The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-04-08
Am riCan
~ - Corner

A number OF interesting sidelignts
| were flashed before members Of con-
gress during the events which led up
to the warning to American Legion
members throughout the country to
look out for new German propa-
ganda, published In The Legionnaire
last week, which deserve airing. At
the close of the last session Of the
executive committee fthe American
Legion Commander F. w. Galbraith
had sharp clash with Edmund Won
Mach, who had been conducting a
campaign for the withdrawal of
French black troops from the Ger
man zone Of occupation. He had
come to Washington to ask Mr.. CAL
braith to speak at a mass meeting
in New York February %.
The intense activities of the past
few weeks and the flooding Of the Of
fees of senators and representatives
with petition calling for action by
the United States to urge the with
drawal of these troops served to TO-
Gus attention at the meeting be-
tween Mr.. GaIbraith and Mr.. Won
Mach. The fact that the latter had
figured prominently in investiga-
ton Of German propaganda during
the war was recalled.
The commander of the American
Legion was told by Won Mach that
several member of congress. includ
Idaho, had promised to speak at the
protest meeting on condition that
the Legion commander would also
speak there. 1t developed that those
who had promised to speak had
made their engagements on no>such
conditions.
Mr.. Galbraith interpreted the ma
neuver as an effort to use the Ameri-
can Legion to cause a rift between
the United States and France in the
interest of German sympathizers in
this country.
81 told him." said Mr.. Galbraith,
that ne was making bold and au-
dacious attempt to use national or
ganization devoted to the service Of
the country to further purpose to-
which he had devoted is life."
Senators and representatives COM
mented on the many petitions that
had been received in their mail fos-
Itering this movement. The petitions
were, within singular, consistency,
directed from sources which were
distinctly of the German -hyphen va
riety. Several of the petitions were
identical in form indicating that they
were directed from central organi-
zation.
The incident also gave significance
to the recent charge made by Balm
bridge Colby, secretary of state, to
Frank B. Kellogg, senator from Min
nesota, to the effect that these petit
lions were part Of a general pro-
German propaganda. There was talk
Of an investigation, many senators be-
ieving that the German American AL
lance, which was believed to be ex-
tinct, Is raising its head in form of
a multiplicity Of organizations scat
tered throughout the country. Much
Of the outcry against the severity of
the indemnity imposed on Germany
by the sallied nations is believed to
have it's inspiration in these same
quarters.
Some of the literature received in
dicates the thorough organization of
the campaign. Among the pamphlets
Sylvester Vierecks 1.-THE American
Monthly" for January, an entire
and periodicals is cory of George
back page consisting Of an appeal
signed by Won Mach In behalf Of the
Campaign Fund Against the Horrors
Of the Rhine" The treasurer is DR..
Franz Koempel, New York city.
In this publication Won Mach as
serts that within the IL weeks pre-
vious TO publication no less than
$4,000 names had been signed to the
petitions. He disclosed that he
asked the American commission
Investigating Affairs in Ireland" to-
take up the matter of the colored
troops in France. but was told that
the committee was dealing solely
with Ireland.