The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-04-10
THE GERMANSsIN AMERICA


THE GERMANSIN AMERICA
In all reading on the unfortunate break ths
has come between this country and Germany we hav
nothing better than letter from a German-Amer
lean published days ago in the Chicago Tribune
1t written before the declaration of war, but it
none the less apt and to the point that account
is given herewith in full:
March 80, 1917.
The Editor, Tribune My emotions tell
one thing at this awful time, but my 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 so? But American
by preference I other open.
We urged by sincere pacifsts like Mr..
Pnchot to adopt "a vigorous policy of defense and
protection, but war" But attack is sometimes
the best protection.
For 25 years Germany has shown dislike for
the United States-the Samoan affair." the Hongkong
contretemps, the Manila bay incident the unguard-
ed words of the kaiser himself, and lastly, the
Haitian controversy in 1914.
Whether it is right not pleasant not, the
fact remains that the interests of the two
tries have frequently conficted. And it has not
been from mere commercial diplomatic friction.
1t is because their ideals of government abso-
lutely opposite. One the other must go down.
1T is for to say which it shall be.
Because of my birth and feelings beyond my
control l have particular love for the French
and less for the British. But by strange irony of
fate those nations giving their blood for prin-
ciples which hold DEAR against the wrong prnci-
pies of people l individually love.
1t is very unhappy paradox, but 1
not escape do not want to the allies triumph
the land of my birth. But do very much want
to them triumph of the ideas they fight for
1t sckens my soul to think of this nation going
forth to help destroy people many of whom are
bound to by ties of blood and friendship. But
it must be 1t is like dreadful surgical opera
ton. The militaristic, undemocratc demon which
rules Germany must be cast out 1t is for us to do
it-now
/ try to tell myself that it is not our affair,
that we should content ourselves with measures of
defense and armed neutrality But know that it
is not so.
The mailed fist has been shaken under our nose
before. II PruSSlanlSm trlumphS IN this war the
fist will continue to shake We shall be in real
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. 1t seems
TO common that reign our defense by
immediate attack, when the demon is occupied and
when we can command assistance.
There is much talk of what people like me
will do, and fear of the hyphen. Mr.. Wilson by his
lesitancy and vacllation shows that he doubts the
solidarity of the nation.
But | think the nation is only cropping for
If the president would realize the value
If positive action he could bring all the people into
unity at once ringing declaration of war, with
calm statement that enter the struggle to save
md strengthen the institutions upon which our
tate is built, would at bring all the con-
ictng emotions of our people into patriotic unity.
hen all foolish notions of copperheads and traitors
would seem merely bad dream.
In conclusion wish to compliment the Tribune
ecause is positive in its thought but reasonable,
ot yielding to the empty wckedness of hateful
ess
"