The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-26
remain NEUTRAL
German Catholic Clergy of Wis.
Take No Election Stand.
Let Members of Church Think
and Act for Themselves.
PRIEST DEFENDS WILSON
Father Oberle Wants Proof He
Slandered Germans.
Hot Debate With Independence
Conference Official.

Milwaukee, Wis, Oct. 26-German
Catholic pastors of Wisconsin called
into session here by the American In
dependence conference, which sought
to induce them to support Charles e.
Hughes, Republican candidate for
president. adopted the following reso-
luton:
Resolved. that inasmuch as this
| meeting is composed principally of
Catholic clergymen and Catholic lay
men, it is the sense OF this meeting
that we can not and will not take any
stand in party politics, leaving it to
the individual to think and act for
himself"
George West of the Republican state
central committee, issued a statement
declaring that the conference had no
connection with the committees work
for Mr.. Hughes.
Fifty priests and laymen from vari-
Gus parts of the state had assembled
for the conference when the Rev.
James j. Oberle, of New Colen, Wis,
entered. 1t was Father Oberle who on
Tuesday wired Mr.. Hughes with a de-
garding the hyphen and the confer
/ ence.
Then things started to happen.
Father Oberle demanded that G. H
Jacobson. an official of the Independ-
ence conference, furnish specific in
|
support Mr.. Hughes.
Asks for Proofs.
you say that Mr.. Wilson slandered
hundreds of thousands of German
Americans by saying that they are dis
| loyal Give us the words. 1 am not
talking for Mr.. Wilson or Hughes If
| this is your proposal, that we must
vote for Hughes give US the presi-
dents words"
81 think all of you have read the
papers and it has been repeated time
and time again. Mr.. Jacobson replied
Il know that it has been recorded in
the press and it has never been de-
MED"
Father Oberle challenged Mr. ia
cobson to produce a single speech by
President Wilson in which the presi-
dent had mentioned the German
| Americans of the country. Mr.. Jacob
son said that the no wsoapers had pub
lished accounts of President Wilson
speeches and that had been the inter-
probation that had been placed upon
them.
Give us the proof" cried several
at once.
THAT is my opinion" Mr.. Jacobson
began. He added some further COM
ment and was met with the reply
that something more than his opinion
was wanted. E. P. Nemmers demand
ed the names of the O'Leary commit
tee which had the conference with
Mr.. Hughes on which the political
campaign in his behalf is based. Mr..
Jacobson read them.
Their judgment is that he would
be neither pro-British nor pro-Ger-
man." Mr.. Jacobson said, speaking of
this conference.
Hughes Pro-Amcrican.
Did he make any promises" Mr..
NemmerS asked.
He made no promises" Mr.. Jacob
son replied, land l defy anyone to
prove that we demanded that he make
any promises. We think he will be a
pro-American president
What would Hughes have done? %
was the next query.
Il don't know" Mr.. Jacobson sre-
piled. HE made no promises. We
are only assured that he will be an
American president"
Then Mr. Jacobson reiterated that
Mr.. Wilson had not been neutral.
Not according to international
law?'' was the next step in the cross
examination
mo, not according to international
law, in my Judgment" Mr.. jacobson
assorted, with a good deal of emphasis.
DO you not know that Mr.. Roose-
welt is supporting Mr.. Hughes" Mr..
Nemmers insisted.
Jacobson was nettled by the agrees
1 sive attitude of Father Oberle and
Mr.. Nemmers, and said, IF you two
gentlemen are going to dominate this
meeting, / am ready to retire"