The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-11-27

pose. ne LOOK liz lteu Oi iNc trlu-
ate paid or implied by his com
panions, he offered no protesta-
tons or thanks, he showed neither
vanity or humility. Bruce's re-
spect for his achievements grew
to admiration OF his personality.
4 while age. Gin, you spoke of
my control OF many enterprises
Noel spoke at last. Let me speak
Of that now. Il is generally sap
posed that | engage myself in
these affairs 10 make money. That
is true. 1t is also true that | could
have made as much more money
with less risk and labor by concen-
trating my investments IN a few
undertakings. This is not a new
thought to me. nor a matter Of
doubt. After the diamond mines
were discovered, | had that prob
lem up before me and decided it
The problem?'' Ferraz hest
tated.
THE problem of combating as
far as one man a the German
lying of our state. OF combating
an insidious propaganda which
might eventually bring upon our
own state, the final disgrace of Sc
cession from the republic, to be-
come a nominally independent
country, but really a German de-
tendency. You look ineredulous.
Come then, Senior Ferraz, outside
of our estates and vast holdings
Of land and, name to me one COM
pany in our state-commercial,
mining, railroad, or river trans
portation-in which the citizens of
our republic control the majority
of stock"
Surprised the old man hesitat-
ed, then began to name a list.
"Thank you," Noel checked
him. Do you know that in each of
these companies I am interested?"
eyes, Senior Noel"
"The enterprises you have not
named are chiefly controlled by
Germans. Some of these, like
Jacinto Meyer, claim to be
citizens by birth. Some are
naturalized citizens, many are
frankly foreigner: But they are
all one in mind and intent; they
work together. They r specious,
insinuating. They live among us,
sometimes they marry among us;
always they exploit us and, despise
us IN their hearts. They would! eat
the fruit and leave us the rind.
Their influence is concentrated,
our peoples is diffused. Few Of
us, living in the calm serenity Of
our states almost as each in a,little
of his own, have thought
seriously Of opposing this adj
vancing wave. / have found
many willing to discuss this, few
willing to take action against the
invasion. It does not please you,
Gil, if / say our country is pass
ing from our hands,"
Granados moved angrily in his
seat.
EDO not say it, David!"
"Yet, it has been so Gil. It may
still be So"
What did you do, then?"
Il gave the German influence a.
rival, at least" Noel answered.
: After the diamond mines were
returned to the state, I had the
benefit of some popularity. When
1 advanced a railway company
a line of river boats, many peo-
pie were eager to favor them also.
l chose to draw to us and encoure
age interests and capital from
France and the United
of America. I did not
campaign, against the Germans
but no Teuto was admitted into
enterprise in which I had a
voice. OF course, you all compre-
bend no one man could handle
alone these various develoments
Of which you know. | nevenimag-
med doing so. But I could and did
draw III own citizens into,aaunion
with me, and formed a ceneentrat-
ed power. Now, for every Ger
man company there is one that
may be called ours. Tie. balance
of power is at least more equal"
And all these years you have
been doing this work. unaided,
while you were, busy. i'm states
manship and managing your es-
~tates,o exclaimed SENIOR Ferraz.
1T is celossall!!,s'-
No, because 1 ann not alone
Noel reminded him. "Of many
companies, only their reports and
meetings concerned me. Yet there
IS much labor, as poor Milo might
witness, and as MIR. Bruce is learn
ing. There are the interests Of
our citizens to be cared fer; no
must say he invested where
David Noel advised, and lost. And
there have been losses! When the
great Reservoir project failed. for