The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-04-05
GERMAN WHO FREELY
ADMITS HIS ENM|TY
Can't Defend the War Policy
OF the United States
WOULD RETURN HOME
Declares the Teut0nic Press in
This Country Should Be
More Critical

| ST. Paul, April S.-The Dispatch
publishes this story: William Krank-
enhagen, 657 East Fourth street,
| formerly circulation manager for The
Volkszeitung, now conducting mail
order business under the name OF the
Hagen Import company, 424 Metro
politan bank building, last night told
a committee of six citizens who wait
ed upon him at his home that he is
not in sympathy with the policies OF
the United States in the present war;
that he owes his allegiance to Ger
many, would not defend this country
against an invasion by the Germans,
and that he would return to Germany
if given an opportunity to do so.
His case has been reported to the
Department of Justice by the COM
mittee which called at his home fol-
lowing the report by loyal citizen
that Krankenhagen had a picture OF
the kaiser hanging in his home and
was radically pro-German.
The picture was turned over to the
committee, but it proved to be hand
drawing of another German officer
Asked whether he was in sympathy
with the United States in the war
Krankenhagen is reported as having
replied:
81 am not"
He is said to have replied affirm
atively, however, when asked if he
is in sympathy with Germany.
Today he modified the first reply
by asserting he was not in sympathy
with all the policies of this goven-
ment in the war.
Can't Turn Anti German.
In reply to the second question he
told a Dispatch reporter:
81 owe my allegiance to Germany
| am not a German American, and
| it is too much to expect subject of
Germany to turn anti German even
in view of the present circum-
stances"
The committee last night asked him
| why he came to Amecira, and he is
alleged to have replied: '"To make
money"
He contradicted this answer today
saysing:
81 came to Canada about eight
years ago to broaden my education
and | came to American at the out
breaking of the war because of condi-
tions in Canada. l am earning an hon
est living, but | did not come here
merely for the purpose of making
money. When | was asked whether
| should not return to Germany, re-
piled that l would return there il
given a chance
Members of the committee said
krankenhagen asserted he would re-
turn to Germany if provided the mon
ey or tickets. He denied this today
saying he has the money to buy the
tickets if other arrangements were
possible.
Well Treated Here.
To Dispatch reporter today he
repeated the assertion that he could
not conscientiously defend the United
States against an invasion by Ger
many.
II am not forcing my views on any
Dody else." he said. 81 believe there
are Americans in Germany who are
no more German than / am
American at the present time. / am
Well satisfied with the manner in
which the American government and
the American people have treated me-
and l hope Americans are as well
treated over there"
Concerning Americas war policies
and the attitude of the German press
in this country he said:
Il believe the German press should
reserve the right to be more critical,
Some German papers are more loyal
than many American publications.