The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-04-06

i THE NEW VERSION OF
y WISCONSIN IDEA"

From the Milwaukee Journa'

The wisconsin Idea" is the theme OF
one of the letters published by the World
in it's documents regarding German In
fluence IN politics. The letter, written by
Prof. Leo Stern, milwaukee,, to Aiphonse
G. Koelble, New York. tells of an agree
ment with republican. party leaders for
delegates agreeable to the G~ernan-Aneri-
The body of the letter Is translated for
the World as follows:
I'm conjunction with the presence of the
Bundespresident, DIR. H~exaaner,, in Mill
waukee, the question was brought up Of
the position of the German-AInericans in
the coming presidential election. and of
those persons favorable to our cause.
After considerable discussion we have de-
cided to act in the following manner, and
believe the interests of the
| Americans generally win be served in that
manner. In giving you tAe plan, l am
doing so with the request to keep this
matter strictly confidential, and with the
hope that the Wisconsin idea will meet
| work.
The Wisconsin idea is as follows:
1T is known to us that the present
president of the United States will be
nominated by acclamatien; aiat all op-
position candidates have Withdrawn from
the nominations, and that even those re-
publicans who are OF am anti-German
for the democratic candidate, SO that the
past policy of the admi1istra aon, and par
tlcularly it's attitude to Germany and it's
allies, will be carried cut.
ga republican victory under these con-
ditions is only possible if a candidate is
set up who is conservative In his princi-
neutral views, and who shall express
neither pro-British nor pro-9erman, but
solely and only pro-American tendencies.
""To secure the nomination of such a
republican candidate it is necessary that
such delegates shall be sent out of each
state to the republican national cppven-
ton who shall in their entirety guarantee
that they will only vote for a candidate
who represents such truly American
Ideas. To do this it is necessary that a
portion of the delegations to the repub-
lican national convention quarter to a
J ~third-shall consist of approved, d3sinter-
ested COMMUNICATIONS.
With this end in view an interview
with the chairman of the republican state
committee is necessary. I personally
have done this here; and out OF &c dele
been conceded 10. I believe that equal
representations should be seosred in every
other state, and If, in a majority of the
such a candidate would be nominated as
represents the neutral American situa-
ton desired by us.
eve here in Wisconsin have in view.
after we have settled with the republican
state committee as to the number and
names of delegates, to ACQUIRE the CO.
National Bund) in order to deliver not
only a practically unanimous vote (repub-
lican), but also the democratic vote OF
these organizations. OF course. it is neces-
sary that the support of the German
press be secured"
ST am turning this proposed plan of
ton and appreciation, and hope hat it
meets with your approval OF course.
conditions in various states are different.
and it is left to you to use your Judgment
as to just how far you are to go.
II will be pleased to receive an acknowl-
edgement OF this letter and your opinion
with friendliest regards, I am yours
very truly, Leo Stern