The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-04-13
4 LOYAL NATCRALIZED AMEkI.
CAN.

Those OF our fellow citizens OF
German origin are generally
proving loyal to their oath of al
leglance to America and our
American institu lions, land where
they are doing this they are en-
titled to the sympathy, and
should command the respect of
every right thinking person, for
they are called upon to make a
sacrifice that many Of us do not
have to make. We have seen
nothing that more forcibly ex.
presses the position and feelings
of the loyal naturalized Ameri.
can than the following commune
cation sent to the Chicago Tri,
bune, and that paper in COM
menting upon the communlca-
ton says that the writer has the
GermanlSm of Carl Schurz, Of
Brenlano and Slgel:
March so, 1917.
Editor Tribune: My emotions tell
my reason tells me other things. As
German BY birth, it is a horrible
calamity that | may have to fight
Germans That is natural, Is it not:
But as an American by preference |
can see no other course open.
We are urged by sincere pacitists
Ike Mr. Pjnchot to adopt a vigorous
policN Of defense and protection, but
a :
the best prot ction.
For y years Germany has shown
dislike for the United States the Sa-
moan affair, the Hong Kong contre-
temps, the Manila bay incident, the
unguarled words Of the Kaiser him
self, and lastly the Haytian contro-
%ersy ia 1914.
Whether IT is right or not. pleasant
or not, the fact remains that the in
terestS of the two countries have fre-
quentlv contlcted, and it has not been
from mere commercial or diplomatic
friction. 1t is bee ause their ideals OF
government are absolutely opposite.
one or the other must go down. 1t is
for us to say now which ii shall be.
Because Of my birth and feelings
beyond my control have no particu-
lar love for the French, and less for
the British, but by a strange irony OF
fate see those nations giving their
blood for principles which | hold
dear, against the wrong principles of
people | individually love.
1t is very unhappy paradox, but
oae | cannot escape. | do not want
to- see the allies triumph over the land
OF my birth. But / do very much
want to see the triumph of the ideas
they fight for.
It sickens my soul to slf.iS.x of t.l!s
nation going forth to help destry peo-
pie, many OF whom are bound to me
10y ties of blood and friendship. But
it must be so 1t is like dreadful
surgical operation. TIE militaristic
undemocratic demon which rules Ger
many must be east out. 1t is for us to
do it--NCW
try to tell myself that it 5 not our
affair, that 40 should content our
selves with measures of defense and
armed neutrality. But | know that II
is not SO.
The mailed fist has been shaken
under our nose before. If Prussian-
ism triumphs in this war the fist will
continue to shake. We shall be in
rea peril, and those ideas for which
so much Of the worlds best blood has
been spilled through the centuries,
will be in danger of extinction. It
seems to me common sense that We be-
gin our defense by immediate attack,
when the demon is occupied and when
we can command assistance
Let us make war upon Germany.
not from revenge nor to uphold hair
splitting quibbles Of International
law. But let us make war with our
whole heart and with all our strength
because Germany worships one God
and we another, and because the lion
and the lamb cannot lie down togeth-
er. One or the other must perish.
Let us make war upon Germany OF
the Junkerthum, the Germany Of
frightfuness, the Germany of arro-
gance and selfishness. And let us
swear not To make peace until the i'm
perial German government is the inn
perial German PEOPLE.
G. kOTZENABE.