Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-28
Statement by Gustav Bucholz.

mother countr,..
Statement by Gustav Buchoiz.
Gustav guchoiz. proprietor OF the
Hotel Occidental. today gave out THIS
statement:
Pacing the many rumors ahoat con-
corning the disloyalty and unfaithfui-
ness of German Americans at this time.
now that war seems pending. l WISH "
make a few statements concerning my
own position. When Germany was
lighting the old world. naturally my
sympathies were with the iaAo o1 my
birth but now that this country seems
to be on the verge of war, l want II
plainly understood that my sympathieS
are with the land of my adoption, ana
tina, my one sense of duty is to Am n
lea. and my oath of loyalty knows VI
no conditions and no reservations
Il arrived in this country when a
mere boy. Have been a citizen OF the
United States over twenty years. roi
fifteen years l have been in Washing
ton. and l want to express my hearty
thanks to the people of the District iof
their support, to which is due the sue
cess / have made. / have every reason
to believe that my friends trust my
loyalty.
ITO every true American citizen say:
by my President, woodrow Wilson.
Martin Wiegand Declares Loyalty.
Martin Wiegand. a prominent bust
ness man. and president Of the United
German Societies, organized to care for
orphan children, today declared his
love for the institutions of this coun-
try and his loyalty equal to that of any
American born. He declared his sur
prise that any person should Tor
moment suspect that any of the GER
man residents of Washington would
NOT fight for the United States if war
should come.
Il look to this as my country. he
said. II came to America when 4 BOY,
to visit an aunt whose husband, Capt
had a stepbrother who lost his life
in the civil war. Two of my rather
brothers were pioneers in the develop
ment of the west.
Those who may be doing lnteii1-
xence work for Germany in this coun-
try, as reservists, are German subjects,
and doing what they conceive to be
their duty to the fatheriand. We are
different We are Americans. Natu-
rally those of US who left mother
felt for Germany; but since the United
States became involved in a contro-
versy with Germany there has been no
question in my own mind but that L
would fight as any loyal American II
it comes to a contest in arms and Ger
many seeks any aggression against the
United States.
y have made by living in this coun
try / have raised my family here. l
am happy here Those who know me
realize that / am at heart n loyal and
true American. 7 believe that we who
have come from other countries have
better acquaintance with other races
and governments, and when we decided
to live and conduct our business In the
United States 1t is better evidence Of
our regard for this country and gov
eminent than the fact of others living
here through mere accident Of birth"
Calls Rumors Ridiculous
Ernest Gerstenburg. conducting a
restaurant at 1343 E street. says:
These rumors are too ridiculous to re-
ouire an answer. No man in Washing
ton is more loyal to the government
and navy know this best. I do not need
to prove myself true American citi-
zen. Ny record for more than thirty
five years proves it.
II have been more than thirty years
doing business IN this one place and
twenty EIGHT years a citizen. / am an
honorary member Of the Washington
Light Infantry for moro than a quarter
of a century. My certificate. the last
ever signed by Maj. Moore, is hanging
in my place of business. l am proud
of it. When the time comes. when the
country needs loyal supporters, there
will be none more ready to do all he
can than Ernest Gerstenburg."
An American, Born and Bred.
William F. GUIDE. former president of
the Chamber of Commerce and prorni-
nent in the business, financial and civic
life of the capital for many years. says
that the rumors are preposterous, as he
is really an American, born and bred
My life in Washington has been an
open book. My place of business, my
safe. my home-all / have are open for
inspection" he said.
Il have been a respectable and patrf-
otto citizen all my life. 1 was born in
Lynchburg, Va. and came to Washing
ton when two years old. My parents
were born in this country. Why any
one would suspect that could be any
thing than a most devoted American
patriot | cannot conceive.
The fact that I walked beside Pres
ident Wilson. carrying a large silk nag,
in the recent preparedness parade here
should speak for itself Still more re-
Gently ii was /. single handed, who Sc