Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-31
FOREIGN BORN ARE
SAFE HERE IN CASE
WAR IS DECLARED
MAYOR BRADFORD ACTS TO AS
SURE ALL THAT PROPERTY
RIGHTS ARE SAFE SO LONG AS
LAW is OBSERVED.

SO far as Mayor Bradford has any
influence. the lives and property Of all
foreign born residents of Ottawa will
he protected, in the event of war with
Germany, so long rs these residents
obey the laws OF the state and nation
and the ordinances of the city.
This declaration was made today by
Mayor Bradford following the receipt
of letter from the National Amer
icanization committee, having head
quarters in New York,
This letter pointed out that in the
present crisis, foregn-bOrn workmen
and residents of this country are in
particularly difficult situation
The council of National Defense
another organization formed for the
purpose Of furthcring the interests Of
America. recently issued statement
il which fair treatment and consist
Cnt consideration was urged for all
aliens.
Can Minimize Dangers.
IF our foreign-born residents, Of
all naticnalities, are made TO feel this
attitude on the part of our citizens
and ouY city government, the dangers
Of undue excitement and of disturb
ances of the public peace at tho least
provocation viii be greatly lessened,
Gays this statement
Accompanying the letter of the
Americanizaticn committee was a
postal card, showing the way in
which the question has been handled
by Carroll Thornton, mayor of Young.
s,own, Ohio. Nh Carroll issued q
public proclamation, printed on pos
tai cards in Hungarian, Slavish. Ital
ian, Roumanian, Polish, Croatian and
Serbian languages. These postals
we're msil4o' to the foreign-born resi-
dents of Youngstown, and the procla
maticn was also publithed in the
newspapers The proclamation read!
rs follows.
4. Carroll Thernton.' mayor a
Youngstown, deem it Nise In Tho
present crisis, in this forma. proela
lnaiion, to assure all residents Of for
egn birth that even in the event O
The United States becoming activel,
involved in the great European war
no citizen of any foreign power, resi-
dent in Youngstown, need fear any
invaaion os 'fi9 personal or property
rights so long as he gees peacoably
about bis business and conducts him
aelf in 4 law-abiding manner,
"The United States has never, in
any war~so far am advised con
iiscated the property Of any foreign
resident. unless by his own hostile
acts he made it necessary.
Protect Property Rights.
II take this formal means of de
claring to all foreign-born resident
that they viii be protected in the
ownership Of their property and
money, and that they will be- free
from personal molestation SO long as
they obey the laws Of the state and
nation and the ordinances Of the city
II urgently request that all our
people refrain from public discussion
Of questions involved in the present
crisis, and maintain a calm and con
siderate attitude toward every one
without regard to their nationality
81 endorse every word of that pro
clamation,' said Mayor Bradford II
has the right ring, and should be Civ
Ell TO the police Of Ottawa. ! sha. be
pleased to have the Free Trader Jour
nal print the same, and ! hope the
other papers, and the German papers
viii reproduce the same, together With
q statement from me that | will Wer-
else The vigilance suggested by the
mayor Of ottawa. Tho residents If OF.
tawa, without regard to their natonal.
ity are entitled to every prOteCtbn, 20
long as they continue to he god citi'
Gems and | am sure the city dlicials
will be ready to sec that this brotec.
| ton Is given
1t is possible copies of tly postal
proclamation, endorsed byj Mayor
Bradford. may be printed II different
/ languages and circulated uthis city
Pictures at the Con- fhurch.