New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-08
A FLAG OR A TRADEMARK
If We Export Munitions and Refuse Food,
What of the Stars and Stripes?
10 The Fditor Of Tho Tribune.

To The Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Mr. Emile Pickhardt, a German sym
pathizer used in your columns recently a.
very strong word 1t is so .brutishly strong
a word that no one UP to now has used It,
This word is treason" 1t is used By Mr..
Pickhardt 70 describe what he calls prop
uganda in this country derogatory to Ger
many. His point of view assumes that a
propaganda derogatory TO Germany must be
4 propaganda in favor of England. Could he
understand II one were to suggest that the
new force gaining strength in this country
against German propaganda is an American
propaganda?
Propaganda" means any institution or
scheme for propagatng a doctrine. dis
like the word as applied to this awakening Of
America. To call The Tribune, for instance,
ian institution or scheme for propagating the
doctrine Of patriotism" is to fall short,
somehow, of true expressiveness. But good
way 70 reach the understanding OF the leu
tonic element is TO use their vocabulary.
Treason" means betrayal, treachery or
breach of allegiance or of obedience toward
the government. 1t is punishable by firing
squad and scattering OF blood against some
wall. The objects removed to the lime pits
are what arc known "a traitors" One may
as well be exact as long as such words have
to be used.
Now, what OF the German propaganda? To
US who think of government as an occasional
friction between noisy political factions the
ruthless. silent. methodical force of such
organization is hard to understand. But the
very fact that it has worked unseen, and so
strongly, arouses our American interest in
the mysterious. We know vaguely that it
made a move at the time of the Lusitania,
that it has kept us out of war; since. The
thousands of dollars spent by the American
embargo conference in flooding Congress
with kilograms from German-American-o or
American Recommendations undoubtedly
Influenced decision on the Lusitania. That
is matter of record And two Shiny tenta-
cles came to the surface in Boyd and Won
Papen, to be promptly bitten off and left to
our disposal. But what else do we know
about this German propaganda?
II is time we understood it. Lately we
know that it began to urge peace, through
American Intervention; The Tribune OK
planned that fully.
Nothing is now heard Of that movement.
Instead the papers are full of national
agitation for food embargo. This issue,
however, is by no means new. All Americans
who have had TO buy food-snd that means
literally all American5-haye wondered for
some time why few spectators should be
allowed to reap fortunes by exports of food.
To speak Of a matter so unimportant, | was
among the letter writer's on the subject way
back last April And now behold the pro-
test hugely organized, and in less than
weeks time grown big enough for the Presi
dents attention. Trailing along are all the
women's clubs and petty inspectors, whose
breath must be rather taken away by such
progress.
No better opportunity could present itself
for understanding of the German propaganda.
England must not have American food"
Any one speaking against this propaganda is
traitor. Remember that the Germans use
words in their precise meaning; the warning
before the Lustania is proof. To them any
ono speaking against Germany must be
speaking for England. Every one here Ia q
German propagandist or else should be shot.
Used by a German propaganda, the word
TRAITOR" has that meaning.
Well, speaking rs one, ] wonder if we can
now afford to advocate tho food embargo,
which would result in deprivation for the
Allies, engineered by Germany Let us at
least consider the matter in its full aspect
and try to regain the dignity Of decision.
Congressman Fitzgerald, the man who
wanted to warn Americans off ships follow
ing the Lustania, is the man who frames the
embargo bill. This bill is not framed TO
embarrass food spectators.
American propaganda is gaining strength
in its hasty, unmethodical way. Here is op
portunity for an important initial effort.
Shall America have some part in this deci-
sion? Shall it decide to use the distasteful
word propaganda with resolute intent?
Shall il also use the brutal word treason?
We are suffering in the matter of food.
But are we suffering ss much as we should,
or could? The embargo would be excellent
for our wellbeing. But is the issue of we'll
being great enough to represent America in
this world crisis? Above all, Is 1t 10 be
thrust upon US by one beligerent at the ex
penso OF another?
Let Americans take thought. Can We afford
to 60 down In history as continuing NUM-
ton exports and refusing food-because OF
personal inconvenience? Shall our flag be-
como merely trademark r.
Cornwall N. Y, Dec. 6, 1915