AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE UNION. 289 Fourth Avenue, New York City. What is in a name? Very much is certainly in this officially selected name. "Independence" suggests the American Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, 1776, one hundred and thirty-nine years ago. "Union" just as forcibly presses upon our attention the American Civil War for the Union, fifty-four years ago amid civil internal strife, the South being aided by Great Britain. The first word of the name "American," as we understand it, embodies independence, union and neutrality. It fortifies against the loss of our Independence and Union by unneutral, disloyal actions of our neutral government, misled by Great Britain, who now makes the last effort to gain what it lost in America's two greatest wars. It is not political and national, only as it is limited by the first word. It is American, nothing more, nothing less. The word "American" is primarily defined by our American Patriotism of independence and union as strict governmental neutrality in fact in a war, where our government emphatically declares its neutrality. If true to its name, as it evidently will be, none but American citizens, regardless of racial descent being members, it will be one of the most American organizations in existence. Yet, we dare say, there are found those who cry, it is un-American, without valid argument for exist ence. At a conference of delegates from all parts of the country, in the Hotel Astor, New York City, February 20th, 1915, this nation-wide organization was effected by electing the following officers: Mr. Herman Ridder, Honorary President, (Deceased); Richard Bertholdt, of Missouri, President; Dr. Thomas C. Hall of New York, First Vice President; A. P. Moore, Secretary; Dr. G. C. Berkemeier, Mount Vernon, N. Y., Chairman Publication Committee. Among the first steps taken were the organization of state branches, the circulation broadcast of Representative Bertholdt's farewell speech in the House of Representatives, and the education of the public in the tenents of the Union. All Americans opposed to shipping arms to Europe to prolong the war and a one-sided interpretation of American interests, will find the platform of the Union worthy of support. Other like general national organizations under different names, but with the same object, are active organizing local branch societies: as the "American Neutrality League, "404 International Life Bldg., St. Louis, Mo., and "American Truth Society," 1133 Broadway New York City. "The American Neutrality Society of Minnesota," Palace Building, Minneapolis, Minn., does not stand alone. It is grateful to the above organizations for their help in the work in the Northwest; also to the "American Embargo Conference," 139 North Clark St., Chicago, Ill. Germanistic Societies are active in giving the public good literature and lectures on the vital issues of the war. The Germanistic Society of America, Deutsches Haus, 419 West 117 St., New York City, publishes "Germany and the United States," and "The German Emperor and the German Government" both by Dr. John W. Burgess, the society's president, also "Germany's Economic Progress and National Wealth, 1888-1913" by Dr. Karl Helfferich, director of the Deutsche Bank. The Germanistic Society of Chicago, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., publishes "Germany and the Peace of Europe," "The Causes of the European Conflict," "How Germany was forced into War," "The Session of the German Reichstag," "Germany's Fateful Hour," price 5 cents each. The Germanistic Society of Minneapolis, and those of other cities, follow the same lines of work. American Truth Society, 1133 Broadway, New York City, Jeremiah A. O'Leary, President, publishes five and ten-cent pamphlets: "The Conquest of the United States," "A Prospect Upon a German American War," "Fair Play for Germany," "An Address on Neutrality," "The Peril of American Finance." UNPREPAREDNESS OF ALLIES? The Allies not prepared! How is that? They out of munitions of war! Can this be true? Cannot enough munitions of war be prepared for one side of the war by this long list of great nations: England, Scotland, Wales, Ire land, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, all Russia, France, Servia, Montenegro, Italy, Japan, the British Isles of the sea, and the United States, headed by Morgan & Company and the Steel Trust of Carnegie, the American Apostle of Peace? It is very easy to get soldiers the Allies' press would have us believe, but hard to obtain munitions. Is not the reverse nearer the truth, they lack soldiers, real soldiers. Why? Because loyalty, bravery and confidence in the righteousness of their cause and in final victory are wanting. The recall of the leader of the British army in France, General French, and the failures of Lord Kitchener, show greatest inefficiency of Britain is its Generals. AMERICAN PREPAREDNESS. This war is one largely of railroads and the United States is prepared with the best net of railroads that lead to all harbor cities. Its munition plants should be run by the Government using its unemployed labor, to which the Government owes a duty as well as to capitalists, Schwab, Carnegie & Company. Germany knows how to employ its idle labor, America does not. Treat all people equally and right, regardless of their nationality or language and they will be prepared to defend their country when threatened. That is a different question from letting individual firms furnish the munitions of war for the world and make our Government the object of future hatred, instead of respect as in the past. Public opinion certainly has changed and is changing. Two good democrats as Wilson and Bryan could not walk together because they did not agree, on war or peace. Public men who before the war talked for peace now advocate armaments to unreasonable proportions. Those who were for war now want peace. Changes in Europe are at once reflected in America. England cried peace, but now cries for war. We are going into war and trade business abroad and neglect our farms. All the western delegates at Washington, D. C., should make themselves heard on war preparedness and shipping war supplies. President Wilson and his followers, after making war against German militarism have turned suddenly to make war for American preparedness, a refined name for American militarism. Fighting on