Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-04-15
CHANGING GE RMAN A N

There is more or less agitation in this country in
1Ivor OF changing the names of American cities and VIII
lagos to which the names of German persons or places
have been attached. OF course tho purpose is to give
evidence, in some concrete form, OF our detestation Of
Al things which are even remotely associated with the
cause for which the German nation. and especially the
German government, is fighting. Ono writer of some
note. In urging that this change he made. writes Of tho
German propaganda which used the naming of towns
- one Of spreading German doctrine and tendencies Of
thought.
We fear that this writer has permitted his laudahlc
desire to promote the cause Of democracy to carry him
OF his feet. A German propaganda Of the most In
eddious character has been carried on In this country for
years. There are abundant evidences Of the fact that
German agents have been at work In the United States
for Q long time trying to create and organise sentiment
favorable to the ambitious Prussian junkerism a. op-
posed to Americanism. with the intent that when tho
time came for the use Of this sentiment in the great war
which Germany has all along intended to precipitate,
this sentiment would stand its creators In good stead.
All this Is admitted. But II this propaganda has in
Guided giving German names to American places. no
evidence of that fact has been presented up to date.
1t is true that many of our places are known by
German names. Why not? 1t would be remarkable
were this not true. Our cities and villages are known
by names derived from practically every other country
on earth. and 1t would have been strange indeed had
herman names been omitted. FOR the sake OF con-
venience places must be known by names of some sort.
In designating them We use names already in existence,
or invent now ones. immigrants from Europe. settling
In large or small groups in this country. quite commonly,
and very naturally and properly. gave to their settle
ments the names Of persons or places familiar to them
in their homo lands. Thus we have English, Scotch.
Irish. Scandinavian. French. Italian. ana a variety OF
other names. including German. The fact that such
names have been chosen is no more evidence OF propa-
ganda in the one case than in the other.
The advisability OF changing all or any Of these
names is another matter. Generally 1t must be consid-
cred q matter to be decided in the light OF local condi-
tons, AZ . rule. we believe. tho name OF a town sug-
sssts 70 those who hear 1t the town itself rather than
the source from which the name was derived. In that
connection tho case Of the capital OF our own state comes
to mind. Some months ago there was a little spasm of
interest to give some other name to the seat Of govern
msnt in North Dakota The subject failed to arouse any
treat amount Of interest, and whatever interest was at
first manifested waned. The original discussion ap-
psared to he based on tho idea that the naming Of the
capital was something controlled by the state. We be-
usse this is q mistake. we know Of no reason why. il
the people of Bismarck should choose some other name
for their city. and could set the postonace department
70 accept the new name for the postofice. the change
could not be affected without SAYING "by your leave" to
the people Of the rest Of tho state. 1t is possible that
the legislature might have some jurisdiction In the mat
ter, but It might take a constitutional amendment to give
the state Jurisdiction.
In any event. there are matters Of much more i'm
pertance on hand Just now. 1t will be as well to leave
the naming OF places to those who. because Of their local
surroundings. may be supposed to be particularly inter-
ested. and to devote the energy thus saved to Liberty
bonds and other things which have a direc. bearing on
the winning Of the war.