Letter to General Enoch H. Crowder from Baron von Baleringer - September 25, 1918
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5016 Centre Ave. Pittsburgh, [Pennsylvania] [September] 25th 1918. Office of the Provost Marshal General Washington D.C. General- Permit me to attract your attention to the following: I have just returned my questionnaire to the Local Board, Div. No 3, Tlgh. [Telegraph], claiming exemption as an alien enemy, having
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the allied cause. I am also confident, that there are thousands of South Germans right in this country, who would be glad & proud to fight under their own flag side by side with the allies against prussian oppression. This government has lately given to Czechs, Slovaks & Poles this privilege and I pray that the time will not be far when the U.S. Government will also consider these oppressed people as well. I beg to be allowed to place myself at your service, should this question arise. I am a god-son of the late King Charles of Wurttemberg and the late Duchess Eugene ( [m.s. illegible 2 wds] Duchess Vera Constantinovna of Russia)
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held a commission in the German Army from 1902 to 1907 & belonging to the reserve afterwards. I am under $5000- bail at liberty furnished by my father-in-law, prominent citizen of this town, whom I was visiting with my wife when war broke out, and the Dept. of Justice seems to be satisfied as to my status. My views having naturally always been anti prussian, but, but pro-German, have long since become enthusiastically pro-ally, and I therefore beg to be allowed to point out, what a great benefit a vigorous anti prussian propaganda in Southern Germany would bring to
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both of whom were loved by their people, socialists as well as loyalists, and therefore I think that I might have influence with former residents of Wurttemberg & South-Western Bavaria in this county. The proudest day of my life would be to be allowed to recruit some of these people for the benefit of their oppressed governments and kinsfolk over there and for restoration of the status quo ante 1866, the year of humiliation. Ever since that year Prussia has ruled them with an iron hand. May I not beg of you to consider these line as strictly
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confidential, as a publication of them or filing, where German agents could copy them, would mean bodily harm to my 70 year old mother, a French woman, who is living alone and unprotected in Stuttgart, Germany, and also confiscation of my art- treasures and priceless heirlooms, entrusted to my care by many generations, myself being the last of an old, once po-
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werful family. Your respectfully Baron von Baleringer
Details
| Title | Letter to General Enoch H. Crowder from Baron von Baleringer - September 25, 1918 |
| Creator | Baron von Baleringer |
| Source | Baron von Baleringer. Letter to General Enoch H. Crowder from Baron von Baleringer. 25 September 1918. Crowder, Enoch H. (1859-1932), Papers, 1884-1942. C1046. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | Letter from German Baron von Baleringer to General Enoch H. Crowder. Baleringer was a German American who asked Crowder for permission to fight with the United States Army against Prussian oppression. This document is part of a collection compiled by Enoch Herbert Crowder, the Edinburg, Grundy County, Missouri native who served as Judge Advocate General. Crowder devised the Selective Service Act in 1917 which drafted America's forces during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | Crowder, E. H. (Enoch Herbert), 1859-1932; World War, 1914-1918--Public opinion; Draft |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Selective Service Act of 1917; Selective Draft Act; German Americans |
| Site Accession Number | C1046 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | September 25, 1918 |
| Language | English |