Letter from Hyman Herman to President Woodrow Wilson (Document 4), item 3

• October 23, 2018 13:10:30 Sara Fresi

  -2-

    Pray, your Highness, do not misunderstand me. I do not sympathize

  with the autocratic Germany, and there is no one more than I who wants

  to see the complete obliteration of all Junkers and Pan-Germanists. But how 

  is it that the U.S. a country far less democratic (and daily proving itself 

  to be such) (and England, the imperial and selfish, and we exclude all minor

  participants) undertake to slam democracy upon a nation whether it likes it 

  or not? What unparalleled audacity to attempt to force 78,000,000. people 

  to adopt a certain kind of government. If we mean their benefit, then the 

  Germans surely know what they want and need us not. Kiss them not and bite

  them not. You don't seem to realize that you are simply embittering them

  against such audacious conduct.

    As far as I understand, we are for no indemnities and no

  annexations - of course, except a billion here, a billion there. Alsace

  Lorraine to France, Trieste and the Izonzo region to Italy, and so forth.

  Why is it that France that has never returned willingly any territory

  acquired in her numerous wars should this demand a province already a part

  of Germany for the past 47 years? And why are her allies so ready in 

  backing her up? If this be the war's program, then why throw dust in our

  eyes. ('tis true we are only dust, but too much is too much.) Finally if

  our aim be the annihilation of Prussianism, then why in the name of Heaven

  have you refused the offer made by Germany which included the evacuation of

  Belgium, disarmament of nations and freedom of the seas? Surely then your

  purpose is to get supreme domination and to crush Germany for no reason it

  seems except a mad desire for murder, meanwhile making us the goats.

    But, my most Venerable Lord, I fear I am tiring you and I

  shudder to think that as a result you may be delayed in your grand wholesale

  murder. Therefore with the sincerest hopes that you will not take anything

  I have written to heart, I remain

    Your most obedient and humble servant

  (Signed) Hyman Herman

• October 23, 2018 13:10:21 Sara Fresi

  
  

  
  

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• November 20, 2017 22:51:35 Thomas A. Lingner

  -2-

    Pray, your Highness, do not misunderstand me. I do not sympathize

  with the autocratic Germany, and there is no one more than I who wants

  to see the complete obliteration of all Junkers and Pan-Germanists. But how 

  is it that the U.S. a country far less democratic (and daily proving itself 

  to be such) (and England, the imperial and selfish, and we exclude all minor

  participants) undertake to slam democracy upon a nation whether it likes it 

  or not? What unparalleled audacity to attempt to force 78,000,000. people 

  to adopt a certain kind of government. If we mean their benefit, then the 

  Germans surely know what they want and need us not. Kiss them not and bite

  them not. You don't seem to realize that you are simply embittering them

  against such audacious conduct.

    As far as I understand, we are for no indemnities and no

  annexations - of course, except a billion here, a billion there. Alsace

  Lorraine to France, Trieste and the Izonzo region to Italy, and so forth.

  Why is it that France that has never returned willingly any territory

  acquired in her numerous wars should this demand a province already a part

  of Germany for the past 47 years? And why are her allies so ready in 

  backing her up? If this be the war's program, then why throw dust in our

  eyes. ('tis true we are only dust, but too much is too much.) Finally if

  our aim be the annihilation of Prussianism, then why in the name of Heaven

  have you refused the offer made by Germany which included the evacuation of

  Belgium, disarmament of nations and freedom of the seas? Surely then your

  purpose is to get supreme domination and to crush Germany for no reason it

  seems except a mad desire for murder, meanwhile making us the goats.

    But, my most Venerable Lord, I fear I am tiring you and I

  shudder to think that as a result you may be delayed in your grand wholesale

  murder. Therefore with the sincerest hopes that you will not take anything

  I have written to heart, I remain

    Your most obedient and humble servant

  (Signed) Hyman Herman

  
  

  • Show revision
  • Compare to current version
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