The St. Joseph observer. [volume] (St. Joseph, Mo.) 1906-1932, 1917-04-28
TRUE GERMAN
AMERICANISM


slons of opinion which are worthy the
attention OF its readers and are there
fore given publication. But not in the
course of the present war have we
received a communication which bet
ter deserves consideration at this
time than the following: The Editor.
Tribune: My emotions tell me
thing at this awful time, but my rea-
son tells me other things AS a Ger
man by birth il is a horrible calamity
that l may have to fight Germans
That is natural, is it not so? But as
an American by preference I can see
no other course open. We are urged
by sincere pacifists like Mr.. Pinchot
to adopt a vigorous policy of de-
fense and protection, but no war"
But attack is sometimes the best pro-
lection. For 25 years Germany has
shown dislike for the United States
the Samoan affair, the .Hongkong
contretemps, the Manila bay incident
the unguarded words of the kaiser
himself and, lastly the Haitian con-
troversy in 1914. Whether it is right
or not, the fact remains that the in
terests of the countries have fire.
quently conflicted. And 1t has not
been from mere commercial or diplo-
matte friction. 1t is because their
ideals of government are absolutely
opposite. l or the other must go
down. 1t is for us to say now which
it shall be. Because of my birth and
feelings beyond my control l have no
particular love for the French and
less for the British. But by a strange
irony of fate l see those nations Civ
ing their blood for principles which ]
hold dear. against the wrong princi.
pies of people / individually love
1t is a very unhappy paradox. but 1
| cannot escape. / do not want to
see the allies triumph over the land
OF my birth. But I do very much
want to see the triumph of the ideas
they fight for. 1t sickens my soul to
think Of this nation going forth to
help destroy people, many of whom
are bound to me by the ties of blood
and friendship. 1t Is like a dreadful
surgical operation. The militaristic,
undemocratic demon which rules Ger
many must be cast out. 1t for us to
do it-NOW. l try to tell myself that
1t 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. If Prussianism triumphs 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
thru the centuries will be in danger
Of extinction. 1t seems to me Com
mon sense that we begin our defense
by immediate attack, when the dem
on is occupied and when we can COM
mand assistance. There is much tall
of what people like me will do, and
fear OF the hyphen. Mr.. Wilson by
his hesitancy and vacillation shows
that he doubts the solidarity of the
nation. But / think the nation is only
cropping for leadership. If the presi-
dent would realize the value of posi-
tive action he could bring all the peo-
pie into unity at once. A ringing dec
laration Of war, with a calm state
ment that we enter the struggle to
save and strengthen the institutions
upon which our state is built. would
at once bring all the conflicting emo
tions of our people into patriotic uni
ty. Then all foolish notions of cop
perheads and traitors would seem
merely a bad dream. In conclusion
cause it is positive in its thought, but
reasonable, not yielding to the empty
wickedness of hatefulness Let us
make war upon Germany, not from
revenge, nor to uphold hair splitting
bubbles of International law. But let
us make war with our whole heart
and with all our strength because
Germany worships l God and we an
other and because the lion and the
lamb cannot lie down together. l or
the other must perish. Let us make
war upon the Germany Of the Junk
erthum, the Germany of arrogance and
selfishness. And let us swear not to
make peace until the imperial Ger
man government is the imperial Ger
man PEOPLE.-C. Kotzenabe. Mr..
Kotzenabe has spoken, we believe, for
that true German -Americanism which
has been a splendid part of Ameri-
canism from the foundation of the re-
public. His Is the Germanism of Carl
SchurZ, of Brentano, and Sigel, a spirit
| proved in the fire of war, shining forth
| in our counsels, serving always the
ideals of liberty and progress. 1t IS
of this spirit and of such men The
| Tribune has thought when it has as
| serted that German-American loyalty
could be relied upon. 1t is because
of this spirit and such men that in
| the midst of the darkness of war, we
may cling to the hope Of restoring
progress, a more assured peace, q
more genuine amity. Mr.. Kotzenabe's
| letter is exceptional also in indicating
an issue upon which all Americans
whether of colonial. German or any
| other ancestry, can whole heartedly
rally. 1t is true the German govern.
ment has shown America surlS
front for generation and has more
than once seemed ready to strike. And
now IL we war against Germany 4
will be against that government and
that temper, not against the German
people, to whom we owe so much that
is strong and fine in our institutions
our domestic life, and our ideals
Chicago Tribune.