The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-04-26

and the freedom Of the nation cal
make them"
1t is well not only for those wht
love the fatherland, but for all oul
citizens to keep clearly in mind tbs
real issues Of the war as set forti
SO clearly in this message of Tho
President.
A recent letter to the Chicago Tri
bune so well expresses the feelings OF
a German born citizen, who clearly
discerns the issues, and is loyal to his
adopted country, that think it should
be quoted as illustrating no doubt the
attitude of thousands of his country
men who are loyal citizens Of thc
United States. This contribution is
entitled "True erman-Americanism,
and is as follows:
"To the Editor of the Tribune:
"My emotions tell me one thing at
this awful time, but my reason tells
me other things. AS German by
birth it is a horrible calamity that !
may have to fight Germans. That Is
natural, is it not so? But as an
American by preference ! can see no
other course open. -.
whether it is right or not, pleas
ant or not, the fact remains that the
interest of the two countries have fire.
qucntly conficted. And it has not
been from mere commercial or diplo-
matte friction. 1t is because their
ideals of government are absolutely
opposite. One 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 partic-
ular love for the French and less for
the British. But by strange irony
of fate l see those nations giving their
blood for principles which / hold dear,
against the wrong principles of people
l Individually love.
at is very unhappy paradox, but
one cannot escape. do not want to
see the Allies triumph over the land
of my birth. But l do very much want
to see the triumph of the ideas they
fight for.
at sickens my soul to think Of this
nation going forth to help destroy
people many of whom are bound to me
by ties of blood and friendship. But
it must be so. 1t is like dreadful
surgical operation. The militaristic,
undemocratic demon which rules Ger
many must be cast out. 1t is for us to
to do it--nOw.
"Let us make war upon Germany,
not from revenge, nor to uphold hair
splitting quibbles of international law.
But let us make war with our whole
heart and with all our strength be-
cause Germany worships one God and
we another, and because the lion and
the lamb cannot lie down together.
One or the other must perish.
"Let us make war upon Germany
Of the Junkerthum, the Germany Of
frightfulness, the Germany Of AFRO
gance and selfshncss. And let US
swear not to make peace until the
imperial German government is the
imperial German people.
&C. KOTZENABE."
This man has written as one who is
loyal in heart toward the German
people. He has written as though he
had dipped his pen in his own hearts
blood. And the letter illustrates as |
have said that the question, "What
hast thou in the house." is question
of loyalty. Another answer to the
question has led to rapid mobiliza-
ton of our military and naval re-
sources, and also the setting in mo-
ton of those agencies required to
strengthen and increase these forces.
But along with the plans for increas-
ing and strengthening the military
forces of the nation there are certain
plans connected which are a part OF
the science of modern warfare as it
has been developed through the ex-
perience and suffering Of other ma
tions, as well as of our own people IN
the past. And so it is recognized that
men should be picked and chosen care
fully for whatever service they can
best perform. If they are experts in
engineering or in chemistry, or as
having executive or managerial abil-
ity, they can often serve their country
best with the business which war de-
mands or creates. The idea is that
the talent Of each one who serves
shall be used where it will count most
in the result desired, viz: The speedy
and right ending of the war, with as
little loss and sacrifice as may be
possible. The inquiry as to our re-
ources has a vital relation TO our food
problems. Not only must the nation
4 L.