New-York tribune., 1921-02-10
Chief
Gusts German
Propaggandist
Galbraitl1 Resents Plea
by Won Mach That u. S.
Veterans John Movement
Directed Against France
Expels Him From Room
Says Ex-Prussian Army Man
Wants Negroes Taken
From Occupation Forces

From THE Trsoune's Washington Bu-ea9
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-National
Commander Frederick W. Galbraith jr.,
of the American Legion, tonight or
dered from his room in the Washing.
ton Hotel here Edmund Otto Won Mach
former lieutenant in the imperial Ger.
man army and active as a pro German
propagandist during the war, after Won
Mach had made a proposal to him to
join movement directed against
France. The movement was TO be a
protest to France against the retention
of Moroccan and Algerian troops in the
army of occupation in Germany
Declaring the attempt to be SEQ
lossal piece of effrontery and a palpa-
bic effort to use the veterans of Amer
lea as wedge, splitting America and
the French Republic" Commander Gal
braith ordered Won Mach to leave his
room. The particular statement by the
former German officer which caused the
outburst from the Legion executive
came after Galbraith had asked him:
eco to He'll, Won Machy''
"Due to the fact that we are still at
war with Germany, do you not think
that such activity by US might have
bad effect"
"It might cause break between the
United States and France" was the re-
ply by Won Mach, "but as the matter
has been introduced before the Foreign
Relations Committee of the Senate and
hearings will be held when am ready,
producing further protests, I feel that
your protest will properly represent
the spirit of America toward France,
particularly if the American Legion
joins hands with u.s."
"The American Legion" Galbraith
reminded his visitor, "is dedicated to
service and the preservation of the
Union. With our allies we fought a
Common enemy"
"That's what you thought" was the
reply.
"Further," the commander went on,
eve fought to abolish the military rule
of Germany
Again Won Mach replied:
'IhatS what you thought.
Commander Galbraith rose from his
chair and stood over his visitor.
"You can 60 to hell, Won Mach" he
told him. "The American Legion will
never permit itself to be used by such
as you'll"
Won Mach reached for his hat and
coat and beat hasty retreat. Gal
braith followed him to the door, and,
throwing it open, ordered him to Get
out, and get quick!" with the following
parting shot:
eve shall confidently leave the dis
position Of the French troops in oc-
cupied Germany to the Marshal of
France"
Resents Siur at France
When Colonel Galbraith was seen
after his interview with Won Mach he
denounced the effort as one Of the
in this country since the declaration of
war.
"This man." he said, "came to this
hotel to-day while was presiding over
the executive committee of the Amer
lean Legion, composed of veterans Of
the war in this country, whose chief
concern now is the proper care of the
comrades MANNED by German bullets.
He made preliminary criticism of
Il rance DGCduSc VI VIC VI SO1-
ored troops in that country's army of
occupation and then made this proposal
to me:
"He asked me TO be the principal
speaker at meeting he proposes to
hold in Madison Square Garden, New
York, on February %, at which thou
sands of people of Germanic origin
will gather in protest against Frances
military policy in Germany.
"He had the effrontery to tell me
that by consenting | would accomplish
two hings-reestablish the American
Legion in the hearts of people of Ger
manic origin, thereby setting an ex-
ample for the world, and that people
of German extraction would rally to
the cause of the disabled American
veterans, because they had the great
est love in their hearts for Americas
wounded In other words, l was to
barter our honorable obligations TO
France for the promises of his German
frie0dap -