The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-09

to enter into any defense of my own con-
duct in this case. Certainly the people
of Vermont have never heard any sug-
gestion of an unpatriotie utterance from.
me. Suffice it to say prefer to express
my loyalty by support of vital principles
rather than by attacks upon an unarmed
and defenseess human being.
Much has been said of late concerning
two German sailors who have been
thought to be a menace to the peace of
the state. These men were part of the
crew of the passenger steamship Cincin-
natl, which was interned at Boston with
the beginning of the war in Europe three
years ago. They were not fighting sea-
men, but, as / understand it, dining or
bed room stewards My information is
that they were sent by the Protestant
Episcopal chaplain of Boston harbor to
Rev. Mr.. Flint, rector of the church at
Montpelier, with the request that he pro-
vide them with employment. He in turn
sent them to the then rector of st. Paul's,
nthis city, now the Right Rev. George
Y. Bliss, bishop coadjutor of Vermont.
Doctor Bliss asked one of his laymen To
call Doctor Appelmann by telephone and
solicit his help in locating the sailors
where they could earn a living. Doctor
Appelmann had never seen either of the
men and did not know them He COM
piled with the request of Bishop Bliss,
however, and secured employment for
one of the men on the farm of DIR. Henry
C. Tinkham, dean of the University of
Vermont college of medicine. The other
man was employed as an assistant iani-
tor at Converse hall of the university.
About year ago one of these men went
to Holyoke, Mass, TO take another posi-
ton and the second man is still serving
inoffensively at Converse hall dormitory.
There is no feature of this case that
cannot be explained to the satisfaction
of any open minded citizen. The alum
nj of the university and the people of
Vermont are believers in justice and low
ers of fair play. | believe a full know-
edge OF the facts will convince all loyal
citizens of the state that Doctor Appel
professions should be taken at
face value. All letters and documents
bearing on the matter are open to inspec
tion at the university. | shall not en-
gage in a newspaper discussion but I
will gladly answer any questions that
may be asked orally, and l hope those
who are anxious for the truth will feel
free to confer with me on the subject
Such course will bring far more salts
factory results than can be secured by
trusting to vague rumor or depending
upon idle hearsay. 1t is my purpose
TO keep in close touch with the federal
as | have been doing, and I
pledge the constituency of the university
10 make prompt report to the board of
trustees if government officials change
heir attitude.
Those of us who know Doctor Appel
mann have implicit confidence in his
Christian integrity We believe in him
IS fine scholar, an able teacher and
,lameess man. Personally / owe him
10 more than | owe any other colleague
lie has no claim for special consideration
It my hands, but have entered so fully
nto the fellowship of pain with him dur
ng these three years of his excruciating
offering that | have come 10 know him
etter than / know many other men.
hat knowledge has given me a respect
or the greatness of his character that
annot be destroyed by unsupported as
ertions. I urgently request that all
riends of the university accept my as
urances of belief in his worthiness.
hose who trust him will never find their
onfidence betrayed and the day will
urely come when all loyal Vermonters
i'll be proud to claim this good man as
fellow citizen.
Every true patriot is anxious for sue
80 in the great cause upon which our
,untrv and our allies have embarked.
Law we not, then, lay aside all bicker
lps over questions Of small Importance
lille in the spirit Of Christian federation,
iarity. LOYALTY and neighborly good
III. We address ourselves TO the bigger
iestions which have to do with the veal
woe Of mankind =
fSignedl GUY Potter Benton
The University Of Vermont,
Burlington, Aug. :