Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-02-19
V|ERECK'S VERSION
Of INTERVIEW WITH
HARDING IS DENIED
Committee Asked Separate
Peace With Huns, With
drawaI of u, S, Troops in
Germany, Release of Debs
By ROBERT r. SMALL
Ieased Wire Service to The Journal

ST. AUGUSTINE. Fla. Feb. 49,
1t is possible for the writer to dis
close just what the delegation of
GermanAmerican citizens. headed
by George Sylvester Viereck. asked
of Senator Harding when they ap-
peared before him this week in st.
Augustine. Mr.. Viereck, it will be
remembered, came into considerable
notoriety at the time congress can
celled the charter of the German
American Alliance in 1918. and the
activities of pro-Germar societies in
many states were suppressed.
Senator Harding has declined to
discuss the call of Mr.. Viereck, and
several of his associates in the new
German-American citizens league
further than to say that inasmuch
as he is to be president of all the
people, he would be glad to receive
any American with a mission.
Mr.. Viereck, of his own initiative,
issued a statement, however, in which
he said:
'The committee left Senator -Iar-
ding with the conviction that we may
| look forward not only to an imme-
date, but a just and equitable peace
| with Germany; that the new admin
istration will protect all American
rights and place on plane Of abso-
| Tut equality all American citizens"
Statement Denied
| The statement further says the
president-elect received the commit
tee in "the most cordial manner"
and Showed he had given much
profound thought to the problems in
Volved."
Mr. vierecl1's statement is denied
at Harding headquarters, where 1t
was said that Mr.. Viereck and his
associates had sought the interview,
Is any event this is what the COM
mittee asked:
1. That Americans of German birth
should participate equally with their
fellow citizens in the government Of
our country"
2. Immediate peace with Germany
and the rejection of the Infamous
peace of Versailles.
| 3.sA protest against the French an
nexation of the ancient German
provinces of Alsace-Lorraine."
4. Immediate withdrawal Of the
American forces from the occupied
portions Of Germany.
S. Condemnation of British action
in Ireland as. "in violation of the
principles for which American blood
was shed and American treasure Law
ished in defense of the British en-
pire during the world war"
6. Condemnation Of the attempt
to embroil this country in war
with Japan for the benefit Of Great
1 Britain
Ask Debs' Release
z. Repeal Of the Panama canal toll
bill which it has been said would
be a violation Of our treaty with
Great Britain.
8. Opposition to entangling alli-
ances respectfully any alliance with
Great Britain
9. Investigation Of the government
handling of alien property is de-
manded.
TO- The immediate release of Eu-
gene V. Debs.
II. Attacks against citizens of
German descent should be resented.
IL. Prohibition. is condemned as
a breeder Of death. corruption and
contempt for the law"
10. A study of immigration in a
liberal spirit" was urged.
Mr.. Viereck declared that these
requests expressed the consensus of
opinion Of patriotic and progreS-
sive americans of German blood on
vital issues confronting Mr.. Har-
ding's administration"
Mr.. Viereck aGded further, the COM
mittee feels that Mr.. Harding will
do everything il his power to allay
| the racial hatreds and rrejudices Gre
ated by the war to reunify our nation
and to make his administration an
era of good feeling, both at home
and abroad.