William Clark Breckenridge Letter to Gilbert Parker - January 20, 1917

Transcript

St. Louis, [Missouri], January 20, 1917. The Right Hon. Sir Gilbert Parker, Bart., 20, Carlton House Terrace. London, S.W. Dear Sir:- Your letter of August 31st, 1916 was duly received, and it has been on my mind ever since to acknowledge it as well as the documents masterpieces of their kind and present your side of the case dispassionately and convincingly. They have been in constant demand by my friends and I keep them loaned out constantly. I am under many obligations to you for them and thank you for sending them to me. If not asking too much, would you kindly send copies of the documents at your disposal to the Rev. Fielding Marvin, Fayette, Missouri. U.S.A. The sympathies of the people of this country are overwhelmingly with the Allies, -you will note that most of our Newspapers lean toward the Allies. But the Pro-Germans in this country are thoroughly organized and are therefore able to make a stir out of all proportion to their numbers. Just now these latter are engaged in a vigorous Peace Propaganda -holding meetings all over the United States to influence and even to manufacture public sentiment favorable to their cause, for Germany must have peace shortly or her house of cards will fall. No one ever interferes with any of their meetings no matter how outrageous their talk may be but every time any public meeting is held to discuss and act of German barbarity of to take some action to aid the victims of that barbarity, then the Germans turn out in full force to Bully the speakers or break up the meeting. I enclose a clipping merely by way of illustration of my statement this only records one of a long chain of similar performances. There is every indication that Germany is about the end of her rope and that she realizes it. The Teuton always was a bad loser, and when he loses he always flies into Berserk rages and commits the most unpardonable crimes. We, in this country, are looking for her to shortly inaugurate a series of unspeakable outrages against all peoples not Germans regardless of neutrality. I trust that Great Britain will be able to head them off and close her not about them as well as that one neutral nation in Europe which has made it possible for them to inaugurate and carry on their submarine warfare and let loose their raiders. I echo the wish of all civilized peoples when I say that I hope that the war will soon end, but that it must never end until it is fought to a finish and right and justice have triumphed. With my heartfelt wishes for this consummation, I remain, Yours very truly,