The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-05-27
German Church Complying With Text
Of II While Swedish Min.
ister is Taking
Defensive.
SAYS ACTION IS ILLEGAL
School Authorities Peruse the Proc
lamation to Determine Whether
Study Should
Be Cut.
kEokUk RESULTS

NGONOk RESULTS
OF GOVERNORS EDlcT
School authorities unable to place
Interpretation upon order demanding
teaching Of nothing but English in the
schools, early today.
St. Paul's church. Eleventh and Ex-
change streets, begins all English
services for first time, Sunday
The Rev. Swan c. Franzen, pastor
Of the Swedish Lutheran church. takes
issre with proclamation by saying the
governor has not power to order dis
continuance of foreign languages.
Keokuk church and educational in
stitutions have set about to place an
exact Interpretation on the order of
the governor to discontinue the public
use of any other language but the
English.
German Churches Observe.
German speaking church institu-
tons are observing the order
st. Paul's Evangelical church at
Eleventh and Exchange streets, began
yesterday the use of all English serv-
ices, A vote to dispose Of German
spoken services was passed several
weeks ago by the officers Of the insti-
tuition. The Rev. August G. Ernst is
pastor of the church. He is not in
the city at the present time.
St Mary's Catholic church at Four
teenth and Johnson streets, has been
using the English language for some
time. No German is spoken in that
institution
Swedish Pastor Takes Stand.
One Swedish minister, the Rev.
Swan G. Franzen, pastor of the
Swedish Lutheran church, Twelfth
and Morgan streets took direct issue
with the governors proclamation.
This order from the governor is di-
rectly against the constitution OF the
United States" the Rev. Mr.. Franzen
declared. The constitution of the
United States says that the governor
has no right whatsoever to interfere
with church rules and regulations.
Such a change named in this procla
nation must come legally.
Says Serious Thing.
eve are an organized church. Legal
notification of any such change must
be made to the various pastors them
selves The first notification must go
to the general chairman Of the con-
with the pastors.
This proclamation of the governor
is a serious thing. There are many
churches in Iowa attended almost en-
tirely by old people from Sweden
who have been in this country. but
a short time. If services cannot be
held in Swedish they will have to
their religious meetings,
for Swedish is the only language the
old people undertand.
Trying to Abolish It.
LAS the young people grow up we
are trying to abolish the use of the |
Swedish language in the church as |
fast as we can to meet all require !
he said
Swedish Lutheran ministers when |
ordained take an oath that they will !
preach nothing Of political nature |
from their pulpits." said the Rev. |
Mr.. Franzen. Therefore we are per-
mitted to say nothing about the war |
from the pulpits.'
Mr. Franzen came to this country i
fifty years ago. He served sixteen
years in Connecticut church before ,
coming to Iowa.
School Heads Study Order.
Public school authorities had not /
placed an Interpretation on the order
from the governor, today, said Will
liam Aldrich, superintendent of
schools.
Several students in the high school
who are required to take German to
make their credits had expected to
complete the term in that study. /
Whether the teaching Of the Hun
language will be Immediately cut off
could not be said early in the day ~
school officials.