The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-02-09

ORGANIZATION DEMANDS
REFERENDUM ON QUESTION
Adopts Resolution Insisting That
Powers Of President and Con-
gress To Declare War On Ger
many Be Delegated To Vote

-HE United States faces a civil
war if congress declares war on
Germany, according to an EN-
phatieally voiced expression of Opin
ION at a meeting last night Of the Ho
nululu branch of the National German
American Alliance, which adopted a re-
solution petitioning congress before de
claring war on any nation, first to sub
nit such proposed action TO a referen'
dunn of the people Of the nation.
20. W. Ziegler, lieutenant-c colonel in
the national guard, presided at the
meeting, which was called pursuant 10
a eabled request Of DIR. C. ]. Hexamer,
president Of the national body. The
cablegram read; ...
Arrange peace meeting adopting
resolution requesting congress TO sub
NIT question Of declaring war to a re.
ferendum and send resolution to mem
bers of congress by wire and letter. "
The message was received yesterday
by Paul r. Leonburg, secretary of the
local branch Of the alliance.
One Hundred Present
A meeting was hurriedly called and
was held last night with open doors,
at the Knights of Pythias hall. About
100 members were present. ...
Aside from the adoption of the reso-
luton, the feature Of the meeting was
an address by DIR. +. Schurmann, who
moved the adoption of the resolution,
being seconded by Carl du Roi. 1t was
Doctor Sehurmann who declare d, in eff,
feet, that war with Germany would
mean civil war in the United States.
Others who spoke in support of the
resolution were John +. Wolters, Lien.
tenant Colonel Ziegler, J. Cleary and
Capt. Henri Berger j., t.
The text OF the resolution, which was
unanimously adopted, was: rs. g..
'.Be It resolved by the Honolulu
branch Of the National German Ameri
can Alliance at a meeting held Wed
nesday, February z, 1917, attended by
members, all citizens of the United
States Of America, that the secretary
be instructed and is hereby directed tc
telegraph to Honorable Thomas r
Marshall, president Of the United
States senate, and Honorable Champ
Clark, speaker Of the United States
house Of representatives at Washing
ton, d. c., the following petition.
s.ftIn the interests Of peace the under
signed members Of the National Ger
man American Alliance and citizen
voters Of the United States Of Ameri,
ca respectfully petition congress to
provide that before any declaration
Of war be made against any foreign
country, such proposed action be refer
red TO the citizen voters Of the nation
for decision
Threat Of Civil War
tLDr. Schurmann was the principal
speaker in support of the resolution,
and he drew a blood-curuling picture
Of what would happen in the United
States If this country should go to war
with Germany. Civil war woulc
threaten, for the same "heart -rending
conditions which prevailed during that
awful and severe war of South against
North are again rapidly taking shape
all over our land. 1.-THE storm Ia
threatening and the deadly the light
ming may strike and destroy with terri
nc furry"
The address Of DR.. Schurmann was
iiTpart, as follows:
rWhen rendered my oath of allegi
ance 10 the United States some fifteen
years ago, the possibility that my old
fatherland and the country of my
adoption would ever confront one an
othor with daggers drawn seemed toe
absurd for me even 10 give 1t mo
ment,s thought .".. p
That deplorable condition, how
ever, confronts us now, and those hkr
myself who saw the dawn of life il
Germany and spent there their happy
childhood hours can realize and under
stand the bitter agony and conflicting
emotions which are making our pres
emf days yeritable hell upon earth.
Heart-rending Conditions 49,.
1.-THE same heartrending conditions
which prevailed during that awful and
severe war Of South against North arr
again rapidly taking shape all over oul
land. The storm Is threatening anc
the deadly lightning may strike and
destroy with terrific fury.
.'To avert this threatening outbreak
10 render IL harmless; TO harness it
that must be our work We must moi
fail and we will not fail Benjamin
Franlklin has taught US how TO succeed
'sWe hyphens OF German birth arr
indeed loyal Americans. Our oath Il
the land Of our adoption; the LAND
which has sheltered US and has not only
given us and our families our daily
bread, but has offered us again ant
agafn many golden opportunities II
rise TO undroamed Of heights, will neVel
be violated. .....