Evening journal., 1918-03-23
pELAwAnE snouLp DE REPREsENTEp.

INVITATIONS have been issued by the Secretary Of the
Interior 10 the Governors OF the States. to the Chair
Of the State Defense Councils and to about three
hundred presidents Of corporations and Chambers OF
Commerce and other industrial leaders to meet with him
on Wednesday April g. Washington. for the purpose OF
considering the national plan Of Americanzatlon pro-
ected by the Department OF the Interior. Delaware
alny should represented properly at that meeting
The object Of the meeting Is to roach agreement
upon ways and means Of putting the plan into operation
through the instrumenaIiiy OF the State
and industrial establishments The Federal legislative
program will be fully discussed with the representatives
present This program calls for appropriation to bo
made to the United states Bureau Of Education for the
purpose Of rendering financial aid and other assistance
to the States Joining in concerted plan 10 Amercanze
the many millions Of foreign BIRTH who engaged in
the many industrial and commercial activities Of the
country.
The Department Of the Interior has recently entered
into Joint arrangement with the Council OF National
Defense whereby the national plan Of Amercanizaon is
put into effect all the United States through the
medium Of the forty-eght State Defense Councils and
great number OF county and local committees defense.
English the Language Of the United states the slogan
adopted under this plan.
Americanlzation is TO be dealt with measure Of
war for the purpose OF counteractng the antAmercon
propaganda among aliens large proportion OF which Is
being carried insiduousy within industrial plants.
The entire plan win be submitted to the industrial men
involving the human side Of industry.
The war aspects Of Americanization have impressed
themselves upon tho Government very forcefuly since
the United States entered the great conflict has been
found that i275O00 aliens registered under the Sc
iecve draft law Many OF these have been accepted for
military service but on account Of inability to speak
Enslish and tetacy unable to understand military
orders In English and therefore make training exceed
] ingly dinlcult in the cantonments.
Fire In grain elevators alone have Increased four
hundred per cent since the United States entered the
war while fires and explosions wilful damaging Of ma
chnery hampering the production Of materials and
other acts impeding the Governments activities have
frequently been traced TO aliens. Their ignorance Of
English them easy prey for German propagandsts
and potters who stirring up industrial difficulties
and misunderstanding 10 various sections OF the
try The Department has observed how many otherwise
friendly aliens have been made tools OF the enemy.
The Departments Investigations through the Bureau
Of Education show that lye million persons Of foreign
birth do not speak the English language; while three
million males Of military age. that Is from eighteen tc
forty years are unnaturazed and owe obligations
OF loyalty and support the United States As head Of
the Department under whose supervision come the In
terna affairs the country the Secretary OF the Interior
Is taking steps safeguard national unity and fur
ther insure unified people back Of the lighting line
Many prominent DelOwaresns already interested
in the Amercanlzaton movement and adequate Delaware
representation at that Washington meeting should d,
much to stimulate the work in our local Geld.