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The
Canadian Corps, a group in favour of Canada being in the war, responded
to Gerbrandt's letter. (Read full
article)
“Under
ordinary circumstances we would ignore letters such as Gerbrandt's,
but due to the present national crisis we consider it advisable
that the public should be truthfully informed on such matters.
We say quite pointedly to Gerbrandt, or anyone else who sides
with him, that we cannot imagine it is possible to insult anyone
who cannot take sufficient offence to go to the rescue or bear
arms in defence of helpless women and children who are being attacked
and destroyed by a ruthless enemy. If, however, the stating of
the truth accomplishes the miraculous feat of insulting such persons,
we are indeed pleased.”
Just
like Gerbrandt, the writer for the Canadian Corps claims to be telling
the truth.
“We
now quote information from reliable and respected Canadians of
Drake and district, which is in conflict with Gerbrandt's recent
article, and we have no hesitation whatever in accepting their
veracity.”
For
example, the writer says that a “responsible approach was made to
the Mennonites sponsoring the school” asking them to stop teaching
in German. Gerbrandt denied this in his letter. Also, the writer
says that there was only one Bible in the whole school.
The
people that Gerbrandt calls a “mob,” the writer calls some “of the
finest and most reputable citizens of the Drake district.” The Canadian
Corps writer makes clear that he is opposed to all German influences.
“We
state emphatically that we are not opposed to Germans by reason
of where they are born, but we are strongly opposed to the likes
of Gerbrandt being permitted to keep alive as a means of intercourse
in this country, the language of the brutal Hun [an insulting
term for Germans], while our sons and fellow-countrymen are giving
their lives to prevent German domination.”
“There
lie in France over 60,000 Canadians who gave their lives during
the First Great War for this same cause.”
“We
feel it is about time that Canadian-born children of non-Anglo-Saxon
origin, were released from the yoke of German kultur which is
being fostered by a few leaders for personal gain. We submit that
the only way to remedy this pernicious situation is by the exclusive
use of the English language and British customs.”
The
writer ends by putting the blame for the incident on Gerbrandt.
“In
conclusion we would state that Gerbrandt himself is the chief
cause of any disruption in the harmony and neighborliness which
may have arisen in the Drake district, as referred to by Gerbrandt.”
Something
happened in Drake, Saskatchewan, but it is hard to know exactly
what when the sources disagree.
Others
were concerned about this incident in Drake and wrote to the newspaper
with the title "Where was Justice?". (Read
article). The Canadian Corps responded.
(Read Article 1) (Read article 2).
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