New-York tribune., 1914-11-23

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: It seems 20 me that the United
States Of America has failed properly
10 fulfil it's duties as q neutral, and
especially as the great neutral nation
of the world.
Our President has not only pro-
claimed neutrality of action, he has
also urged our people TO preserve a
neutrality of word and, so much as pos
sble, Of thought. There Is no clear
right and wrong az between the beilig-
erents in the cause Of the present war,
and no evident moral issue is repre-
sented by one as over against the other.
The immediate cause Of the war was a
Serbian conspiracy. resulting in the
murder of the Austrian Crown Prince,
for which Austria undertook to dlscl-
pline Servia. Behind this. and re-
sponsible for IL. lay the fatuOus and
vicious policy of Austria. backed by
Germany. in the Balkan Peninsula 10
unfolding tyranny and fomentlng an
archv in order 10 prevent the division
Of that peninsula into independent
states and to hamper the growth and
DEVELOPMENT Of those states along natu-
raj lines. BY this she reused the Serbs
invited what she received. But n
Austria and Germany were the latest
sinners in this cynical disregard OF
the religious and national aspirations
of the Balkan peoples, they were not
therefore, the only or even the greatest
sinners. England. France and Russia
have pursued there the same selfish ana
wicked policy. The great nations Of
Europe by their intrigues and rival
ries made of the Balkan Peninsula a
veritable plague spot. The curse OF
their joint creation has smtten all
alike, and all alike are responsible for
the dire catastrophe.
Germany has declared and acted
upon the philosophy that might makes
right. As a policy this IS no new
thing, however new II may be as a
philosophy of modern times. England,
France, Russia, Italy, Japan, even Bel
gium and Holland, have consistently
acted upon that policy IN the African
black belt, in South Africa and on the
Mediterranean. in Madagascar, IN
China, in Turkey, Persia and Central
Asia, and in the islands OF the Pa
cifc. even though they have not de
cared II as philosophy OF national
morality. They have seized and eX-
plotted the weaker and less civilized
nations the world over. If Germany
would do the same, believing IT needful
for the preservation and development
of her national life. she rs no whit
worse than they. Indeed, in her bald
declaration OF might makes right she
has done the world a service, uncover
ing shame and hypocrisy and making
the nations face the realities of their
national policies. As between the bel
ligerents on these grounds we may well
be neutral in thought and word, as
well as In act.
But we as nation have signed
treaties or agreements providing for
the sanctity Of neutral territory, 70
protect and safeguard the rights Of
non -belligerents and 10 humanize war
or, at least, 10 lessen, 50 far as may
be, it's horrors, that 1t shall not mean
as of old massacre and outrage,
brigandage and wanton destruction.
Because we have signed such treaties
or agreements we are bound to seek
TO enforce them. We cannot be indlf-
ferent 10 their violation. We should
protest most solemnly and nrmly
against the violation of their terms by
any Of the belligerents, even n further
action in the premises on our part
should not at the moment seem ex-
pedient. BY doing this our govern
ment would also lead the people 70 a
right judgment, informing them by Us
actions and It's voice. and thus helping
them to assume in thought aud word
that proper neutrality which is not
careless and supine. but moral and
alive. Our government should assume