water decided the wars of the past hundred years under the lead of the British Navy, but future wars in the old and new worlds doubtless will be decided by the army on land, and the best railroad system will be a chief factor in preparedness. Why talk about American Preparedness here at home with our unrivaled railroad system, when on short notice the United States furnish the Allies with money, arms and munitions of war from its own quickly equipped factories in unprecedented quantities far across the Atlantic ocean, a distance of 3,000 miles to the first landing harbor? The root essence of American Preparedness is the Anti-German spirit and people. The highest compliment that can be paid one is to imitate him. Germany is being imitated extensively, even unconsciously, but it is only an imitation. The United States is not surrounded by enemies on all sides as is Germany. We better imitate Germany in other ways, in our home, farm and school life. DR. EVJEN'S NEW BOOK. Norwegians, Danes and Swedes In New York, 1630-1674. Prof. John O. Evjen, Ph. D., President of the American Neutrality Society has just published a new book of over 400 pages on the early settlers of New Amsterdam, now New York City, in which he shows that the sailors, traders and settlers of New Amsterdam are not all Holland Dutch, but composed of seafaring Scandinavians and low and high Germans from nearly all the harbor and interior cities of Europe. It is misleading to conclude that because a sea nation gave its name and language to a foreign city or country, its people are largely of that country and language. This mistake Americans make as to the Dutch in New Amsterdam, then, and now as to the English of our country today. The literature naturally overpraises the people of the prevailing language and neglects all others. While doing a little research work in the British Museum I was convinced that American History would have to be rewritten and more space given to the seamen and traders of northern Germany and the three viking Scandinavian nations of the North. Give the Holland Dutch and British English their place, but do the same for every nationality, the German, Swede, Norse and Danish. The "German American Alliance" and others urge this for the Germans, and we welcome the scholarly book from Dr. Evjen, a Norwegian, on the Scan dinavian Families in New York City before the Revolutionary War. Such books prove that the original wealthy and influential families of the United States; especially in its two largest cities and states, were not all English and Dutch, but among them were also many Germans, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes, the sailors of those days. Much is said about the original American stock, and research work like this of Dr. Evjen helps to introduce us to them. Dr. Evjen has written for and about the early 180 Scandinavians of New York City, but has added an appendix giving the names of 200 persons from all parts of the German Empire. EMBARGO ON ARMS AND MUNITIONS OF WAR. Our State Department answers Austria's protest against the shipment of arms and ammunition by quoting tables showing that Austria shipped them to the Boers during their war with England. Our State Department forgot to add, however, that the total amount shipped was less than 700 tons of shells and explosives. They quote five authorities as stating that we are still neutral, even while participating in the unlimited traffic. They fail to give recognition to the fact, however, that accepted authorities state that when shipments to one side are greatly in excess of shipments to the other side, we, as shippers, are then in an unneutral position. President Taft in 1912, issued a proclamation, forbidding export of arms and munitions to Mexico. In 1913, President Wilson, continuing the policy of President Taft said that "an embargo on arms follows the best practice in the matter of neutrality." Woolsey on International Law says, "If the neutral, instead of wheat, should send powder or balls, cannon or rifles, this would be a direct encouragement of the war, and so a departure from the neutral position. "On April 23, 1898, after the Spanish-American War had begun, the British Government placed an embargo on munitions of war. The British Government also has a law on its statute books, conferring discretionary power on the King of England to forbid the export of arms and ammunition." "Germany did not permit her citizens to sell arms or munitions of war to Spain during our war with that nation." It is unneutral, as well as unfair, where one belligerent receives the arms and the other does not. This is made plain by President Wilson in his Neutrality Proclamation issued August 18, 1914, wherein, among other things, he says: "The United States must be neutral in fact as well as in name during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought as well as in action, must put a curb upon our sentiments as well as upon Every Transaction That Might Be Construed As Preference Of One Party To The Struggle Before Another. We Should Not Extend Or Withhold Aid To Or From Either If Actual Circumstances Were Such That Both Parties Were Not Equally Befriended." An embargo on arms is legally right; it is morally right. Under the circumstances it is necessary for us to be neutral. It is the only peaceful weapon we can use to enforce our own rights as a neutral nation and stop the outrages committed by England and her allies on our citizens and our commerce and the world agrees that it will soon stop the war. SEND LETTERS TO CONGRESSMEN. The letters below may aid in writing an original letter or they may be signed and sent. Here like a bank check form the only thing that counts is the signature and that is what counts with your representative. If a voter reads a letter that expresses his sentiments, signs it, buys a two-cent stamp, addresses it and deposits it in the post office, that is the best many can do, and their servants at Washington, D. C., should do their best in return for them. Congressman. Honorable Sir: Washington, D. C. .1916. Your voters believe that you, as a Congressman, are anxious to know correctly the views of your constituency on all important questions; and we in return feel that it is to our Congressmen only that we can turn for accomplishment of those things we desire, and secure redress from conditions which are wrong and un-American. Never before has