The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-04-03
DIR. KRUGER
ACCUSED IN
D|SLOYALTY
AFFIDAv|TS
Charges Placed Before De-
partment Of Justice Off,
cials-Resigns as Selective
Service Board Physician.
DENIES STATEMENTS

DR.. F. w. Kruger. physician on the
Richmond selective service board,
has forwarded his resignation to Gov
ernor Goodrich.
Charges have been preferred
against him, alleging disloyal state
ments and citing unpatriOtic remarks
he Is said to have made. Two affi-
davits have been filed against him
with the department Of justice.
DR.. krueger's removal from the Sc
lective service board was unanimous
ly recommended by the Wayne coun'
ty council of defense when the affi-
davits were filed with the depart
ment.
Substance of Affidavits.
In one Of the affidavits sworn out
Il Is declared that Dr. Kruger said
America could never whip Germany.
and that our investments were no
good.
He is further alleged to have said
that German submarines would de-
stroy our ships faster that we could
build them, and that they would
keep on coming through because
Germany could get plenty OF food
from Russia.
Ite ueCldIcu, dCSOAolhb W ShC "AAA
davit, that the American people were
too cosmopolitan to get an army CON-
ing right and that the military forces
of Germanys power could never be
broken.
Sees German Victory.
On one occasion in the office of the
the second affidavit. DR.. Kruger
70 differ.
ence how questions are decided con
cerning registrants Of this local
board, as the German army will be in
Paris within a week."
Later the same day, DR.. Kruger is
alleged to have said that Secretary
Baker was a liar If he claimed there
we're 100000 American soldiers in
Europe, as there were less than 200,-
900. And that the secretary had said
we had lot of airplanes in France,
when as q matter Of fact we did not
have any there.
Other Statements.
Continuing it's allegations the affi.
davit further states that DR.. Kruger
said that our turn was next, and that
we would need all our men at home.
That our men are not being trained
and that he had talked with soldier
from Hattiesburg. Miss. who claimed
that the men were not working and
1t was only play for them. That he,
DR.. Kruger, had told some people he
would have to be careful or they
would think he was pro-German.
Dr. Kruger. in his own defense, de-
clared that he does not remember max
ing any of the alleged statements. He
said that his patriotism has been so
intense that he was afraid we would
not accomplish what we should over
there. He claimed that he has invest.
ed money in liberty bonds and thrift
stamps, and says that he would GER
tainly never have done so unless he
considered the investment good one.
krueger's Statement.
Following is letter received by the
Palladium from DR.. Kruger Wednes-
day:
'I am aware that affidavits have
been presented to the State Council of
Defense through the Wayne County
Council Of Defense quoting statements
attributed to me which are considered
as disloyal to the United States. ask
space in your paper to deny these
charges OF disloyalty without quail
fication, and to assert absolutely my
devotion and fidelity to my nation and
Its interests.
1.-The statements which are quoted
were not my full sentences, but argu-
ments leading up to the conclusion
shared by many Of our best statemen.
writer's and speakers that our govern
ment should make greater haste to
overthrow the German menace. These
arguments rise out of purest loyalty
and adherence to the country's inter
ssts.
Denounces Germany.
II am an American and only an
American. When Germany violated
its treaty rights with Belgium I de-
nounced it utterly, and when 1t insu-
tuted such awful atrocities among its
opponents, took open issue and de-
clared that the nation must be con-
auered I have since aided in every
way uncompromisingly to that end.
81 have had only one view as to
Americas position in entering the war
which is that Of absolute right an3
Justice, and have believed that we.
with our allies, must win. and for this
view which ! have always expressed
freely, have no doubt been opposed
by some OF my friends. and have suf-
fered in my practice as physician.
81 have spent my life in this city for
I am a native-born American. | have
IContinued On Page Four.