THE ELKHART TRUTH

Elkhart, Indiana, U.S.A.

3 December 1917

(page 6)

VIERECK [George Sylvester Viereck] REVISITED.

By Herman Hagedon

of the Vigilantes.

We have not heard much of late in the loyal press concerning the German-language newspapers and their kin, “Viereck’s Weekly” and the “Irish World.” They have been lying low. Their outward manner has changed. They no longer sneer openly at President Wilson and all in authority under him, or at that great majority of the American people which is intent on winning the war against Germany. They are copious in their expressions of loyalty. There never was anybody quite as loyal as they.

Meanwhile they have only words of warm-hearted tolerance for Germany and praise for all those who are helping her here or in the Allied countries; and only scorn for all who regard Germany as the bitter enemy of the United States and who propose to fight her as such.

They speak of Hearst with the highest regard. They speak with reverence of Erzberger and von Buelow and Hillquit and Lenine.

But they have nothing but contempt for Theodore Roosevelt and Elihu Root and John Purroy Mitchel.

The plain fact is that Roosevelt, Root and Mitchel are anxious that Germany should be defeated; and Hearst, Erzberger, von Buelow, Hillquit and Lenine are anxious that Germany should win.

There we have the position of the pro-German papers in a nutshell.

The current issue of “Viereck’s Weekly” is typical of the lot. Viereck is wary. There is nothing openly seditious in this issue. Viereck is not one to court martyrdom. There are no sentences no paragraphs that can be picked out and nailed to the wall. In June “Viereck’s Weekly” was filled with acrid and malicious comments on the president and the American people, each more bitter and seditious than the preceding. But there are none such now. The Powers That Be are stroked and soft-soaped. Viereck is taking no chance. He vents his malice only on those whom, for one reason or another, he knows the administration does not likely cherish.

Viereck than is no longer sneering at the American government. The words as they flow from his easy prostituted pen, are all of love and kisses, but the spirit is unchanged. The spirit of November is still the spirit of June, sneering, malignant, treacherous. Viereck himself does not write savage attacks on America and her motives. But he quotes other editors who do at length, and evidently not without satisfaction. Viereck does not himself declare that the war against Germany is a crime against humanity, that patriotism is wicked, that “We must listen . . to the Frenchman who sees in Germany his own best friend, the model of science, organization and foresight, which alone can build up the fallen temple of humanity anew;” but he lets Aleister Crowley say it, and commends his article in a special introductory note. He lets Aleister Crowley, furthermore, quote the famous line, “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel;” and he lets him quote it in a way to make the reader feel that all who are patriots are consequently scoundrels.

There is much in the issue of “Viereck’s Weekly” that is against the United States. There is nothing that is against Germany. And between the lines on every page there runs the siren song of the German propagandist. “Fools, what are you fighting Germany for? Democracy? Tush! Germany is as democratic as America. Humanity demands that the war stop at once. Never mind the details. Humanity, humanity: What? You said Germany must be beaten first? Impossible! Therefore, make peace. Humanity, humanity! Get what terms you can. After all, Germany is the only noble nation in the world. Don’t listen to Roosevelt! Listen to me, me, Me, VIERECK! I am the true patriot and the only ones who can compare with me are La Follette and Hillquit and Gumshoe Bill and Hearst! America First and America Only!”

There you have “Viereck’s Weekly,” published in New York City, eight months after we declared was on Germany.

How long, O Lord?