OCR Text |
Show WHAT WAS TO BE EXPECTED? They arc mnking a good deal, of commont in Berlin and wholly uujust-i uujust-i risible commont it is upon tho fact that GormanB in tho United States aro not coming to tho relief of tho Kaiaor in his military tax oxactions. It is pointed out that only $25,000 has been received from Germans living in the Unitod States toward tho payment of tho Empire's increased military expenditures, expen-ditures, whorcas Germans living in tho city of Antwerp nlono contributed thrco times as much as that. Tho feeliug in Berlin is that this is proof that tho German homo fooling in tho United Stiit08" is not very strong, and especially especial-ly that "former Gorman subjects of Germany living in tho Unitod States would not be sympathetic and helpful to Germany in tho event of war with tho United States." Well, as to tho latter, wo should hopo not. Tho truth is, that the Germans in tho United States aro among the very best citizonB tvo have, Thoy aro patriotic, pa-triotic, thoy are' devoted to individual liberty, and they abhor tyranny and the exaltation of imperial dogmas and decrees. de-crees. During our Civil War, tho Germans Ger-mans proved their comploto devotion to this country, multitudes of thorn sealing seal-ing that devotion -with their blood. They woro found overyvrhoro in the army, from "tho privato in the rear ranks" to tho major-general in command. com-mand. Their fighting qualities woro of tho best, and their enthusiam for the war was as pervading as that of any class of our citizens. Wo aro fully convinced con-vinced that in case of such a deplora-bio deplora-bio event as a "war between Germany and the United States, thoy would rally ral-ly to tho standard of tho Republic as nobly as thoy did in the Civil War. Why should Gormans living in the Unitod States come forward to help pay tho increased military expenses in Germany? It was to get from under just such burdons, and to enjoy tho per soual freedom and liberty that was denied de-nied them in their native land that tho Gormans flocked to tho "Unitod States in such numbers. And then, whnt in tcrest have Germans in tho United States in helping to share tho tremendously tremen-dously increased military burdens of Gorman'? Against -what power is tho increase made? If against France, why should tho Germans in America take any interest in such animosity or war-faro? war-faro? Gormans living in this country havo nothing against tho French or Franco. If it is against Great Britain, tho 6amo may bo said as in tho event of a supposed war with France. There is no reason why Germans in the United States should take any interest in that Bort of a war. On the general proposition, Gormans in America, like the rest of us, find abundant uso for their- money in their business, in their household expenses, in their charities and benevolences, and in the multitude of calls that daily life imposes upon them in common with other citizens, for contributions and expenditures. Why should they pay their money for an increase in the German Ger-man army and navy? What is such an increase to them? What benefit can it "bo to their descendants? The idea that Germans residing in America and their descendants would give such support as soems to have been expected, to the increased in-creased military programme of Germany, Ger-many, is hard to comprehend. Tt Is gratifying, also, to know that tho Germans Ger-mans in America have contributed comparatively com-paratively little to this inflated German Ger-man war programme. In fact, the greatest mystery about it is that they should have contributed anything at all. |