The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1917-04-12

- Star gives the following answers, WI
manner the reasons why America h
many:
From a Kansas City German-Amer
icanican signing himself "E. G. H..
the Star has received a letter which i
takes the liberty of condensing a
follows:
| was born in Germany, but hav'
lived in the United States 20 years
and am an American citizen. | vii
do all | can to help the United States
in war. But we Germans have warm
spot in our hearts for our brothers
and sisters mot for the kaiser--the
sooner he goes the better). Here are
some things | have never seen ex-
planned:
Why did we give up our trade with
Germany at England's command? On
the other hand we sell to England
guns and munitions. We have kept
the war going through our trading
with the Allies. Germany is not sink
ing our boats to kill our people, but
to keep material from getting to
England. We have helped the Allies
until Germany had to fight for her
existence.
If these things can be explained it
will help the COMMUNICATIONS in
their doubt. If they cannot be ex-
planned the German Americans will be
in battle line on the side Of Uncle
Sam Just the same as during the Civil
war.
This seems to the Star sincere let
ter written in fine spirit by loyal
American. Undoubtedly it represents
the feeling of very many other men
under similar conditions. To them,
with their German connections, the
present situation has become almost
tragedy. When the feelings are
touched explanations are of little
avail. But it may help to an under
standing to give an account of the
grounds on which the predominant
sentiment of the United States is
based.
To some citizens of German affilia-
ton this sentiment may seem preju-
diced on account of the British origin
of the American stock. They should
reflect that this British origin did not
prevent this country from fighting
two wars with Britain, and that for
the last generation there has been
nowhere more unstinted admiration
for German efficiency and German
achievement than in the United States.
"E. G. HIS" questions concern the
two blockades and the matter of trad
ing with the belligerents. Under the
recognized principles of international
law a nation has the right to blockade
the coast Of a nation with which it is
at war, provided it makes the block
ade effective. 1t has the right to in
tercept and seize or sink merchant
ships belonging to the enemy, pro-
vided it insures the safety of those
On board, and provided certain other
regulations are observed. Neutrals
have the right to trade with the
lighting countries so far as they are
lble. In the Balkan wars virtually
III the munitions on both sides were
furnished by German and French
,lants, and this trade was everywhere
as legal.
The British Blockade has been main
aimed by Gordon of cruisers and
las Appropriated the requirements
I international law. 1t has been en- :
orced in way that has not leopard
zed lives and property of neutrals.
10 vessels have been sunk without .
farming. Captures have been taken :,
D port and put under the adjudication :,
( court. While the United States ?
as protested against certain aspects 9
I the blockade, the disputes have
cen over property interests and are >,
gitimate subjects of negotiation. In
dentally, the interference with trade =
as not strangled American COM \,
cree. Exports are larger now than :,
fore the war.
The German blockade has taken the
lape of a warning to all ships to
ay out of an area in excess of
illion square miles on penalty of til
mixing without warning. It's course ka
I'd not the slightest warrant in in FL
irrational law. Already hundreds tic
Americans have been killed as tn
suit of this illegal order. Lives are tn
It in the same class with property. APP
icy cannot be made the subject of Br
plomatc negotiation and arbitration. tic
: los
INV nucCT mi n wi