Evening star., 1918-06-28
|NTERNED GERMANS.
JUSTIFY AMERICA
Say U. S. Had to Enter War
to Protect Her Com
merciaI Interests.
THEY DO NOT HATE US
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Copyright. 1918, by n. Y. Evening Post Coz
HOT SPRINGS, N. c., June 2S.-Most
of the Germans interned here for the
duration of the war frankly say they
believe the United States was justified
in entering the Europeah conflict. Only
they give as justification a reason
hardly complimentary and at variance
with the real causes. They believe
America had right to enter the war
in fact, was compelled, they think. to
do so-to protect her commercial inter-
ests. A war for ideals and In defense
OF invaded rights on the seas is still too
abstract matter for the German mind
termed here, who have lived a good
while in the United States, know very
well why we took up arms. To them
the whole thing was a terrible mistake.
and to them, too, 1t grows increasingly
evident every day just what the conse-
quences must be of Germanys indiscre-
ton In driving a peaceful nation like
the United States to war.
For, while there is still an under
tone of confidence among the Ger
mans here that Germany will win, this
Is predicated on the notion that the
central powers will force England
and France into peace negotiations
before the power of the United States
Is effectively exerted. But of the
power of America the Germans here
have no doubt. Indeed. it is interest
ing to observe the effect of American
war preparations on the 1000 intelli-
gent Germans, with sympathies ex-
actly like those of the people now in
Germany, but with a much more accu-
rate idea of what is going on in
America.
Dependency in Camp.
There was jubilation. to be sure, last
July and August. when the subma-
rines were exacting heavy toll. The
Germans here believed it would all be
recent German offensives, however,
they were intensely Interested, but on
the whole seemed disappointed, if
anything. Dependency reigns in the
camp, and those who talk with the
Germans from day to day attribute
war measures. Trainload after train
load of American troops pass by
here every day, in full view of the
Germans. Cannon and war material
and an endless procession of war
freight destined to seaboard makes an
impressive sight. On top of this the
Germans know from the American
newspapers which they read that 900,-
900 American soldiers are in France.
and shat millions more are going over.
the submarines to the contrary not
withstanding.
No longer do the Germans here
dream Of a speedy ending. They be-
lieved the allies would be beaten by
summer, but summer Is here. and the
entente is unbeaten. and fresh and
powerful belligerent is entering the
lists. Yet there is relatively little
bitterness here against America. All
the hate and feeling seems to be con-
centrated still against the English.
About the only cheering news that
these Germans gets, incidentally. is in
more or less regularly. One Of the
Americans who censors this mail, and
has been reading about 1000 letters
a month for the last year. says the
resnectinE economic conditions in
Germany, some letters giving the i'm
preston Of serious shortage OF food
and others referring to the food sup
ply as not inadequate. But he tells
statement as to unbroken German mo-
raIe and stanchness Of spirit. not
withstanding the hardships and large
casualties.
Strict Censorship.
OUTGOING mail is strictly censored.
The Germans are permitted to write
Twice n 3 week, and letters of not more
than two pages in length. They can
correspond only with their nearest
, relatives, and are not able to write
about anything except their own per-
sonal affairs and treatment.
Eut while their letters might pass
the American censor. there is no tell
Ing what the German censor will do
| to the correspondence when it reaches
Germany. For the Germans interned
here could tell many an interesting
| thing, for instance, about democracy
| in their own camp. to the folks back
homo.
| There are seventy sea captains, scores
of chief engineers, second and third off,
GERS, pursers, doctors. chief stewards
and cooks, wireless operators. electri-