The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-01-10
Metzdorff's Arrest


The pro-German statements of Metzdorff are
illustrative of the exaggerated ego of a German
sympathizer He is suffering from the hallucina-
ton which the Pan-Germans and Junkers have
successfully placed in the German mind. He can
not free himself from the baleful effects of the
theory that the Kaiser and his people are divine
~ chosen to teutonize the world and ingraft upon
it German kultur, even if the manifestations OF
that kultur are broken faith, smashed treaties,
pilaged sanctuaries, devastated cities, and willfu
acts Of barbarity.
Metzdorff and those who share his opinions
seem to be unable to understand their inconsist-
emit position They left Germany to enjoy the
benefits of greater opportunities in America.
They preferred the material advantages of the
United States to the untoward conditions of Ger
many. Dissatisfaction with the Kaiser's institu-
tons prompted their advent to this country.
Here they found greater opportunity to make
money than they did in their native country.
They liked American gold and American profits.
But that's where their love for their adopted
country ceased
They had no love for our institutions, our
form Of government, our people. They wanted to
exploit our advantages and still maintain their al
legiance to the country from which they came.
Metzdorff and his ik are types of the mercenary
spirit that loves conquest and fortune but refuses
allegiance to the land which enables them to en-
rich themselves.
One would believe that man like Metzdorff
would conclude:
IF came to the United States to make it my
home, to earn money, to better myself financially,
I owe debt of gratitude which must assert it.
self in loyalty to the flag under whose protection
am enjoying the benefits that daily come to me.
My duty now is to cooperate with the American
people to bring these democratic institutions,
with their principles of equal rights and equal
opportunities, to the land from which came. AL
though am not citizen, and cannot become one
so long as the war lasts pledge my heart and
hand to the winning of the war;
Metzdorff, however, nanifests a spirit of in
gratitude. Our institutions and our government
mean nothing more to him than opportunity to
make money easily. They do not invoke in his
soul spirit of loyalty and fidelity. He does not
accept them as boon as priceless heritage,
for which others fought and died, but as means
by which he can rake in money.
This is the attitude which the Pan-Geruaans
studiousy inculcated into the minds of the Ger
man people. They deplored the immigration of
openly argued that these men should be taught
to preserve their German customs, language and
habits in their home, so that they could be
depended upon to create internal unrest in case
Germany became involved in war with the
United States.
The Pan-Germans had no objections to letting
men Of Metzdorff's type go to the United States
to make money and then to return home with the
booty, swelling the German national wealth and
adding to its prosperity.
An understanding of the Pan-Gerrnan theory
will explain why Emperor William bestowed dis
tinction and honor upon former members of the
Germany army and navy who in1migrated to this
country and became naturalized. He wanted them
to remain friendly to their native land and in
close touch with it's masters.
The little acts of kindness which he bestowed,
the dispatch Of congratulatory letters, the send
ing OF old guns and uniforms, and the scores of
other manifestations of imperial graciousness
were in their last analysis only so many sops
thrown at these men for the purpose of ingratiat-
ing himself in their favor and Of using them as
tools in the furthering of his nefarious designs |
in our country.
Unwittingly they became agents Of the PAN
German scheme in the United States. Uncon-
sciously they serving an unseen but all pow