to Block Defence
Parade

The controversy over the charges
made by Norman Hapgooi that Charles
+. Hughes had an understanding with
the German propagandists increased
yesterday.
Colonel Charles II. Sheriff., who or
| ganized the big preparedness parade on
May 13 last, added strength to the Re-
publican counter-charge that it was the
Democrats who had been most active
in trying to get the Gernan-American
vote. He declared an attempt was made
by the Administration to prevent the
parade on the ground that it might
cause trouble among New York's Ger
man-Americans.
A signed statement to that effect was
made by Colonel Sheriff. at Republican
national headquarters. Colonel Sheriff.
declared he was summoned to the
Mayors ofics two weeks before the
parade and was there told of message
from Washington. The statement was
supported by Alderman Henry H. Cur
ran and others, who were in Mayor
Mtchel's office during the interview.
1t was made clear that the suggestion
did not come from the Mayor, but from
Washington, Mr.. Sheriff. said.
Was Afraid of Riots.
! The statement in part follows:
"About two weeks before the parade
I received an urgent telephone request
70 come to the Mayors Office. Upon
arrival there / was told that a long dis
tance telephone message had just been
received from the Administration in
Washington urging that the prepared
ress narade be abandoned on the ground
that il would irritate our American
citizens of German birth or descent,
might cause riots in the streets, and
therefore be most undesirable.
"Of course, l was astounded by this
request, and stated that, in my opin-
ion. side-stepping a crisis was not the
hest way to meet it, especially If not
assured that it really was crisis.
asLed time TO consider the matter, and
il was given me. 1t was made clear
that the extraordinary suggestion did
not originate with the Mayor. but came
from the Administration in Washing
ton.
Found Danger Imaginary
ain order TO ascertain if this was a
real or only an imaginary crisis, pre-
pared for political purposes, l con-
ferred with Carl L. Schurz, q child
hood friend, told him what had been
said TO me at the Mayors office. ex-
pressed my opinion that it was based
upon an entire misconception OF our
4 lGerman-American citizens and their
LOYALTY 20 their adopted land, and in
] this opinion he heartily agreed. He
went at once to see his friends. and had
a number of conferences, concerning
which | cannot speak, because l was
not present at any Of them.
Nuab, 40 q ANSe'S 49,
efforts, Bernard Ridder purposely went
20 the Mayors Office and assured his
honor that not only was there no fear
of any rioting or other disloyal be-
havior on the part of American citi-
zens of German antecedents, but also
that the German language press OF this
city would indorse and support the
parade. myself never have seen Ber-
nard Ridder."
Wilson Emissary Present
II was understood that spokesman
from the President was in the Mayors
Office when Mr.. Sheriff. called. Mr.
Sheriff. would not say who he was. but
referred inquirers to the Mayor. From
other sources it was learned that Frank
l.. Polk, counsellor to the State De.
partment, was the man.
Theodore Rousseau, the Mayors ssc'
retary. said last night he had no rec
! Continued - pags 4 seluna