Trench and camp. (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, June 19, 1918, Image 13

Trench and camp., June 19, 1918, Page 13, Image 13

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Newspaper Page TextJUNE 19. V GERMANISM IN U. S. i NOT VERY POPULAR Sketches of Popular Feeling in U. S, on Demonstrations of Germanism, The following appearing in a recent issue of the London Times, was written by one of the Times’ correspondents, traveling in this country: In a little country town in Pennsyl vania a small bey jumped on to the train and offered the evening papers. They were freely bought, and two men sitting together made some guttural noise as they saw the headlines announcing a German advance. It sounded like "Ach gut,” but I cannot be sure. Whatever the words, no "Open Sesame” ever wrought quicker magic. Within an ins tant a little tornado arose; and before there w as time to analyse the commo tion or share in it two stout persons were lifted clean up and heaved into the street. The conductor did not attempt to inter fere or stop the pace of the car. One man fell on his face, the went spinning round and was nearly knocked over by a passing motor. Within the train three lithe Americans laughed and resumed their seats and the incident was closed. Later I recounted the experience to my host. A dry little smile wrinkled bls mouth and vanished, as his daughter broke in: “Now. Papa, I'll never forgive you, if you tell.” But he told me the story nevertheless. An elderly Austrian body, who had been an old acquaintance of the family, had ventured to say that Germany would never be beaten. Though the occasion was a party at her own home, the daughter had turned on the old lady, lectured her on her sin against America, and insisted on her immediate ejection from the house. Thereafter all communication between the two families had ceased. It seemed to me that the real feelings of a people are more easily and truly diagnosed in small places than in large; and such a pair of incidents, though slight enough, more impressed me than all the police court incidents of New York. ‘‘The Hyphens.” I left this little town to Journey to Virginia. In the smoking room of the Pullman only the war was being dis cussed; and I asked a citizen from the Middle Vest what he thought the effect would be if there were news of heavy casualties among tho American troops “In my city,” he said, naming some Wis consin township, “it will mean death to the hyphens.” lie meant, of course, peo ple (and they were 50 per cent of his neighborhood) who wrote themselves down as German-Americans. Heavy American casualties have not yet been reported; but every single day signs mul tiply of an accumulated hatred of al) things and persons named German. Ev ery day in the bigger cities men are ar rested and receive penalties of three months and upward for pro-German oi pro-Austrian opinions. Most of the of fenders are reported and in many cases ; arrested then and there by private citi zens who now—as was adjudged in the courts the other day—have the right of such summary action. "Are you 100 pet cent American?” asks one of the most aggressive advertisements; and it will very soon be dangerous to be only 99 pet cent American, to say nothing of “50-50,” which is the vernacular for 50 per cent Indeed, it is already dangerous. Not more than a week or two ago it was the habit of German sympathizers, when the news pleased them, to assemble in certain restaurants to drink—and eat— to the glory of the Fatherland. These resorts and these habits soon became known, and at least as many 100 per cent Americans as Germans began to fore gather to the festival. The result was that every one watched eve y one—one party seeking to observe, the other to make sure that it was not observed—so that a re: taurant. though crowded to overflowing with a company assembled to celebrate, was nevertheless enveloped in an atmosphere of preternatural gloom. A moment's rashness would precipitate a catastrophe, as every- one knew; and now even the German restaurants are lit tle more populous on one night than on another. Public Feeling. A few cases of lynching, of tarring and feathering, and such delicate reminders of patriotic duty occur almost daily in the West and Middle West; but these excesses are not the most thoroughgoing signs of popular feeling. Bigger move ments are on foot. Instruction in the German tongue has been absolutely pro hibited in the elementary schools of seve ral states, including New York. Teacn ers are forced to take the oath of loyalty School books are being rapidly revised, with a view to cut out all complimentary references to Bismarck and the kaisers, as well as some unfortunate references to British kings and rulers. Clubs here, there, and everywhere have passed a short and sharp rule, which renders every member liable to be called upon to take tho oath of loyalty. The boycott move ment against German goods is spreading very rapidly, especially among women, and is to be methodically organized. My impression is that if the war con tinues much longer, or if tho American troops are heavily engaged, the problem of protecting the persons and properties of avowed Germans will strain law and order to the utmost. East and West, Americans are growing angry. The in fluence of this growing animosity in the German-American