A GREAT DANGER,
[To vas Limos or ran ',gr.:Axon:1 Sts,—As a plain American and citizen of the United Rada% I was deeply touched by the tone of the wade is Ito issue of January 23rd headed " A used Danger." Aa a pre- face to my remarks, allow me to say that I live in the neigh. bourhood of New York City, am in constant intercourse with the feeling people of that city, and that our ()mammal., in
in no wise different from the average one; secondly, that although a private oitizen in very private life, I have been more or leas deluged with pro-German pamphlets, lee., as all my friends have been; thirdly, that a not inconsiderable percentage of the Preis; is controlled by German or pro- German hands.
There are some things perfectly apparent to us which may not be readily seen by you. As instances, we know that the pro-German propaganda in this country absolutely failed; that the German-American Press serves its adherents and rarely makes a convert; that outside of that part of our population who have German blood in their veins there are not probably five per cent of the people against the Allies; that of the ten million Germans in this country probably one- half are not in favour of Germeny's stand in this war; that we are striving to the best of our ability to be neutral, while individually we are prejudiced. Among my clientele are many German-born people. Thus far I have not heard one single one say he was anxious to serve the Fatherland. The usual remark when asked is "You may be sure they won't get me back there. The Kaiser and his people are crazy."
The New York Times is a very good paper to base your ideas upon. It is always ready to print arguments pro and eon. and give each side a fair hearing. The German Press in this country charges us, in almost the same words which you use, with being after the almighty dollar while we profess to be neutral. It takes exception to the immense cargoes of ammunition, stores, horses, automobiles, and so forth which are shipped daily to England, France, and Russia. You fail to give U.S any mention of these shipments, while charging us with supplying the wherewithal to Germany for her Army. Wherein lice the difference? Personally I am proud of the cartridge factory in Pennsylvania that refueled an order lately on the ground that they would not further hostilities, but their lead will hardly be followed.
It is, as you say, to be regretted that on neither side of the ocean have we the restraining hands and calm judgments present fifty years ago. President Wilson is in a most serious situation, and has not the statesmen to advise him that he should have. This is unfortunate, but cannot be helped. We melt work all the more strenuously to prevent any misunderstanding, Therefore it is that I am writing this to try my bumble bit to set yo❑ straight and assure your readers (if you see fit to allow me the space) that our hearts are right.
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