The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-09-18
STACKER IS
LOSING
FAVOR
German Newspaper Warns
Against Allowing Kidnapping
Incident to Be Praised.
BY MINOTT SAUNDERS,
international News Service.

go
Down here where the Wurz-
burger flows there are two dis
tinguished American boys in cap
tivity. Each is heroic or no
torious, according to the point OF
view. Each is being carefully
guarded that no harm might come
to him. Each is serenely content
with what he has done in case
that may involve diplomatic rep
reservations between America and
Germany and affect nationalistic
feeling between the two countries.
BergdOIl Hero.
Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, whose
name has come to symbolic the
term Stacker in the United States,
d a hero in the little peasant town
Of Eberbach because he refused to
bear arms against Germany. He
sits in the drinking han Of his
uncle's hotel with a gunman at his
side and does not dare to venture
out into the world.
Lieut.. Hoover Griffith, of Hamil-
ton, Ohio, who represents the ideal
istic type of American youth that
answered the call of war and glad
Iy served, Is under close confine-
ment here in the little stone prison
behind the massive courthouse
building. He is an adventurous
hero to many of his countrymen
because he tried to kidnap and
bring Bergdoll to justice, and he is
respected by his jailers. He spends
his time reading what books and
papers his friends can get to him.
He is not allowed to have visitors,
but in the best of spirits he is
awaiting trial on charge that
may take the best years of his life.
Present Strong Contrast.
These two men present a remark
ably striking contrast. Bergdoll
counts his friends and admirers
among the peasantry of Eberbach,
and his enemies are legion. Grit
fith's friends are legion. and he
doesn't count his enemies. Berg
doh is surly, vindictive and defiant
like a cornered badger. Griffith is
dignified, proud, at peace with him.
self. BergdoIl slumps over his
stein of beer and discusses his case
with flat-mouthed drawls and vul-
gar expressions. Griffith draws
himself UP before those who come
20 him and looks them in the eye
with complete self-possession. :.
The same feelings that inspired
these two American boys in 1917
inspire them now. Bergdoll is the
Stacker still; Griffith the volunteer
ready for anything that is right
under the code that was taught
him.
Griffith is liable to twenty years
In prison. Bergdoll is liable to
worse than that If he relaxes his
guard. A German police official
said today that he wouldn't give a
snap OF his fingers for Bergdoll's
life. It is confidently expected by
Germans in this neighborhood that
there will be a sequel to this at
tempt to get Bergdon. The Ger
mans in Eberbach, on the other
who tries to get Bergdoli will
not leave this town alive"
Bergdoll had the chance of his
career to vindicate himself after
he escaped from the attack. Had
he acted generously toward his
assailants. accepted their patriotic
motive although he couldn't under
stand 1t, and tried less to make
things hot for them, he could have
won q more enduring sympathy
even among the Germans and per-
haps re-established himself at home.
He was advised to do this, but he
scorned such an idea.
Griffith SpOrtsmanIike.
Griffith, on the other hand, has
taken a sporting attitude Of the
whole affair, and only laments the
fact that too much seriousness has
been attached to it by the Ger
mans. While Bergdoll abuses and.
blasphemes, Griffith jokes. German
officials who have interviewed both
men unhesitatingly declare that
Griffith is the more impressive
and likable personality. Bergdoll's
presence and speech do not inspire
feelings Of admiration. Squat,