100 years ago in Spokane: Article lectures readers on ‘Treason Talk’

A feature on The Spokesman-Review’s editorial page was headlined “Are You Talking Treason Talk Or American Talk?”

Isabel Field, of a group called The Vigilantes, proceeded to give examples of what she believed was American talk and what was treason talk.

Some examples:

“American Talk: We are in this war because Germany gave us too many knocks. We were not quick to fight. We said ‘please don’t’ too many times, but Germany would not stop. We are in this war because we are not cowards.”

“Treason Talk: If we keep quiet Germany will not hurt us.”

“Treason Talk: This is not our war. This is England’s war.”

“American Talk: This is America’s war, and England’s war, and France’s war, and Italy’s war, and the war of every honest nation that is now fighting to save the world from the lust of Germany.”

“Treason Talk: I have a good job and I get good pay. I do not want to give any of it to the government.”

“American Talk: If Germany gets this country you will have no job and no pay. You would have to work like a dog, and if you did not work you would get a whip on your back. That is the way the Germans treat prisoners of war.”

“Treason Talk: It is not fair that the poor should pay more taxes than the rich.”

“American Talk: They don’t. To say they do is a made-in-Germany lie. The more money a man has, the more taxes he pays to the government.”