there been a greater need for men of unquestioned fairmindedness, calmness and courage. Never has there been a greater opportunity for the people, and their Representatives at Washington, D. C., to heartily co-operate with each other in eternal vigilance to preserve and develop the fundamental principles of our government than at the present time. While other governments are being tested, ours is also, and only strong teamwork of the governing and the governed will save our honor and prosperity. We know there is no justification for the further shipment of arms and ammunition; that there has been none at any time, and the sooner our government decides to place an embargo on it, the better off we are, morally and financially. You may be sure that we have looked at the matter from all angles, and are absolutely convinced that we are committing the greatest wrong and giving evidence of the greatest breach of good judgment that has ever befallen our lot as a nation. We are not pro-British or pro-German, but pro-American. There is not a single neutral nation that permits the shipment of arms and munitions of war to any of the belligerent nations, and our United States stands alone in permitting it. Because of our ties of blood, long friendship, commercial relations and the internal dissention it will surely create, we act without hesi tancy in urging the passage of the following: BILL BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE. "S. 380: Mr. Hitchcock of Nebraska: To prohibit individuals, partnerships, or corporations in the United States from selling arms, ammunition, artillery and explosives of any kind for exportation during the existence of war except upon proof that said arms, ammunition, artillery, and explosives are not to be used in said war against a country with which the United States is at peace. The sale or contract to sell or deliver, during the existence of war between nations with which the United States is at peace, of arms, ammunition, artillery, etc., would be declared unlawful and a breach of the neutrality laws of the United States. For violations of the terms of the bill there would be fine of $100,000 and imprisonment. The sale and exportation of arms and munitions of war during the existence of a war among friendly nations would be permitted only upon filing with the Secretary of Commerce sworn proof, satisfactory to that official, that the arms and munitions are not intended to be used in violation of the terms of the bill." The American Neutrality Society recently organized in Minneapolis is co operating with similar organizations throughout the United States. Our aims are outlined in our constitution, herewith enclosed, and embody the earnest convictions of men of unquestioned loyalty and of every nationality, who, while perhaps differing in non-essentials are determined to see this nation maintain in fact real neutrality instead of the so-called neutrality of the Administration and of the American press. We feel it is not necessary to go into detail in addressing our representatives, who have all had experience with the gentlemen of the press, but we feel compelled to insist that the feeble efforts made by the Administration to foster and protect American commerce on the high seas and with neutrals not engaged in war, are a positive disgrace to a nation of the professed standing and size of the United States. The acts committed remind us seriously of 1812 and the resultant war which was supposed to have put a stop to the insolent disregard of American rights on the high seas. May we ask, when is the present flagrant violation of neutral rights going to end? Are President Wilson's Notes to England given any attention whatever by the British Government? Or did he intimate in advance that no immediate compliance with our demands was expected? We are convinced that Great Britain would instantly comply with every reasonable demand to respect the rights of neutral commerce if it was made plain that an embargo on arms and munitions of war would follow if her unlawful interference did not cease at once. The members of the American Neutrality Society want to know where our members of Congress stand on the foregoing statement in general and in particular on the following specific propositions: 1. Do you favor legislation designed to put a stop to the present enormous traffic in arms and munitions of war which is alienating the respect and good will of every nation, even those sharing in the traffic? 2. Do you favor the restoration of the parcels post to Germany recently discontinued by order of the Postmaster General and the protection of our mails against interference by any foreign power? 3. Do you believe the enormous expansion of the plants for the making of arms and munitions constitutes a temptation to plunge 'our country into war to secure business for such plants? 4. Do you regard prayers for peace on Sunday and making of munitions for the Allies night and day for the other six days of the week as fulfilling America's obligations to humanity? 5. Do you favor an investigation of the press associations by a committee of Congress to ascertain and make public the facts regarding the censorship of the news; the monopolization of the news service and the relation between the associations: the American newspapers? 6. Do you favor a system of ocean cables severed by our Government? Very truly yours, IRVING J. SWEETSER, Secretary, American Neutrality Society of Minnesota. WAR UNITES NEUTRAL SCANDINAVIA. The meeting at Malmo, Sweden, of the Kings and Cabinet members of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, was of world-wide interest. Separatism among Scandinavians, as among Germans, is yielding to independent co-operation and racial loyalty to defend and promote what is common to all in culture, language, industry and trade. In the opening speech, King Gustave alluded to "the unanimous desire of the kingdoms of the North to preserve their neutrality, and pointed to the desirability of limited co-operation between the kingdoms as a safeguard to their common interests. He said that when he invited the monarchs of Norway and Denmark to meet him he was impressed with a deep sense of the responsibility which would be incurred in relation to the present and the future if any measure which would contribute to the welfare of the three peoples were neglected." It was also stated that the principal purpose |