The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04

Philadelphia Morgen Gazette: As Amer ican citizens it is our duty to remain loyal to the country to which we have sworn allegiance, the United States of America. It is the unquestionable duty of American citizens of German eX- traction to. abstain from any criticism of the steps. taken by our government and remain true to the Stars and Stripes, to the defense of which they are obliged to sacrifice their blood and possessions.
 We must in every way fulfill the obligations of our American citizenship no matter what is exacted of us.
 Cincinnati volksblatt: The President has severed diplomatic relations with Ger many and threatens war on the ground of Germanys invasion of American rights. This reason is untenable in view of the fact that the President has failed to pun ish far grosser violations of American rights on the part of England While German-Americans will obey the call of the country which they have sworn to maintain against all enemies, it is a hard lot for them to lend their aid for a purpose which is nianifestly pernicious to the United States.
 
 The New York Staats-zeitung: Today the moment has passed when we could argue how 1t would have been possible to avoid this crisis. We must be figuring with facts and look into the future We can hope only that the worst may never come, but this hope is only a, faint one. It is almost needless to mention what great anxiety is filling the hearts of those who, being subjects of Germany, hxy oir to,a +O lNo i1 oIfr midst and to the American citizens of German descent who have endeavored to foster the very best of relations between the country of their birth and their new fatherland this turn of events must seem a very serious blow.
 The staats-Zeitung also will print an editorial signed by Bernard H. Ridder, in which he says
 "The President has spoken. He has spoken for the country, for all the people,
 Regret as we may the trend of events, it now behooves every Amer ican to stand squarely behind the President
 "There can be no more division of sentiment, of opinion. There can be only one loyalty to the United States of America.
 Let us hope that the situation shall not be aggravated by any untoward words or acts, for the decision of the President is binding upon the people of our country"
 Chicago Staats Zeitung: ''It cannot be doubted that an overwhelming ma jority of our people stand behind the President in his efforts to keep this country at peace with all the world. But it is doubtful that majority will ndorse giving the German ambassador his passports at the present time. Let us consider America first, last and all the time. Millions of Americans are bound by blood ties to Europeans who are fighting Were America to engage in the war on either side the hearts of millions would be saddened by the knowledge that they must wage war against their kin.
 The war of races would break out in the midst of us, passion aroused auc hatred engendered, internecine warfare would result, unless the causes that led to our entering the European war were so shocking, ag- cedure became futile; and then only would the government have united nation supporting a war policy.
 New York German Herald: No other part of our population will regret this step more than the millions of cit iZens of German blood whose hearts have been filled with grief through recent developments. In this serious hour it is our wish that this break may not be of long duration and may not develop into a deep break. We are convinced that such is the wish of the masses of American people.
 The Omaha Daily Tribune (German) : Our allegiance belongs to America first last and all the time.
 Milwaukee Germania- Herold: What NEW YORK GUARD IS
 ORDERED MOBILIZED