New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-31

The bitterness that exists here in
Rome is discouraging. Rational dis
cussion is impossible. If one suggests
that there may be something TO be said
to Offset fact with fact-one is called
pro German. Worse-if one even sug-
gests peace alternative, like continu-
Gus mediation without armistice, one
is regarded as next to suspicious. l.
who would deplore nothing so much
as a German victory-except a victory
for the Allies, believing as | do that
where there is conquest there is the in
evitable aftermash of aggression on the
part of the victor and resentment
on the part Of the vanquished, a com
bination bound TO produce future wars
I am accused of pro-German inclina
tions.
Perhaps the accusation is just |
certainly believe that the truth of
Germany's position is as yet unknown.
To know that truth one must begin "a
far back as the conference OF Madrid
in 1880. At future time, if certain
documents come into my possession, |
shall hope TO give resume OF inter-
national relation from the time of that
conference up TO date. Only with such
knowledge may the present situation
be fully comprohended. Meanwhile
keep this fact in mind: That a nation
is without the means of procedure at
the common disposal of every individ-
Ual. Ii | wish to enlarge my house or
grounds for reasons Of my own-com-
fort or necessity or what mott apply
here and there, to this person or that.
until | find somebody willing to sell
the thing that | wish to buy. The
transaction between us, when | find
such an individual, takes place quietly
and reasonably. But when a nation
wishes to expand. for reasons of her
own, there is no market where she may
purchase the land that she has need
of. She should be in a position all
nations should-to say: 81 have need
of a seaport here or a colony there.
Have you got one to sell? Ard at
what price? England says NO per-
haps; so does France. Then Germany
if it is she who is in need, applies to
Holland. Holland replies: Yes, I've a
bit of land that I do not need Java,
for instance) at such a price. Are you
prepared to pay? And they come to
an agreement.
But so desirable situation is
not possible under present arrange
ments. The moment Germany starts
on her quest England gets suspicious,
draws in her horns. The nations i'm
mediately assume a defensive position.
Peaceable bargaining is out of the
question. SO when the need becomes
too great war, as the sole method of
acquisition is resorted to.
However, | shall hope to illustrate
that situation later on.
All Hate and Intolerance.
Meanwhile here in Rome a species
of hate and intolerance is everywhere
evident. I heard one grand dame say:
81 could not shake hands with Ger
man. | could not stay in the room
with one. | think | should faint at
the sight of one" Huns, barbariaas,
savages, beasts, bloodsuckers, beyond
the pale"-these are phrases Of every
day application. One would think the
Germans alone guilty of the crime Of
warfare. People seem to forget Eng
land in South Africa, France in Mo-
rocco. Belgium in the Congo, Italy in
Trlpoli.
The use Of gas and the sinking of
the Lusitana are the greatest of the
crimes chargeable to Germany.
should think these people who deplore
gas would use arrows instead of bull
lets, if il is improvement in the
method of killing that they object TO-.
If to kill is TO decide the right or
wrong of a situation, by all logic he
who kills most and most wickedly is
most 10 be admired. To say that inter-
national usages and law forbid GER
tain forms of warfare is as absurd as
to lay down certain rules for murder
and then become indignant because
the murderer does not adhere to them.
Civilized warfare is a contradiction in
terminus
As to the sinking of the Lusitania,