<em>Waverly Phoenix</em>: To Our Valued Readers
Anti-German Sentiment during WWI; newspaper censorship;
<p><strong>To Our Valued Readers</strong></p>
<p>As most readers already know, foreign language newspapers are forbidden to publish articles about the war, the federal government, or anything concerning other countries at war, for as long as the war lasts, unless a notarized translation is submitted to the local postmaster before publication. These restrictions are based on a law that came into effect at midnight on October 16th [correct date: October 6th]. Newspapers with a special permit may be exempted from this censorship. We have applied for such a permit with the federal government and consider it most advisable to abstain from all news and commentary concerning the war until we receive it. We ask our valued readership to bear with us and will continue to make our paper as interesting as possible in the hope that our readers remain true to us in these hard times.</p>
<p>The Editors</p>
Waverly Phoenix
7 November 1917
State Historical Society of Iowa
jpg
German
newspaper article; editorial commentary
microfilm newspaper collections, State Historical Society of Iowa
Waverly; Bremer County
<em>Waverly Phoenix</em>: Unpatriotic and Disloyal
Anti-German Sentiment during WWI; Council of Defense measures against flag kissing or painting property yellow to denote "slackers"
<p><strong>Unpatriotic and Disloyal</strong></p>
<p>There is a provision by means of which one can call to account so-called unpatriotic or disloyal citizens. All reports of such wrongdoings should be made immediately to the county Council of Defense. This body absolutely condemns mob actions designed to hold someone accountable. We also disapprove of painting private or public buildings yellow or forced kissing of the flag, etc. Any such infractions will continue to be strictly dealt with by the county Council of Defense agency.</p>
<p>Signed</p>
<p>John Köberle, Chairman <br />J.Q. Lauer, Secretary</p>
Bremer County Council of Defense
Waverly Phoenix
22 May 1918
State Historical Society of Iowa
jpg
German
newspaper announcement
microfilm newspaper collections, State Historical Society of Iowa
Waverly; Bremer County
A "Man in Every Town"
World War I; Babel Proclamation; Council of Defense; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Enforcement
Vet supports Babel and desires a "man" in each town to see it is "followed and obeyed."
Frank G. Smith
N/A
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
6/3/1918
N/A
N/A
N/A
Letter
English
TEXT
Box #14, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
1918-06-03; West Branch, Iowa; Cedar County;
A Little Harmless Bluff
World War I; Babel Proclamation; Council of Defense; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Babel Enforcement; Violence
Response to Davis. Remember, pre-Babel. Here: "as to taking the law in your own hands, that is a question you should not propound to me. As Governor of Iowa, I cannot and will not advocate mob rule. There are times, however, when a little harmless bluff will do much to clarify the atmosphere in certain localities."
W. L. Harding
N/A
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
3/28/1918
N/A
N/A
N/A
Letter
English
TEXT
Box #14, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
1918-03-28; Spirit Lake, Iowa; Dickinson County; Terril, Iowa
A Tale of Two Cities
World War I; Babel Proclamation; Council of Defense; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Lutheranism; Religious Services; Informants
Pre-Babel: Davis asks German communities in Terril and Spirit Lake to stop with all the Germanning. Latter will and former won't. Proposes law to stop "teaching of the German language."
J. C. Davis
N/A
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
3/22/1918
N/A
N/A
N/A
Letter
English
TEXT
Box #14, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
1918-03-22; Spirit Lake, Iowa; Dickinson County; Terril, Iowa;
Absolutely Fakers'
World War I; Babel Proclamation; Council of Defense; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Sedition; German Propaganda; Agriculture; Rationing
Pro forma CoD business, but last section contains interesting aside about "German women" potentially stirring up trouble amongst Davenport community.
Sam T. White
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
9/14/1917
Letter
English
Box #14, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
1917-09-14; Scott County; Davenport, Iowa;
Accomodation in Hubbard
World War I; Babel Proclamation; Council of Defense; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Babel Compliance;
Congregation in Hubbard complies.
Mrs. Buehler
N/A
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
3/26/1919
N/A
N/A
N/A
Letter
English
TEXT
Box #14, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
1919-03-26; Hardin County; Hubbard, Iowa
Ad Hoc Loyalty Leagues
World War I; Babel Proclamation; Council of Defense; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Anti-German Associations
Impromptu organization of citizens to restrict German language.
Fritz Franke
N/A
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
4/22/1918
N/A
N/A
N/A
Letter
English
TEXT
Box #14, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
1918-04-22; Ida County; Battle Creek, Iowa
Adair County Council of Defense to Governor Harding
World War I; Babel Proclamation; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Newspapers; Council of Defense
Resolutions in support of Babel against local newspapers which criticized Harding over Babel.
Roy A. Stacey
N/A
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
7/27/1918
N/A
N/A
N/A
Letter
English
TEXT
Box #13, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
1918-07-27; Adair, Iowa; Adair County; Des Moines, Iowa
Addressing Babel
World War I; Babel Proclamation; Council of Defense; German Language; Anti-Germanism; Religion; Bohemian; Propaganda
Clarifying Babel, in favorable light and with emphasis on Bohemians in Benton
Unknown
N/A
State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
Unknown
N/A
N/A
N/A
Letter
English
TEXT
Box #13, Council of Defense, Governor's Office: Harding, Research Group #43, S61/07/05
Benton County; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Linn County