The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-09-28
DEMOCRACY FOR GERMANY.


say that even the majority Of the citi-
zens Of German parentage In this
country are in sympathy with Ger
many in this war rather than with the
United States. The views of the Ger
man newspapers do not reflect the
convictions Of all of our German citi-
zens. The recent disclosures of the
large money appropriations sent to this
country by the German government
leave a fair inference as to the causes
for the propaganda in the editorial
and news columns of the German
language newspapers.
Our readers may be interested to
know that there is 4 large and well
organized society in this country for
the encouragement and upbulding of
real democratic system of govern
ment in Germany. From its head
quarters In New York has been is
sued pamphlet describing the pur-
poses of this organization. and 1t is
gratifying to learn that means have
been established for communicating
to the people of Germany the pur-
poses of our government in this war
as announced by President Wilson
There is, for instance. published at
Berne. Switzerland, German news
paper with Il large circulation in Ger
many. devoted to the spreading of
what might be termed the American
propaganda. Very recently it said:
We adopt the standpoints Of presi-
dent Wilson. who logically demands
that steadfast concert for peace can
never be maintained except by part
nership of democratic nations No
autocratic government could he trusted
to keep faith within it, or observe it's
covenants"
There still remains in this country
the strong Influence of the refugees
of the German revolution of 1913. That
movement was really an outgrowth OF
the French revolution of 1890 There
were forty states in the German con
federation ut that time. 4 diet was
established at Frankfort on the Main
but despite the protests OF the people
who had been inoculated with the
spirit OF democracy as it spread from
dint
the princes Of the different states and
the growth of democracy was killed
The revolution which was especially
In evidence In Prussia and SaNony
was short lived. It was crushed b,
the iron heel of militarlsm and many
Of the leaders were compelled to flee
for their lives.
As result hundreds came to the
nited States. and among them were
many who became among our worthest
and most distinguished citizens. There
was Carl Schurz who arose to distinc-
ton as a military leader in our Civil
war. an orator editor and statesman,
who had Il seat in a presidents cab
met. Then, too, there was General
franz SlGel, Il dashing and brillian,
leader in the war between the states
editor and founder of the New York
Substituting. Joseph Pulitzer. the
TREND and protcge of Schurz, was
also product of this movement and
later became one of our most distin-
suishcd and useful American editors
leaving towering monuments of jour-
nalism which have always stood for a
democratic government in its hishcs,
and best sense.
THESE were but q few. There were
hundreds of others who have had a
vital part in the life and government
OF the United States for fifty years,
1t must not be assumed that the IT,
fluence of these men who fled from
the tyranny of an autocratic govern
ment has been lost or is impotent. I,
Is living force today. There will be
found before the end of the war thou
sands Of the relatives of these men
fighting with their hearts and soul,
to save not only the United States
from the domination of the junkess
but also to save Germany from thai
blighting rules