Omaha daily bee., 1917-07-12
DEFENSE COUNCIL
issues WARNING
Scores Lutheran Church and
University Professors for
Manifestation of Un.
American Conduct.


Continued from Page One,
purchased Liberty bonds or partici.
pated in their sale. The council is.
sued warning calling attention to
the fact that such threats amounted
to treason and would be so treated.
lhis warning had wholesome effect.
Under directions from the council the
secretary OF the State Banking board
wrote to the various national and
state banks of Nebraska making in
curry as to threats of this character.
Several hundred of these reports were
received. The larger number of banks
reported that no threats had been
made. A number reported actual
threats and a much larger number
reported statements that amounted
to implied threats. Most OF these
reports said that the warning issued
by the state council had had unoues.
tlonably good effect, whether upon
those who were inclined to antaeo-
nism either from thoughtlessness or
from outright opposition to the gov
ernment These reports show the
strong, independent spirit of most of
the Nebraska bankers.
misunderstanding Exists.
"A majority made it very clear
that they would not tameiy submit to
threats involving patriotic action. At
the same time large number OF
these reports showed that there exists
throughout Nebraska very general
Misunderstanding Of the purpose and
the necessity of this war, and the
council was urged to carry on a sys-
TEN OF education through patriotic
meetings. Some idea OF the situa-
ton as It affects bankers may be OBJ
tained by the suggestion made in the
larger number OF these reports that
the column in the bank reports pro-
viding for the statement OF moneys
invested in Liberty bonds be omit
ted until the conclusion Of this war,
Many of these reports said that while
they had invested in these Liberty
bonds they thought il best not to
make any great noise about ii. Fol-
lowing are extracts from two OF
these reports which are fair samples
OF perhaps seyenty-hvc others:
we don't fear threats, but would
not be greatly surprised If the fact
became known we had invested money
IN war bonds good many deposits
would be quietly withdrawn. Also,Swe
have had no threats, but have had frc-
quent inquiries as TO whether or not
we were going to invest in Liberty
bonds. This makes ii very hard for
US to advertise the bonds in connec-
tion with the bank. We shall, how
ever, do our part.
1T is hardly possible to present in
this statement the instances that will
fairly show the real situation. In one
Nebraska town an American of Ger.
man birth engaged in the banking
business has been so open and pro-
riounced in his support OF the gov-
ernment that he has lost several thou
sand dollars in deposits, controlled
by Prussian sympathizers. From one
town comes the well-authenticated re-
port that while nothing has been done
in that town to aid the Red Cross
efforts to hold Red Cross meetings
have been openly and violently antag-
onixed. Many instances reported by
thoroughly responsible business or
professional men or farmers have
shown that men of commanding in
fluence in the community have openly
expressed their sympathy with Amer
icas enemy and have persisteniiy dis
couraged every effort to help Amer
ica. One man engaged in the banking
business stated publicly that his bank
would do nothing for the sale OF Lib.
crty bonds, adding: i would CONF
init suicide before | would take up
arms against Germany
Fear Business Losses.
"One OF Nebraska's best known and
most reliable citizens reports the Sc
riousness OF the situation in bis com.
lnunity, saying: The o-German
sentiment is SO strong that even some
Of the patriotic citizens seem to be
afraid 70 do their full duty and feel
considerably intimidated. Another
report says of another community:
Many OF the business men seem 10
be timid for fear they will lose busi-
ness Il they engage in patriotic ac-
tivities.
Where the complaints deal only
with the reasonable or thoughtless
words OF single or OF one or two.
individuals il is not serious. for such
cases may be handled with words of
warning and through educational ef-
tort. But the extracts cited above are
iair samples OF very large number
81 reports showing where whole COM
munities are more or less affected by
the un-American attitude OF infiuen-
tlal men, These complaints have
come N such number and from such
responsible sources that it is impos-
sible longer to withhold them from
the public. In certain communities
men working for the country's good
have been embarrassed and handi.
capped, in some instances threatened
with personal violence and in many
instances promised damage to their
business at the hands Of men who are
openly opposed to our countrys cause.
From every section of the state
come reports showing the need in Ne.
braska of widespread educational
campaign. II is very generally re-
ported that among the native-born as
well as among many of the foreign.
horn and concerning whose loyalty
there can be no question there is gen
eral misunderstanding as to the mean.
ing and the purpose of the war and
therefore among these general lack
of sympathy with the war. To meet
this misunderstanding the council IS
preparing to cover the state with lit |
crature and is arranging for patriotic
meetings to be held as soon as con-
yenient in every town in Nebraska.
Support from Germans.
Some OF the strongest support and
best cn-nnerafinn has r,u.,n A.. L. i