New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-08

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The first Latin text | attempted
in my early preparatory school days
was the simple fable beginning "H9-
dus stans in tecto domus the story
of the kid on the roof contemporary
unafraid of the wolf on the ground.
This child's story | submit to the COM
/ prehension of Americas Statesmen
and "intellectuals" who in this crisis
of world history perceive the threaten
ing beast close at hand only to sheer
at his impotence in their direction un-
der serene security of the gulf be-
tween.
The kid is no less a kid and no less
ridiculous that he is on the ROOT, ana
the wolf has not softened his nature
nor has he been eliminated that his
approach to his prey seems for the
time cut off. Nor need the creature IN
security rejoice Overmuch that ne Is
safe by an accident of situation, unless
it gives him satisfaction to see his less
fortunate fellows devoured before his
ewes to appease the hunger that ne
might have had to satisfy.
Americas present political pose OF
detached responsibility while horrors
unheard of are enacted at little re-
move from our doors is the valor OF
sheltered security under the protection
of an Intervening sea. with averted
face we let the destruction of an inno-
cent people go mercilessly on, although
we have solemnly signed documents
asserting our recognition of the sacred
rights of these people. Moreover, on
our very borders campaign OF murder
has ragged for years, and We refuse to
let ourselves be disturbed by it.
The adulation of our President that
breaks out ecstatically here and there
because he has kept this country In
peace by a do-nothing policy, while
others have been at war by do-some-
thing necessity, is the chorus of the
army of those whose lives are devoted
to keeping their own skins unscratched,
the great host of people who are pre-
cious unto themselves.
These are they who see the worlds
woe unpleasantly manifest and are
quite willing to give aims that the
woes may be alleviated, but they must
not themselves be bothered. They per-
ceive many disagreeable matters all
about demanding attention, but they
do not wish 10 be mixed up" in any
thing disagreeable. What matters the
NAuSt u humanity 81 lOAE as our COull-
try is at peace when we make peace
the chief end of existence! LET us
have peace" of course! Neither is il
enough to escape outright war; we
cannot be involved in any way in the
expression of opinion or the exercise
of a restraining influence where war
does exist, even though we are ap-
pealed to by innocent sufferers TO de-
clare principle in their behalf which
we have ostentatiously asserted when
we were running no risk TO do So Now
are we fearful, timorous, pusillani-
nous. So the proud policy of the
American nation is to wrap ourselves
in cotton wool in studied indifference
TO the state of the world in which we
are, but of which we do not wish 10
be too much part.
But are we thus so softly preserved!
II we were sure of an absolute secur-
ity we might be content. with or with
out honor, to let others bear our bur
dens and fight our battles. Perched
here on the top of a continent, do we
deceive ourselves that we shall always
be out Of reach Of trouble because OF
our eminence?
/ Within recent years there has been
more talk (call il empty talk ABOUT
! the possibility of the invasion OF TINS