South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-23

enough by her propaganda work It is time to call a
halt especially when it gets into schools
commencement exercises, as II fountng itself in our
faces notwithstanding existing warlike enmites The
preense or the claim, that Germany has contributed
anything unusual to American culture virtue advance
ment etc. is two-thlrds bunk. Prin McCowans as
surances that it has. not changing IL. This is not
quoting Mr. MCGOWAN. but the facts still hold, from
careful review II American Immigration our early
days that Germany considerably less figure in
our growth Of population. and other advancements.
than is generally supposed, for instance
Instead of 2000O.OOO Germans having been absorbed
into our develops that the entire number Of
immigrants coming this country from the German
empire 1899 when the records began up to 1910,
only 5,351546. This is considerably less than
number Of British and Irish immigrants who came
in the same period. The latter have amounted to =
76633O
Inasmuch the country almost wholly British
in population before the German immi grafton began,
addition afterward were so great
y in excess Of the German increment it is easy to
why British Institutions traditions so cas-
iy survived and remained dominant
But the true Of the German immigration is
not accurately indicated by the given. OF the
5,351,746 Germans who TO America years
many returned to Germany. Many others classed as
German" were Hebrews. who not Germans all
The necessary deductions should be made on these
two counts reduce the net immigration of
81 years 20 about 1000 600 And during those years
the poulaon Of the country increased from 96aS,453
70 91,972266.
Why, then if Germans have played so small a part
numerically in our national growth have they been
credited with big part? The current this
point is due the overzealous Teutonic propaganda
of our German-language newspapers They have lived
hourished 10y printing news by emphasiz-
ing and fostering German influences and traditions
Naturally they have exaggerated, the general pub
lie well their own German readers have believed
their ezaggerauons,-and why shouldn't it, especially
when get it, unpretenticusly, even in high
school commencement exercises?
There is call for getting unduly excited over the
incident; merely call attention a good place
for start and to right Give Germany
all that is her due should know much about her
possible but we have had enough of this pro-German
sentimentalism fostered through propaganda work
The time has for Germans who have come to
Americas of them have. because they could
no longer tolerate Germany-to either become Ameri-
in spirit well in the enjoyment Ameri-
opportunities and privileges; this or else 20 back
TO Germany Certainly do them. or
their predetermined offspring pro-Germanizing
America through public schools to the the
Iron Cross"-or otherwise.
This war must serve to cement various natonali-
ties together one schools must lead in the
work. 1t is a matter of mental training. The war
supplies the psychological moment for it. Call it
larger ''nativism if YOU like. 1t necessity
tivism"-but the native American at least should be
through and through American He should be more
proud to say 4 am an American" than to say My
father and mother German,"-and should be
taught to them in the schools