Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-25
DE- characterization WOUNDS
NOW CALL FOR RED CROSS AID
Studies by Foreign Language Service
Show How Great Was the oevasta-
tlon Wrought by Ignorant Hate
and Stupid officiaidom

VERY quietly. according to current ad-
vices from Washington, as a man settles
down to a hard and exacting task, the for
cisn Language service OF the American Red
Cross is preparing to undo some Of the harm
done through reckless propaganda and the
consequent general hysteria Of the war
period to the collective mind aud the spirit
of the United States.
Briefly, it may be said that the Red Cross
seeks to do reconstruction in areas devas-
tated by the storm Of ill-will OF sus-
picion and hatred and blind passion that
eliminated in the wild work Of Attorney
General Palmer and his espionage agents.
The war is over now. and it will be
wholesome experience for the people of this
country TO look backward calmly at some Of
the violent and illibera things that were
done in the name Of liberty.
Statistics aud general information OBJ
tanned by the American Red Cross show
that there arc in this country about IL 600,
600 people Of foreign birth more less
isolated from the life about them by the
barriers Of an unfamiliar language
1t is estimated by men who have taken
the trouble to look calmly into thc whole
matter that in this great multitude you
might find about 4O0.OOO who might be
classed as political free thinkers or radicals.
though the deep dyed Reds among them are
said to be very few
The other millions IL appears. often re
veal devotion TO America more ardent than
the devotion of the native born. Because
many of them have suffered and found refuge
here, they can experience a sense of graft
tudc and sort of faith and allegiance that
is found too infreuuently among people who
never have been able to judge America aud
things American by the law of contrasts
In calling attention 10 this characteristic
Of the average alien. officials Of the Red
Cross have been moved recently to remind
the country of recent events that did much
TO bewilder and disillusiou these strangers
within the gates. Russians who assembled
to celebrate the overthrow of the Car were
ridden down by the mounted police in New
York. Yet the leaders of these same people
were then advising them TO learn all about
two subjects which 20 Russian eyes remain
the most important in the United States
Abraham Lincoln and modern machinery.
One arm of the United States Govern
ment-the bureau of propaganda organized
during the wsr-brought the foreign born
together to hear lectures on Lincoln's work
and life and ideals and to study rudimentary
English. Another arm of the Government
the espionage section of the Department OF
Justice-often raided these meetings before
the addresses began.
There is record of Il college professor who
arrived at hall in New York to talk TO an
audience of eager aliens in the name of the
Government only to find the place sur
rounded by police.
Between the police and the foreign born
there was always the almost insurmountable
barrier and the instincts of mutual suspicion
sl...G
finding themselves in critical position,
know no common language. OF what really
went on in the alien mind during the war
period the country even now knows rela-
lively little. But it is fact that more
than one meeting Of foreigners. called to
bid proud good by to an cDlisted man of
their own race, was raided by Mr.. Palmer's
agents.
In those days it was supposed by some
people that the war could not be forced 10
a sure victory unless deep lines Of bate and
passion were cut to separate and isolate all
peoples and groups of peoples who happened
TO be Of different blood or ancestry. even
those people who had long before merged
their purposes. their sympathies and their
beliefs in general loyalty to principles Of
progressive. free and enlightened govern
ment. That work was pretty efficiently
done. Professional hate makers worked in
small armies with the most ctfectual Of in
strumcntslitics.
How long will it take to undo all this and
to permit men again to work and hope to-
getber as they once did? 4 generation. per.
haps. says the foreign language service of
the American Red Cross, and perhaps two
generations. How long a period will be
required to Americanize those whom the
bunders and passions Of the war days de-
Amcricanized?
The moral devastation done in this coun-
try by violent and ignorant propaganda is
something about which we might Justly COM
plain. if any imaginable war indemnities
could atone for damage Of the sort that was
done upon every hand. And some Of the
most earnest native Americans were swept
of their feet in the currents Of artifcinlly
created feeling and put to the work Of pro
fessional disturbers Of the worlds peace
The damage was done TO the roots Of our
national life and our national feeling
The wounds which the Red Cross is now
attempting to bind UP were inflicted close to
the heart of our own country. and none ever
tended on a battlefield was more painful