New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-10

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: II is said that since the neutrality
OF Belgium was guaranteed by treaties
between certain European powers they
alone had anything to DO with the case.
That was technically true before the
second Hague conference. Even the
first Hague conference, 1899, said moth
ing with regard 10 neutrals. except as
regards their duties 20 disarm bellig-
erents entering their territory, or their
right TO care for unarmed sick or
wounded entering IT, But az the sec
ond conference the high contracting
parties explicitly treated the matter
and agreed 70 laws. They did not say
Belgium is inviolable.' or "LuXem-
territory of neutral powers is inviola-
Bile The phrase, neutral powers
means any power anywhere III the
world not taking part in war. That
doctrine of inviolability we and forty
three other powers, including Germany,
laid down. II forms the vital part OF a
treaty between the United States and
other powers" When, then, Germany
broke the law her act did not concern
England. France. Belgium and herself
alone, IL concerned us. II was not
merely a shameful act toward a brave
bat weak state, il was an offence TO
Us. And we learned by il that Ger
many considered not merely her treaty
with England, Belgium and France ii
scrap OF paper" i'm the Illuminating
words of her Chancellor, but a treaty
made between Us and her, with other
powers, merely another scrap OF paper.
If Germany Wins.
In a given country there is force 70
maintain the laws. As between coun-
tries. there has been no means. There
is. in the technical phrase, no sane
ton II is absolutely essential that
there should be a sanction. There never
can bSany except force. That cannot
be the force OF the combatants. They
are already engaged with all their
MINT in the struggle. The law break
er will 20 on breaking. II he wins
there will never even be any punish
ment. Our President has said that
these questions will be taken up at
the end of the war at The Hague. But
if Germany wins there will never be
any conference at The Hague. The
Hague will be at the War ONCE IN
Berlin. and there will be no admission.
If the Allies conquer there will be a
co lference. The forty-fOur powers VIII
take part. But even so. there can
never be any security against further
law breaking, except that powers which
are strangers TO the dispute should,
the moment there is sure violation Of
the laws of war, throw in their strength
against the guilty side. II will have
to be some powerful nation, or ma
tions, that do this. We are such ma
ton. Our fleet is the third in the
world, though our army is small. Our
resources, if brought into operation.
are great. We are also a determined
people.
Our Right to Intervene.
This is no small quarrel. The fate
Of the world hangs upon it. That which
we ought some day TO do we should do
now; should have done already.
Technical reasons, as we'll as moral
reasons, we have in abundance. Sol
emn treaties made between the United
States and other powers" including
Germany, have been broken by her.
The breaking of treaty is always a
sufficient reason for declaration OF
war, if the offended party desires. We
had a sufficient reason on the day on
which the text of the German ulti-
matum TO Belgium was published. even
ii we were doubtful about the ridicu-
lous reason given. Germany's an
nouncement that, if Belgium resisted
the violation of her territory. Germany
would regard her resistance as a hos
tile act. ..a .s-.. .-e relations of the