New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-12
Move to Rid Themselves Of
an Insidious Anti-Amer-
lean Influence
Result Of Carnegie
Hall Demonstrate
Peace Propaganda Seriously
Embarrassed by Activities
Of Kaiser Subjects

The American peace propaganda has
begun to be seriously embarrassed by
its German supporters. Last Friday
evening at Carnegie Hall an open peace
meeting was converted suddenly into
p-o-German demonstration, to the sur
prise and chagrin Of many earnest ad-
vocates Of measures less than war, who,
although upbraided with being un-
American, cannot fairly be called either
anti-American or pro-German.
This experience opened their minds,
apparently, to the fact that in their
zeal for peace they had been accepting
unawares or thoughtlessly the assist
ance of people whose motives are
dangerous. In short, what might have
been conceived as a purely American
peace movement discovers itself in the
role of abetting an aggressive pro-Ger-
man propaganda in the United States.
To Eliminate German Influence
Now tardily a radical effort will be
made to eliminate the German IN
fluence from the various peace soci-
cites. This influence. it may be proper
TO say, has been in most cases insid-
ious. Public peace meetings are
loosely organized, and pro-Germans
may come and go with the rest, even
though they should happen to be sub
iects of the Kaiser, if not also agents
in the pay Of the imperial German gov
ernment. Pacifist treasures are needy
like the treasures Of all voluntary as
sociations. and cnecHs from unknown
and anonymous persons are not hero
ically declined.
+ As il is the business Of a peace socl-
etv 10 evoke sentiment, kilograms. let
ters and speeches in line with the cause
are. or have been, very acceptable from
all sources as it might be, even pro-
German sources when slightly dis
guised as. such.
So il is easy to see how Germans, oy
the use of money and by seizing every
opportunity TO write and to speak IN
the cause of peace, might very easily
gain a great influence over the pacihst
propaganda. as, in fact, they are now
discovered to have done. They have to
a considerable extent allied paclhst
with pro- German propaganda.
Making Peace Sentiment
The facts are now beginning 20 be
discussed by the peace societies them
selves. parJiy. no doubt, through mo-
tives of self-defence. II is admitted
that persistent efforts have been made
on the part OF pro-German propagan-
dists to get behind the peace move
ment." 1t has been difficult TO keep
clear of their activities. They load the
most with letters and kilograms calling
upon the Administration to keep US
out of war"
Leaders Of the pacihst movement nat
urallv are sensitive 10 the charge that
their work has been adopted in the
German interest. but they now admit
Tho force of that influence and talk OF
measures to rid themselves OF IT.
Dr George ". kirchwey, president
of tho American Peace Society, was
one pacifist who admitted that the Ger,
mans were "in the peace movement,
hut he denied that either bis society
or anv other Of the recognized assocla-
lions "were backed by Germans.
Germans Seize Opportunity
"Tbc German propagandists undoubt-
odI,, have taken advantage Of the peace
,noyoment in their efforts to stave OIL
var" he said. "They are dong al IN
thoir mower to prevent war, and 1t was
onlv natural that they should identlty
themselves with the move for peace IN
whatever ways they could.
Mrs. Henry Willard, chairman OF tne
Emergency Peace Federation, denied
that Germans had any influence IN her
orranization. so far as she knew.
"Anv suggestion that our federation
is supported by Germans IS absurd,
+ aid Mrs. Willard I'VE are purely
American so far a. We know. II there
was pro-German cheering at our meet
ING il was because it was an open meet
ing. There are always at such tunes
,bincs said which we would rather not
have said. We think the suspicion
tbat peace societies are promoted oy
German influence will soon De as
PEELED"