Decorah-posten og ved arnen., 1918-06-18
II PROCLAMATION.
Governor Harding insists on his Au-
thority to prohibit Foreign Languages.

AElE TNOAAh n 1SN.
Governor Harding insists on his Au-
thority to prohibit Foreign Languages.
Dear SIR
For your information, we submit
the following copy Of circular letter
sent by Governor Harding 10 all
persons who have written him with
regard 10 the incorporation of the
foreign language proclamation. We
arc sending this copy to all members
OF the County Councils of Defense
and to all publishers of newspapers
III Iowa.
Should the publishers desire to print
the communication either in whole or
i'll part, we respectfully request that
Saturday afternoon. June 18th, be OBJ
served as the release date.
Yours truly,
STATE COUNCIL
OF DEFENSE.
Your communication of recent
date is before me. In this you make
some inquiry concerning the applica-
ton of the recent proclamation i'll
regard to the use Of the English Lam
guagc in this state.
Because of the fact that German
propaganda is being spread through
out our state in all foreign languages
and for the reason that there have
arisen in many places in the state
serious conditions because some were
speaking foreign languages, ! deemed
the proclamation necessary, and act
ing upon authority in me vested,
ISSUED the proclamation.
"A careful reading of the proclama-
ton, copy Of which is enclosed. and a
reasonable Interpretation of it, will
assure you that it does not hamper
the use of a foreign language for the
purpose Of reaching. where necessary.
the hearts of any people for patriotic
and various war activities.
mo offense should be taken by
loyal Americans Of foreign birth or
descent, for the proclamation in no
instance classes anyone with our COM
mon enemy. 1t is confined strictly to
the using Of foreign languages. all of
which are a medium of German
propaganda.
The Italians Of Des Moines, in a
signed resolution, have heartily en-
dorsed the proclamation. The Scan
dinavian churches of Sioux City have
decided to hold all their services in
the future i'll strict compliance with
the proclamation. The Bohemians of
Cedar Rapids. who were most vigor-
Gus in their protest, having come to
a full realization of the motive that
prompted the issuance of the procla-
nation and fully understanding the
Interpretation of it. have now with
drawn their protest and heartily en-
dorse the proclamatino. a broad and
unselhsh acceptance of the spirit of
the proclamation is of curse expected
from all.
The spirit in which the proclama-
ton is received is a good test of the
wisdom and necessity of it. The
sooner we learn to speak the English
language the better, and the closer we
confnc the use of any other language
To those who cannot speak the Eng
lish the greater will be the elimination
OF German propaganda iii our state.
The total elimination of the use
of foreign language II be accom-
plished in a few days but of necessity
must be brought about gradually and
by the realization that its misuse is
resulting in discord among our own
patriotic people and in giving our
enemies an opportunity to hinder the
work OF our government during these
critical times.
DO not place any credence in the
voice OF those who say the Governor
did not have any authority t o issue
the proclamation" | have plenty of
authority for the issuance of the
proclamation, and OF course plenty OF
authority for its enforcement.
II do not desire TO make trouble
tor any one and am satisfied that
whea the whole matter is understood,
and approached in the proper spirit,
there will be zone left in the state
who Will insist upon defying the
authority which issued the procla-
nation.
Some have suggested that it is a
sacrifice not to use a foreign language
exclusively. Already, Iowa has sent
III the neighbrohood OF 10000 boys
into the service of our country. Each
one of these boys has made a supreme
sacrifice. | am sure that none desire
To remain at home and complain that
they are making sacrifices when they
realize how much II means to these
young men who have left us.
Those who take the proclamation
in the spirit in which it was issued
will receive every help from me.
Those who stiffen their necks and
assume a defiant attitude will %injurc
themselves and our oountry's best
interests.
With the assurance that ! am de
handing neither the impossible nor
the unreasonable. | am sure you. as
a loyal citizen, will make every effort
and sacrifice necessary for the accom-
plishment OF lessening both pro-
Gcrmanism and local discord,
The proclamation will stand Take
II in the spirit in which is was issued.
In a short time. all will see the wis
dom of the movement started 70 have
one language throughout the state.
Cordially yours.
w. L. HARDING, Governor.
"P. S. I am appending a copy OF a
letter that | received from one
minister. which shows the spirit i'll
which the proclamation should be re-
ccivcd, and which il followed will
carly result in a complete compliance
with the proclamation"
Heretofore, In our church, the
foreign lnaguage service has been the
main service and the English a sort