Its conduct was a deliberate disregard of our rights, and a deliberate murder of our citizens.

The German Government, after strong protests from our Government, promised to desist from pursuing its unlawful

course.

On Feoruary 1, or shortly prior thereto, when the German Government believed itself strong enough, in the possession of a sufficient number of submarines, it notified our Government that it would ruthlessly destroy every neutral vessel that should venture into the sea surrounding England, France, and Italy.

Can this nation permit its rights to be thus trampled upon and preserve its self-respect?

Can we maintain our standing among the nations of this earth if we submit to this arrogance on the part of Germany?

Will this Nation surrender its right to the use of the seas because Germany insists that the submarine is the only weapon left to it, and that it must trample upon our rights in order to make effective use of this weapon?

There can be but one answer to this question, and that answer must be that we must defend our rights against this encroachment, regardless of cost of men and money, if we desire to remain worthy of the respect of the world.

If there be any citizen, however, whose patriotism is so weak that he can not see the absolute necessity of defending our rights on the seas, then let him think of the conceded efforts of the agents of the German Government to stir up a war against us on the part of Mexico and Japan.

If there ever was a good reason for this country to defend itself against attack by declaring war against Germany the last course has presented that reason.

Any other course than a declaration of war would make a weakling of this great nation.

Our influence for good in the world would be destroyed, and future generations would be ashamed of the conduct of their fathers.

Hence, let us manfully resolve to defend our rights, cost what it will, and earnestly appeal to Congress to take such legislative action as will throw our lot with our sister Republics, France and Russia, and their allies, and against the domineering course of autocracy.

THE CALL AND THE REPLY.

By A. J. BUCHER, editor of Haus und Herd, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The fact that the United States are about to enter war against the Central Powers of Europe is a cause of great sorrow and pain to us Americans of German descent. We find ourselves thrown into a conflict of feelings and also of duties such as we have never experienced before. It must now become manifest what our loyalty as American citizens is worth. It is worth nothing if it can not stand the most severe test of the present crisis. The lines of duty are very clear for everyone that has sworn the oath of naturalization. Under all possible circumstances we have to stand faithfully by the Star-Spangled Banner. The individual will has to yield to the will of the Nation, as it is expressed by our Congress and by the President. And no former connections whatever nor any personal sympathies or apathies, however natural and strong they may be, must be allowed to influence our sense of duty in this respect. To America, which we, prompted by love and gratitude, have chosen as our new homeland, we owe everything which it may justly require from us as citizens. When conscience speaks, the heart must keep silent.

Let us remember the terrible conflict of feelings under which many a father and husband bade farewell to wife and children during our Civil War to join our armies and to level his gun against friends or even relatives whose sympathies were on the other side. Such painfully difficult decisions are being repeated a million times during the present world war, and we must not shun them. There is but one authority for us to go by in such cases-conscience combined with duty. Before these solemn and stern majesties we have to bow in absolute submission in the present crisis. Let us do it in gratitude toward America, which has welcomed us

to its hospitable shores and has given us opportunities such as the old country simply could not offer to most of us, and which has granted us golden liberty for everything noble and good and which has showered an abundance of blessings upon us.

With these convictions we Americans of German descent or birth shall stand by our flag whatever may come with hands folded for intercession, but ready as well for sacrifices and, if need be, to fight, let us support our Government and pray God to protect our beloved American homeland!

O

Ein Wort der Anerkennung für die im Ausland Geborenen.

Vieles vom Besten, was das amerikanische Volk aufzuweisen hat, stammt aus fremden Ländern, und vieles vom Besten, was es in Amerika gibt, ist in den Männern zu finden, welche naturalisierte Bürger der Vereinigten Staaten sind. Ich hätte keine Angst davor, eine Abstimmung aller im Ausland geborenen Bürger darüber vornehmen zu lassen, ob Amerika für sie an erster Stelle steht; denn ich weiß, daß bei weitem die meisten von ihnen herübergekommen sind, weil sie an Amerika glaubten; und ihr Gaube an Amerika hat bessere Bürger aus ihnen gemacht, als manche Leute, die in Amerika geboren jind. Ich weiß, daß ich in keiner Täuschung befangen bin hinsichtlich der überwiegenden Meinung der im Auslande geborenen Bürger der Vereinigten Staaten; aber ich hätte gern recht bald eine Gelegenheit, sie in Reihe und Glied aufgestellt zu sehen, um die Männer, in deren Denken andere Länder an erster Stelle stehen, auf die eine, und alle diejenigen, für welche Amerika allezeit das erste und das lezte Wort ist, auf die andere Seite treten zu lassen.

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Woodrow Wilson.