Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-19
FOREIGN LANGUAGES

There is no subject in connection with which the ten
dency toward war hysteria is more strongly in evidence
than in connection with the use of foreign languages in
the United States. This tendency is strongly shown in an
article in McClures by Porter Emerson Browne, in which
the statement is made bluntly that 1.-The first step toward
Americanizing America is the abolition of the foreign
language press" Mr.. Browne lays at the door Of the for
egn language press a very large proportion of the ills
which we suffer, and he sees no hope for the country go
long as the publication of newspapers in any other than
the English language is permitted. ~
1t is certain that a most insidious German propagan-
da has been conducted through the German language pa
pers in this country. 1t may be admitted that there has
been a lack of loyalty on the part of some papers pub
lshed in some other languages. But if Mr.. Brownies ar
ticle is to be taken at its face value we must conclude
that disloyalty to America has characterized practically
all the foreign language papers in the country. Such a
charge is absurd, and it is amazing that a writer of note
should make it, and that a reputable magazine should
publish it.
Because some foreign language papers have been
conducting in their own way a war against the United
States all papers published in foreign tongues are to be
abolished. On the same theory, because dlsloyal and
seditious utterances have been made in the columns Of
some of the English language papers, the publication Of
newspapers should be discontinued entirely. And, to pur-
sue the subject just a little further, because people some
times talk sedition, all conversation should be prohibited.
The suggestion has been made that articles dealing
with military or political subjects, when published Il. a
foreign language. at least during the war, should be. a-
conpanied by an English translation. That suggestion
appears to US to have some merit, but to be a decidedly
,debateable one. But, beyond that, interference with the
desire Of any person in America to express himself in
any language that suits him would be an absurdity.
Tho United States is not going to adopt a policy Of
narrow exclusiveness either now or after the war. We
are not going to shut our doors in the faces Of other peo-
pie, any more than other nations are going to shut their
doors on US. Foreigners who wish to come to the United
States will be welcomed as transient guests il they do not
wish to remain permanently, and will be admitted to cit
izenship If they wish to become citizens. always on condi-
ton that in character they measure up to the require
mente which We shall believe it reasonable to establish.
AS to those who remain and do not become citizens, they
will be given the protection Of our laws, and will be re-
CURED to obey those laws. There will be no restrictions
on tho style Of clothing they wear. the food they eat, or
the language they use, so long as they do not become Of
fensive or injurious to the community. Such privileges
are given generally by one civilized country to the citizens
Of another, and this custom will be followed here.
The English Language will remain the language Of
the country. 1t will be used in all official communica-
tions. Teaching in all the common schools should be con-
Quoted in that language. But there should not be, and
we do not believe there will be. any restrictions on the
language which may be used among individuals. wheth.
er orally. in books and pamphlets or in newspapers.