Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-01-16


lum tonight, Otto II. Kahn, of the bank
: ing firm of Kunn, Loeb & Co., of New
York City, said in part:
''The world has been hurt within
these past three years as it was never
hurt before. In the gloomy and accusing
procession of infinite sorrow and pain
which was started on that thrice oc
cursed day of July, 1914, the hurt in
: flicted on Americans of German des
cent takes its tragically rightful place
The iron has entered our souls.
injury Suffered by German Born.
We have been wautonly robbed of
Invaluable possessions which have come
down to us through the centuries; we
have been rendered ashamed of that in
which we took pride; we have been
made the enemies of those of our own
tblood; our very names carry the sound
of a challenge to the world. Surely we
have all too valid title to rank
amongst those most bitterly aggrieved
by Prussianism, and to align ourselves
in the very forefront of those who in
word and deed are fighting to rid the
world forever of that malignant growth.
"Heaven knows, | do not want, by
anything / may be saying or doing, to
add one ounce to the burden of the
world s execrate ON which rests already
with crushing weight upon the rulers of
Germany and their misguided people.
Nor do l seek forgiveness for my Ger
man birth by demonstrative zeal in ac-
tion or speech. / was and am proud of
the great inheritance, which came to
me as a birthright, and of the illustrious
sl.,fs I'll 4In
have made to the imperishable assets of
the world.
Shame Over Germany's Record.
81 do not apologize for, nor am l
ashamed of my German birth. But | am
ashamed bitterly and gricviously
ashamed-of the Germany which stands
convicted before the high tribunal of
the world s public opinion of having
planned and willed war; of the revolt
ing deeds committed in Belgium and
northern France, of the infamy of the
Lhisitania murders, of innumerable viola
tions of The Hague conventions and the
law of nations; of abOminable and per-
fidious plotting in friendly countries
and shameless abuse Of their hospitality;
of crime heaped upon crime in hideous
defiance of the laws of God and men.
81 cherish the memories of my youth,
but these very memories make me cry
out in pain and wrath against those
who have befouled and discredited the
spiritual soul of the old Germany i'll |
which they were rooted.
Long before the war / had come to !
look upon Prussianism as amongst the |
deadliest poison gr0wtns that ever
sprang from the soil of the spirit of
nan.
"When the war broke out in Europe,
when Belgium was invaded, L searched
my conscience and my judgment in sor-
row ana anguish, the powerful voice of
blood arguing against the still, small
voice of right.
Sins of Prussianism Told.
And it became clear to me to the
point of solemn and unshakable con-
viction that Prussianism, in mad infat-
uation, had committed the crowning sin
Of outraging and defying the conscience
of the world and of challenging it to
mortal combat, aud that the cause which
the Allies were defending was our cause,
because it was the cause of peace, hui
justice and liberty (aye, liber-
ty, even though Russia, then under au-
tocratic rule, happened to be arrayed
on that side, and even though diplo-
mats and rulers made that sacred cause
the basis and excuse for territorial bar
ter and spoils hunting.)
In accordance with this conviction,
| have acted and spoken ever since, but
| did not feel that it would be either
right or fitting for me publicly to state
and agitate my views as long as our
was neutral.
''Now, America, the never-defeated,
has thrown her sword into the scale, be-
cause to do so was Indispensable for
our honor and our safety, the preserva-
ton of our institutions and our very !
destiny. To cooperate towards the sue
cessful conclusion of the war is the
enc supreme duty of every American,
regardless of birth, of sympathies and
lf political views.
"The American of German descent,
who, at this time of test and trlal,
does not serve the land of his adoption,
with the utmost measure of single
minded devotion and with every ounce
Of his power, periured himself when
he took his oath of allegiance and
proves himself guilty of treacherous du.
picity. Thank heaven, the number of
those lukewarm in their patriotism, or
failing in loyalty, is very small, indeed,
far too small to affect the record OF
Americans of German birth for good
.it,zenshir and service to the country
n peace and war.
Majority Are Loyal.
"The1e is abundant evidence that the
,ver,yhe ming majority, indeed, all but
IN insignificant minority, meant what
hey said when they swore full and sole
,llenianoe to America, that they wall
,rrSe themselves wholly worthy of the
,igh privilege of citizenship and OF
he generous trust of their native fellow
itizens, and that they will not fail or
alter under any test whatsoever. They
viii not permit the blood in their VEINS
O drawn the conscience in their breast
rhev will heed the call of honor beyond
he call of race, They will wear as
,adge of honor-as l do-the abuse ana
pite of those few in this country who
owe Germany better than they love {
Ameriea.
"Yet, it is not enough for us Amerl'
ans of German descent to do our duty
" our coantry and our fellow citizens, {
ewever fully Snd unreservedly, if we
d il in resigned and oppressed silence
believe we should speak out. We must