Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-20
ASSERTS ALLIANCE
ISPATR|OT|C BODY
German-American 0rganiza-
ton Defended by Its Presi-
dent Before Committee.
JUSTIFIES HIS PROPAGANDA

A general defense of the patriotic
character of the National German
American Alliance against charges OF
disloyalty was made yesterday before
a Senate judiciary subcommittee by the
Rev. s. G. Won Bosse of Wilmington,
Del. president. who asserted the alli-
ance has no connection with the Ger
man government or the German people
and that its influence has always been
directed toward keeping alive German
ideals and to fostering loyalty to this
country.
The committee has under considera-
ton a resolution by Senator King of
Utah which would revoke the federal
charter of the organization because of
it's alleged disloyal utterances and ac-
tivities.
THE alliance has never entertained
even the remotest official connection
with the German government or the
German people," Mr.. Won Bose said.
ut is sinon-pure American organiza-
ton, existing only for those living in
this country, having American patriot
ism. American loyalty and American
love for liberty written upon its BAN
ners"
He was interrupted several times in
submitting his prepared statement by
committee members for cross-examina
ton.
Position on Lusitania Sinking.
what have you said in condemna-
tion of the sinking of the Lusitania?"
Senator King asked.
The Lusitania was sunk before the
United States went to war with Ger
many" the witness replied.
Didn't you justify it?'
of
IT." he replied. Il took the view be-
fore the United States went to war
that Americans should not go on bel
ligerent vessels carrying munitions
Letters written by Mr.. Won Bose to
Wilmington newspaper after the
European war broke out, justifying
GermanyS invasion of Belgium. were
read. The witness admitted having
written the letters. saying he did not
believe at that time that Belgium was
neutral
Senator Wolcott of Delaware wanted
to know about some articles by Mr.
Won Bosse. referring to the work of
hese grand. busy old Berthas" in
tserrnany.
whose grand. busy old Berthas which
dropped bombs on hospitals and ca
tnedrals and defenseless communities"
Suggested Senator King,
Written Before o. S. Entered War.
Mr. Won Bose defended his articles. say
ing they were written before the United
States entered the war. He did not hesi-
tate in admitting that before the United
States went to war he carried on propa-
ganda work. and that the alliance and
himself personally opposed the United
States becoming belligerent-
Our efforts to keep the United States
out of the war" he said. was call of
the blood, because We believed Germany
to be waging war of defense
Mr.. Won Bose defended the actions of
C. ]. Hexamer of Philadelphia, the first
president of the alliance.
His father served CALAMITY in our civil
war, he said, land the son, born in
America. is truer and better American
than thousands whose lip patriotism
noisily Jars the clouds"
The witness declared the alliance has
incurred the hatred of Anti-Saloon League
officials because of its stand against pro-
hibition, and he attributed some of the
charges against it to that source.
Mr.. Won Bosse viii resume his testimony
probably tomorrow. Adam Timm of Phil
adefphia, secretary of the alliance, is to
take the stand this afternoon.