The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-01-17

Power.
Milwaukee, Wis, Jan. 13.-Speak-
ing before a mass meeting in the
Auditorium tonight, MI. Otto H
Kahn. OF the banking firm of Kahn.
Loeb < Co. of New York, said in
part:
The world has been hurt within
these past three years as it was new
er hurt before. In the gloomy anu
accusing procession of infinite sor-
row and pain which was started on
that thrice accursed day of July,
1914, the hurt inflicted on Americans
of German descent takes its tragi-
cally rightful place. The iron has
entered our souls.
We have been wantonly robbed of
invaluable possessions which have
come down to us through the CEN
turtles; we have been rendered
ashamed OF that in which we took
pride; We have been made the enc
mics of those of our own blood; our
very names carry the sound of 4
challenge TO the world. Surely we
have all to valid a title to rank
amongst those most bitterly aggri-
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, I do not want, by
anything l may be saying or doing,
to add one ounce to the burden of
the worlds eXecration which rests
already with crushing weight upon
I'll Of - he;
misguided people. Nor do | seek for
giveness for my German birth by
demonstratiye zeal in action or
speech. l was and am proud of the
great inheritance which came to me
as d birthright, and of the illustri-
Gus contributions which the German
people have made to the imperish-
able assets of the world.
Until the outbreak of the war, in
1914, l maintained close and active
personal and business relations with
Germany. l was we'll acquainted
with some of the leading personages
of the country. l served in the Ger
man army thirty years ago. l took
an active interest in furthering Ger
man art in America.
| do not apologize for, nor am i
ashamed of, my German birth. But
| am shamed-bitterly and griey-
ously ashamed-of the Germany
which stands convicted before th.ss
high tribunal of the worlds publiS-
opinion of having planned and will
ed war; of the revolving deeds COM
mitted in Belgium and northern
France. of the infamy of the Lusita-
MIA murders, Of innumerable viola-
tions of The Hague conventions and
the law of nations, of abominable
and perfidious plotting in friendly
countries and shameless abuse
their b espif ALT Y, af c-i,ss isee;
upon crime in hidecus defiance y
the laws of God and men
| 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 soil of the
old Germany in which they were
rooted.
Long before the war l had come to
look upon Prussianism as amongst
the deadliest poison growths that
ever sprang from the soil of the
spirit of man.
When the war broke out in
Europe, when Belgium was invaded,
| searched my conscience and my
judgment in sorrow and anguish, the
powerful voice of blood arguing
against the still, small voice of
right.
And it became clear to me to the
point Of solemn and unshakable
conviction that Prussianism, in mad
infatuation. had committed the
Growing sin of outraging and defy
ing the conscience of the world and
of challenging it to mortal combat,
and that the cause which the Allies
were defending was our cause, be-
cause it was the cause of peace, hui
manity justice and liberty (aye, lib
erty, even though Russia, then un-
der autocratic rule, happened to be
arrayed on that side, and even tho
diplomats and rulers made that sac
red cause the basis and excuse for
territorial barter and trade 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 pub
licly to state and agitate my views
as long as our country was neutral.
Now, America, the never-defeated,
has thrown her sword into the scale,
because to do so was indispensable
for our honor and our safety, the
preservation of our institutions and
our very destiny To cooperate to-