El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-04-19
Nebraskans Drop Alien Tongues;
Children Must Be Taught English;
AmencGnisn1 And Prosperity Rule
Bv DAVID LAWRENCE
By DAVID LAWRENCE


OMAHA. Neb.. April 19-Nebraska
Oha just taken a step which shows
that while the war ended six months
ago. some Of the lessons taught by the
war have not been forgotten OF ig-
nored. but on the contrary have been
written into law.
When the United States decided on
-hostuiues. Nebraska. like other states
and communities. began to inspect her
population to discover the main
sources OF sympathy with Germany.
Out Of a population Of 100. 900. more
than 100000 were Germans. and a
large percentage born in central
Europe. Every man out Of II was an
alien enemy.
Also. IL was discovered that schools
were in existence where English was
never taught German was the Ian
guage spoken. Other schools were
conducted in Danish. Swedish and BO-
hemian. Most Of them were parochial
schools maintained either by the Lu-
therans or Catholics Now two laws
have been passed Of such FAR reaching
importance 10 the Americanization Of
America, that other states surely viii
be interested in them
First. there is the foreign Ian
EuaEe law, and. second. the pa
rochinI and private schools act.
Those prohibit the teaching OF any
foreign language in either public
or parOehinI schools IN this state
below the seventh grade. Pa
rOehiaI and private schools are
required 10 maintain n course
equivalent to that Of the public
schools. Inspectors In all schools
must be eertifieated- Religious
Instructions in any foreign Ian
gunEe is forbidden except on Sat
urduy and Sunday.
Any religion may be taught in the
English language on any day OF the
week in private or parochial. but not
in the public schools All schools are
under the jurisdiction Of the state su-
perintendent Of education No foreign
language can be used in public gath
erings except in lodges and churches.
This eliminates the foreign tongued
spellbinder and is as effective blow
as has been struck anywhere in
America against the Russian agita-
tors and BOlshevists who have been
working in different parts Of the
country. They can harrangue all they
like in Omaha-they believe in free
speech out here and they have L ".
VS. and Nonpartisan leaguers and
what not-but il must be IN the Eng
lish language
These laws were enacted by n
Republican legislature which sim
ply met the demand OF the Amer
ienns In the state that the children
of those who make their residence
here shall not be permitted to
grow up without being taught the
English language or American in
situations.
The legislature is considered radical
in many respects but in this it has
met the wishes OF all parties. OF
course. the private schools Of both
Protestant and Catholic denominations
didn't want TO be under control Of
the state, but there was no discrimina-
ton in favor OF either. All were in
the same boat so no religious issue
has come out Of the new legislation
Nebraska Is Pacific.
Nebraska is a pacific community
and didn't want to be involved in the
war, but is second 10 none in what
was done in support OF the war when
once declared The league Of nations
is very popular Folks did not stop
to analyze the first draft Of the COW
enant. they did not pick it to pieces