New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-04
Sons Of Germans
Should We Alternate This Important
and Patriotic Part Of America9

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In YOUR issue OF to-day writer, who
signs his name "Pro-Safety," has an article
on your editorial page entitled Germans Not
LOYAL" in which he upholds the British and
French governments in their request that we
send over with our Red Cross units no per-
sons bearing German names, Of German oirth'
or Having German fathers"
believe that nothing more untactful or
unfortunate could have been done by France
and Great Britain. Our army fairly swarms
with German names The name OF our COM
mander in chief in France, Pershing, IS DIS
tinctly Teutonic. Northern France IS leu
tonic itself and abounds in Teutonic names
Have the French found it necessary to pan
ish from their service General Foch, VINO
struck the decisive blow at the Marine ana
who now occupies a great position IN inc
French military establishment? Can any
rame be more German in sound than Foch
And can any one doubt that he is most
loval son of France? If the sons of German
fathers are barred, why not the sons of Ger
man mothers, as in my own case? bear the
simple American name of Simpson, duly in
herited from my father but my mother S
name was Muller and she was born in Magd-
burg. Germany. We are more apt to inherit
our opinions and sentiments from our moth
ers than our fathers. But have been from
the very opening of the war strongly pro-
Ally.
II our forefathers had adopted such an ex-
traordnary rule Andrew Jackson, a rather
well known President of the United States,
would not have been permitted TO tight
against Great Britain, as his parents were
born British subjects, North of Ireland Prot
estants. Some other general would have
commanded at New Orleans, and probably
would have lost the battle. George Wash
ington never looked upon Alexander Hamil-
ton, the son of Scotch father, as a possible
traitor, although we were then fighting the
Scotch and English.
There are several million men in this
country, the sons of German fathers who are
Just as loyal to the United States and just as
ready TO fight Germany as the sons of Eng
lish fathers or the grandsons Of English
grandfathers. How are we TO discriminate
in regard to names wher our land has been
peoped by emigration from all parts Of
Europe? Many a man with an English name
has more German blood in him than others
with German names. Our second in COM
mand in France has a distinctly German
name, Sibert. great part of our popula-
ton of German origin lives in the country
and the small towns. Here, in most cases,
the "sons of German fathers" cannot even
speak German and could not read a German
language newspaper if they would.
The Red Cross will want more funds before
long. Do you think that the vast number Of
"sons of German fathers" who contributed
so literally and so Loyalty last week will con-
tribute with equal liberality after this insult
has been put upon them when the next call
comes?
Do you think our country should ALLEVIATE,
or our allies be permitted to ALLEVIATE, such
an important and patriotic percentage of our
population? WILLIAM }. SIMPSON.
Now York. July 2, 1917.