New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-28
Intern the Aliens
A Menace to the Country Which
Needs Drastic Handling
q .hn Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor or Inc IGlDuHe'
Sir: | am an old reader and admirer Of
your paper and its policies; nothing more
admirably pertinent has ever appeared IN
your journal than tss first page story on the
Alien Menace" Every one knows that 1t
exists to an intense degree, except those VINO
are supposed TO have charge Of the situation
Is il not time for the American people 70
realize that they are at war and drop all the
rhilanthropic buncombe that has been in
dulged in. especially the liberation Of alien
enemies?
Rose water never won war yet. NO man
stays to coax a mad dog, rattiesnake or
tiger. II he has the means he does the Kill
ing TO save his own life. The right to repel
force with equal force is one of the Oldest
principles Endorsed by the laws of all CIVIL
lied nations. In dealing with the Germans
We are dealing with a worse and more des-
perate enemy than the mad dog, the rattler
and the tiger combined were such thing
possible. Yet as you say, the matter Is
drifting.
Every one knows that the country is over
run with hostile aliens, sympathizing Ter
man-Americans and German propagandlsts'
ell of whom are openly or coyertly hostile to
this country. no matter how well they may
have prospered here. can see from my
windows as write the comfortable homes OF
three German families. Not one OF these
ever hosted United States flag since the
present trouble started.
VII not take the bull by the horns before
worse happens? There is ready remedy
that no other nation would neglect. Intern
100 900 hostiles, German Americans and pro-
German propagandists, men and women alike,
for some of the latter are more dangerous
and bitter in their hatred of this country
than the men are. There are thousands or
acres of unoccupied lands that could be in
closed by electrified wire fences, TO be rein
forced by plenty of guards and machine guns
TO reuress any attempt at an emeute. mere
they could be put to work, or starve, as the
Germans have done with the deported Bel
cians. Furthermore, they would serve a,
hostages. In the event Of any more of these
savage, useless murders of helpless women
and children an equal or double number OF
the interned could be drafted, men and wom-
On alike, and get the dead WALL with hVe
minutes preparation to meet the future
Something of this kind will surely have TO
be done with the horde of scientists, preach
ers and editors that are at the head OF the
present movement that endangers the very
life of the nation. Hundreds OF thousands
of our young men will probably and lament
edly lose their lives in this conflict, and a
heavy burden will rest on those whose bust
ness il is 20 safeguard them as far as possi
bic from the Vaccinations of hostiles and
their confederates here. II the authorities
do not do this an enraged populace may be
forced 10 do il later. Gerard's reply TO the
Kaiser was aptly expressed: That il there
are 100000 Germans and their sympathiz-
crs here he was aware OF IT, and also
aware of the fact that there are also 5,OOO-
600 lampposts in the United States. Let US
hope that necessary precautions will be taken
in time before the lampposts shade trees
end elevated structure are brought into play.
Every courtyard furnishes enough clothes
line to complete the equipment.
ANOTHER OLD READER.
Brooklyn, June 20. 1917.