Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-08-24
Section One

The following letter, written by
Professor Douglas w. Johnson, OF
Columbia University. is in reply to a
letter. pleading the cause of Germany.
which he received from a German
correspondent. Professor Johnson's
letter appeared IN the Revue de
Paris"
February. 1916.
Your two letters. with enclosed
newspaper clippings. and your postal
card were duly received. I can assure
you that my failure to reply more
promptly was not meant as any dis
courtesy. The clippings were gladly
received, for 1 am always anxious to
read what prominent Germans regard
as able and convincing presentations
OF their side of disputed matters. Your
own letter. particularly the long one
OF July 9, were read most carefully.
appreciate your earnest edeavor to
convince me of the righteousness of
your country's cause, and am not I'M
mindful OF the time and trouble you
spent in preparing for me so carefully
worded a presentation of the German
point of view touching several mat
tiers OF the profoundest Importance OF
our two governments.
My failure to reply has been due to
doubt in my own mind as to whether
good would be accomplished by any
letter which l could write. / could
not agree with your opinions regard
Ing Germany's responsibility for the
war, nor regarding her methods oil
conducting the war; and II did not
seem 10 me that you would profit By
any statement might make as to the
reasons for my own opinions on such
vital matters. Your letters clearly
showed that you wrote under the in
fiuence of an intense emotion-an
emotion which | can both understand
and respect. but which might well
make 1t impossible for you to accord
a dispassionate reception to a reply
which controverted your own views
With your country surrounded by
powerful foes. with your sons delug.
ing allen soil in an heroic defence
of your governments DEGREES, with
the nation you love most dearly stand.
ing in moral isolation. condemned By
the entire neutral world for barbarous
crimes against civilization, you could
hardly be expected to write with that
scientific accuracy and care which
would, In normal times, be your ideal.
For this reason have not resented
much in your letters which would
otherwise call for earnest protest.
feel sure. for example, your assertion
that | and my fellow countrymen de
rive our opinions of German conduct
wholly from corrupt and venal news
papers, or usually from a single news
paper which doles out mental poison
In subservience to single political
party, was not intende,, to be as in.
sqting as II really sounded. Your
emotion doubtless lead you to make
Charges which your sense of Justice
and courtesy would, under other cir.
camstances. condemn. I believe also
that In calmer time you would not
entertain the sweeping opinion that
The daily press has become one OF
the direst plaques OF humanity. an
ulcer IN the frame of society. whose
ono object II is. for private ends
fwealth, political influence, and social
position), to pit the races. nations, re.
Sligions, and classes against one an.
other" l realize that some of your
papers are disgrace to the high call
ing OF journalism: believe that some
sacrifice honor for gain and that some
&c subservient TO special interests:
but the roll of American Journalists
" honored by the presence OF many
names which command respect M
hpme and abroad because of long.
standing reputation for honesty. fear.
lessness, and distinguished service In
the cause Of humanity. To one such
lame was added at our last commence.
nent the degree representing one Of
he highest honors which Columbia
University has TO bestow upon a man
4 lofty ideals and honorable achieve.
rent The paper edited by this man
among those most extensively read
myself and hundreds Of thousands
other Americans who demand 10
low the truth. However low may be
Q moral plane OF some newspapers, i
'nr characterization OF all news.