Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-12

GOVERNMENT pROBEO RECORD
No Evidence of Reasonable Ac.
tion by Prof. Appelmann.
University Instructor Applied for CIT.
isenship Lons Ago-His Difficult
Position lmDels Free Press 70
Pubiish Facts Long Known.

committee OF alumni Of the University
OF vermont IL not the only Investigator
winch has tried Prof Anton H. Appel.
mann and found him not guilty. Tie
rrec Press learned on unimpeachable
authority long ago that the government
probed into Dr. Appelmann's record, both
mere and abroad. shortly after the sensa-
siona charges and insinuations against
him were published In a certain weekly
ana certain daily Of New York city, ana
discovered 10 evidence Of reasonable
ACTIVITY on his part. The facts were not
pun'iahed in the free Press Mt the time
they were learned, because 1t WIS thought
UNFAIR to anticipate the action Of the
BOARD OF trustees and unwise to keep UP
a discussion which had become too heated
to be Illuminating
DR.. Appeimann's record Is on file in
Washington in moro minute and
thorough.going form than the exhibits
used by the alumni committee or the con-
ciusions Of its membership. both COM
Dined. present. He IL not the only German
porn citizsn-in-the-making in this coun-
try In the public eye whose history has
peen so investigated and put on record
nevertheless. Dr. Appelmann has not been
interfered with in any way by govern
ment agents Of any sort.
These are not the only facts In the
possession Of this newspaper. but they
sunica The Free Press has had the ad-
vantage Of more complete information
than almost any Of the publications, not
to mention individuals. that have been
90 quick to condemn DR.. Appelmann be-
fore he has been proved guilty.
Or. Appelmann' himself has refrained
from allowing himself to he interviewed.
except through the university authorities,
Tor evident reasons.
APPLIED FOR CITIZENSHIP.
The only requirement Of prospective
recruits In either the regular army of
the United States or the National Guard
Is declaration of intention to become a
citizen. DR.. Appelniann applied for his
papers some time ago.
Nevertheless. newspaper comment has
made his position difficult II not unsafe,
In letter to Granville Howard of New
York city, U. V. NJ. 1885. and former
burlingtonian. Professor Appelmann
claims this and also says he has not been
given fair chance to present his case.
The letter follows:
This 10 to thank you most heartily for
the kind letter with the enclosure which
you sent to me on the 18th of
March. should have answ cred your let.
ter Immediately had 1t not been for my
absence on my spring vacation.
What you have to say about my case
IL just the same have felt all along and
wish they would give me a chance to
assure them that am heart and soul for
this country which like and love Just al
much as any one. But so far have not
been given the fair chance to say what
should like to say. You know that the
widest things have been said about me
! ana that papers Of the standard Of the
Boston Transcript seem to be at the dis
posal Of my enemies. At present my sit.
uation here Ia so bad that even my life
IL In danger as l have been informed by
| the people who know. wish Just as sin
cerely as anyone that a clear decision
might be reached: the sooner the better
III 1 am guilty and un-American I am
willing to go: II am found innocent and
II they will accept my solemn pledge to be
loyal and faithful to this country and the
University OF Vermont. let them see to 1:
that l can 20 about my work peacefully
without being disturbed nor disturbing
anyone else"