100 years ago in Spokane: German-American group calls for U.S. to remain neutral in European conflict

From our archives, 100 years ago

The Washington Branch of the National German-American Alliance, meeting in Spokane, issued a resolution endorsing Charles E. Hughes for president over Woodrow Wilson because “Wilson’s policy had not been one of strict neutrality.”

The convention said that “because of the president’s lack of a firm stand for strict neutrality at the beginning of the European war, the United States is now involved in difficult foreign relations which may lead to war.”

The convention also called for “an embargo on the export of wheat, flour and meats … in order to keep the price of these products within the reach of the people of the United States.” However, an embargo might also have the effect of stopping food aid to the European nations arrayed against Germany.

More than 30 state chapters of the National German-American Alliance gathered in Spokane and passed these resolutions.

Headlines on the front page underscored the “difficult foreign relations” facing the U.S.: “German Submarine Destroys Six Vessels Off Coast of United States: Four British, One Dutch and One Norwegian Steamer Ripped by Torpedoes.”

These kinds of provocations were destined to become more, not less, common in the next six months.

From the gender beat: The Rev. H.A. Luckenback of the Lincoln Heights Congregational Church delivered a sermon titled, “The Sensible Young Woman.”

It included the following passage: “The sensible young woman is self-reliant, not simply a doll to be petted or a bird to be supported. She is brave and makes the best of everything.”