New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
BY Mary Couthouy Smith, Of The
Vigilantes

During che Gays Of inglorious neu-
trality, when it was still presumed
that there were two sides to the in
ternational situation, number CT
books and pamphlets found their way
into our public Libraries which were
in effect special pleas for Gernany's
aims and conduct in the war. Active
propagandists took the opportunity Of
presenting their publications to the Ii
braries and having them placed on the
shelves as documents of timely inter
est. And it old not always occur to
the librarians to remove these things,
even after our own stand was taken
last April. Sometimes their presence
was sanctioned on the ground Of liberty
Of thought, freedom of speech written
or spoken, or just comprehension of
the spirit that we were fighting
against.
The contention of The Vigiiantes is
that these arguments, though express
ing certain fundamental truths, are not
applicable in the present crisis. Books
that deal with pre-war history or ex-
plain the psychology Of the combatants,
authoritative works or governmental
documents must of course be On view
but the things that can be called spe-
cial pleas, that condone or explain
away inhuman deeds and breaches of
national honor, or that grossly misrep-
resent nations and peoples, and dis
tort facts, should not be publicly sano-
toned, particularly while this country
is justly At war AS to freedom of
thought, Germany's acts during the
war are the best interpreters OF her
thoughts; and to excuse these acts is
to abandon all moral standards. We
would not allow a propaganda Of secret
vice or open crime to remain in any
place to which our children have free
access; nor should we leave open to un-
instructed persons series of false
statements calculated to undermine pa
trlotlsm, courage and clear convictions
The Newark Library
small pamphlet in a local library
discovered by member of the Vigi.
lantes, opened up the subject. Two
Libraries were investigated and certain
Objectionable relics of neutrality were
promptly removed by the Librarians
The real controversy began with the
Free Public Library of Newark, New
Jersey, where the librarian and trustees
voted to ignore the protest against
such books. The significance of this
controversy may be revealed by some
quotations from the works in question
First we have the open advocacy of Ger.
many. her ways and her rulers, as
freely expressed at the beginning of the
war. DR.. Edmund Won Mach. in Ger
manys Point Of View" thus extols the
Kaiser:
"lf God gives victory to the German
Austrian arms, complete and all-per-
vading victory, as we all pray He may
even those of US who are not German
provided we care more for culture OF
civilized humanity than for nationa.
vanlty-then, and only then, Europe
will enjoy hundred years of peace
and the wish Of the great and goot
prince, who has been so shamefuliy be.
trayed by his fellow princes, will vel
be fulfilled, more gloriously even and IL
manner which will exonerate Ger
many in the face of many slanderou:
ialsehoods. And he will be called tn.
Emperor of Peace even more appro
priately, for. with the help of God. h,
will have achieved this state of ueac,
as his very own handiwork."