New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-08
,copyriss,. 1871. by George w smnn,y,

wide. The very energy of his mind is
thought to mlslcad MIN in war Ms if
did IN peace when he usurped the func-
uons sometimes Of one Minister. some
umes ~ another; sometimes of the
Frme Minister himself Twice he
came near setting the Kingdom aflame
with Civil War. But il is not disputed
mat he has brought the Navy to the
highest pitch of efficiency il has ever
attained lie showed foresight and
courage when others were timid and
ound. While Sir Edward Grey was
sun striving for an impossible peace
MIR. Churchill. on his own responsibil-
lily. modified the Fleet. His services
nave been immense. Probably he has
been since war broke out the most pop
ular OF all Ministers. Never will his
achievements be forgotten or coldly re-
membered, but | imagine that these
gentle reminders will do him no harm.
his is very Sanguine spirit II il
needs anything it needs discipline.
Aliens and MIR. Mckenna.
Mr. Mckenna stands in a very differ
ent category. He has all Mr.. Church
us self-conhdence; based, unlike Mr..
ShurchllIs on long record of failures.
What the public has for weeks been
asking of him is that he should open
his eyes 10 the spy-peril and to the
dangers from the presence of so many
Germans and Austrians in England
While England is at war with Ger
many and Austria. In answer to this
demand the home Secretary lately
published a statement that he had
already dealt successfully with this
danger; that the organized spy system
had been broken up; that no other
hae been or could be organized 20
take its place; and that people might
SO 20 sleep comfortably in their beds
There was in every line of it an in
credible self-complacency. II con-
WINGED nobody. IL wholly failed 20
reassure the country.
The agitation went on with daily
increasing force. Some papers made
a speciality of L. 1T was a Daily
Mail scare" said Mr.. McKenna's apol-
oSists. It is true that that powerful
journal pressed its point with vigor,
and published daily masses of deadly
facts; with great numbers of letters.
Il is also true that THE Daily Mail"
onslaught would have been Ineffective
unless it had been supported by
great body of public opinion. in the
end, the Home Secretary has capltu-
lated. Fresh orders have been issued;
fresh Investigations begun, and there
is at last a prospect that alien enemies
will 10 longer be allowed to lmperil
the safety Of the Kingdom.
Bat * present Il is q prospect. not
q fact.
The orders issued appear to be or
deIs for the arrest of alien enemies
between eighteen and forty-five years
-. 81 h., IL 70 a
Il is o sood seen, but q half-step. As
soldiers, the 10000 Germans IN Eng
land. not organized into an army, nor
capable OF being. are not formidable.
II is as spies that they are formidable,
and a spv at fifty is just as dangerous
as 3 spy at forty-fve. Nor are "natu-
rahzed"l Germans included in this or
der. IL is certain shat many Germans
have had themselves netrralized in or
der the more securely to ply their
trade az spies. Legally they are Eng
lisn. but is this & moment for techni-
cslities? Even legally they may prob
ABLY be dealt with under the recent
Defence Of the Realm Act. The arrests
of Yesterday throughout the country
amounted to about $500. A good day 5
work. but there remain about 4o,OOO
Germans still at large, plus $500 natu-
rallied aliens, plus $4,000 Austrians;
in all, about 10000 actual or potential
spies still at large.
Germany as Criminal
In "The Edinburgh Review" for Oc-
toher will be found an elaborate study
of Germany and the Laws Of war,
tomperately written, but crushing IN
its conclusions, which are three,
First There was and could be no
"var" between Germany and Belgium
In entering Belgium she became not
belligerent, but land pirate.
Second. Belgium was devastated IN
accordance with an organized disregard
Of the laws Of war. C
Third. In France also the German
commanders in the field have deliper-
ately, and as part Of an arranged pan
Of campaign, set aside the established
rules Of war. - 10
d;snuted facts, but upon admitted
Fscts. upon German Official declara-
lions: upon the highest known author
,;os and writers upon Internationa!
law gnd upon the provisions OF the
Varue Conference, to which Germany
was & party. There ~ SUN ano'N''
Modern German culture and CIV
;iization' were dangers to the whoie
vorld, beside which this present mani
Festation of brutal war Is small IN
deed" . - .h.+ ,be
And the final judgment IS that the
nations Of the world must devise means
~ hiring the authors Of all tins 10 -Ilal
- ,u1isbment. The German theorles'
81. az Oman acts are alike criminal.
the 0ei iii'''' G. W. s.