communities them selves is already apparent. Germans are a logical people. Many emigrants camo over to avoid the excesses of the "slave state” of Germany, but have allowed themselves a strong sentimental affec tion for the Fatherland. They are now directly face to face with the fact that hyphens are an unpopular and, indeed, a dangerous appendage. Compromise is dif ficult. A plain choice is offered Shall they bo German or American •’ People • say, “Once a German, always a German.” Ido not believe it. It is dally di -proved; and the best observers hold thai thous ands of Germans will in the next few L. months deliberately and thoroughly ...c --, cept the country of their adoption, now a';the alternatives are so clear-cut. It is ‘‘Safer to be American than German; and fear is a powerful agent. TRENCH AIND CAMP •••■..c•. •••;. . •x-NW-x-y .'-c.'A. .... ■ . . ' » - mo •S 1 ; Mb f. WK* ■ ; ! I L ' ■ . ",. . ....■ . ■ •. « j HU 21CO’i’55. AV CONSTRUCTING COTES FOR OUR WINGED MESSENGERS. American engineers in France building an underground cote for the carrier pigeons attached to their reg iment. (Readers of this newspaper who wish a photographic copy of this picture may obtain it by sending ten cents to the Division of Pictures, Committee on Public Information, Washington, D. C. Enclose this clipping.) T. LYNCH'S QUESTIONNAIRE. I, Timothy Lynch, do solemnly swear, I’m the registr.-nt in this question naire. Thirty years cld is my age, sir, today, I live near this school, a few blocks away. I’m a motorman, and also please add I live with my wife, and she with her dad. I work for the road and truthfully say I run over people ten hours a day. So skillful am I in this kind of work I know I can kill both Teuton and Turk. Military training I never had, I was put out of scl 00l for being bad. I speak English well, both pure and profane, German or French never entered my brain. And here let me say, and put this in rhyme. I stand six feet in my estimation. And weigh 200 without—exaggeration. I’m physically fit and feeling so fine, I’ll sign my ai..e at the end of this line. It has never been my fortune or fate To be employed by this nation or state. Am I a minister. You make me smile. A Divinit student? Wrong by a mile. I’m not in the naval or military ser vice. It was my neglect, and not that I’m nervous. , I’m a citizen and rim proud to say I’m ready to fight fcr my flag any day. '-hough born in Ireland thirty years ago, I’ve i,een in this country ten years or so. I left one fine day from fair Queens town port, Atoard the Celtic and hero I was brought. I came here alone. My parents stayed home, They were too feeble this wide world to roam, I got cit: n papers in City Hall, I love this country; I await its call. I have dependents. I’m married, you see. There’s Bridget, my wife, and our child, 1-arie. We all live lOgether, wife, child, and me. It costs a t hole lot to care for us three, But I’m a fighter, and if it must be, My wi e will work hard and let r..e be free To do my full share for democracy. I waive all claim fcr any exemption, I want to fight for freedom’s redemp tion. —From a document filed with the New York Draft Board by Timothy Lynch. Bessie is a bright one. The other day her teacher set her and her school mates to drawing, letting them choose their own subjects. After the teacher had examined what the other children had drawn, she took up Bessie’s sheet. "Why, what’s this?” she said. “You haven’t drawn anything at aii, child.” “Please, teacher, yes, I have,” re turned Bessie. “It’s a war-picture—a long line of ammunitionwagons at the front. You can’t see ’em ’cause they’re camouflaged.” "My dear, you mustn’t let anybody read that letter from cousin George at the front. I’m surprised that he’d write such things.” “What’s the matter with his letter? It's mighty interesting.” “Some parts of it are, but his con fessions of his disgraceful conduct are dreadful. I wouldn’t for the world have anyone know of his doings.” "I don’t get you at all.” "Didn’t you read that par of his let ter where he says he was out with a British tank last night, and they roll ed all over the place?”— save it below the waste line 50 Shaves right in the A metal I •dh Thrifty Shaving \\ *T' , HROWING away shaving soap is waste. \\ | Don’t do it. Colgate’s "Handy Grip” Wr Shaving Stick has a new and clever way of \ using all the soap. You can unscrew the last \ \ J's inch and stick it on a new stick—no waste \ whatever. The lnost economical form of shaving soap is die stick. 1" 1 Thi* we know for we make shaving powder and daL Stick the cream also, and thus are in a position to. give this ArV) disinterested advice. Lather with Colgate’s and shave (I u.!) stub on a . , „ r ° nese slick with Comfort. COLGATE & CO. Established 1806 blew York COUMS3 Bililif JOE’S SHANGHAI RESTAURANT REASONABLE PRICES. QUICK SERVICE. § JOE’S I (THE BOY FROM YOUR HOME TOWN) Chinese and American Restaurant 316 Jacksen Street S (NEAR OPERA HOUSE BEST MEALS NOTHING TOO IN THE CITY rTfIWnSC. GOOD FOR YOU H FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS —AT— “THE PRETTIEST SHOP IN TOWN” CONVENIENT TO ALL CARS. STULB’ NURSERY “Augusta’s Leading Florist.” 203 Eighth Street. “Just Off Broad.” Phones—Nursery, 549. Store, 570, 13 J I 0 |p 4' 0© ( Izl gMq [ \ J| ’ pips Rn QI ffl W i a V V v V v Lj 11 ’ms I |i ill II i" 1 ! j | i™!