New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-11
AMERICAN SPIRIT TO-DAY
Quite Tanned, as Our President
Rightly Conceives.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
! Sir: Your editorials on the American
foreign policy are most interesting, and also
stimulating 20 patriotism. But believe you
have overlooked two significant factors in
your analysis of the American attitude
First-The Press Of the United States may
be said TO reflect the emotional and mental
trend Of the people. Let US take the New
York papers as an index Of the sentiment of
the American people. With the brilliant ex-
ception of the New York Tribune and one
two other leading papers, the sentiment
OF the Press appears to be against war, no
matter what the provocation, and for peace
at almost any price.
In support Of this statement / refer TO the
editorial comments and headlines of most of
TIE Eastern papers when Germany appeared
10 back down after the Arabic sinking, There
was universal congratulation for President
Wilson for what then appeared TO be great
and bloodless diplomatic victory. The domi-
nant note of the Press then was relief
tremendous relief. and perhaps gratitude for
our escape from a situation that had threat
ehed war. And the burden of that song of
relief was not Remember the Lusitania" but
Forget the Lusitania," if forgetfulness would
keep us out of war ...... ....
Basing my opinion on the expressions OF
the majority of the New York newspapers
and on the reactions Of many New York
audiences when war and peace were discussed,
am forced to believe that your conclusion
is incorrect that the majority OF the
American people want 10 avenge the Lusi-
tania if vengeance means war.
Furthermore. I believe that the attitude OF
the American people in this world crisis. as
defined by most of their representative
newspapers, demonstrates that american
psychology has undergone profound change
since the Civil War. We saw the beginnings
G.. that change in the American attitude
toward the Vrginius affair in President
Grants time: also in the bitter opposition in
1898 to remembering the Maine. There could
be no greater or more significant contrast
than that between the American spirit o.
to-day toward foreign aggression and the
American spirit of 1916, 1872, 1847 and 1864.
Secondly-In your criticism Of President
ilson for his conduct of our foreign policy
in Mexico and in Europe | believe that you
have overlooked an important aspect OF the
Presidential function. A President Is the
leader but also the servant of the people.
President may act on his own initiative IN
sudden emergencies where there is not time
to find out the will Of the people. At least,
that is so in theory. But in the present
situation the weight of the Press OF the
country is against war.
President Wilson has therefore no option
but to obey the will Of the people. or of most
of the people, and he is faithfully doing so.
That this is his attitude is shown by his
change Of front about preparedness During
the early months Of the war our people
showed no interest or desire for military
strength: in fact, they were rather hostile TO
il. But when the change came coincident
with the long series Of German victories
and our people began to fear that our turn
might come. ard that it would De safer TO
arm for defence. President Wilson responded
10 the peoples demand at once and began 20
work for preparedness.
The majority of the American people re-
gret the Lusitania horror. But, as said be-
fore, they do not wish TO avenge 1t II
vengeance means war. Compared with the
standard of 1875 this may not seem noble
enc TO some; but then standards change, and
this seems to be the public attitude that now
cCnfronts the President, demanding that he
act in accordance with it.
No. II the spirit Of the American foreign
policy Of 1915 is not that Of l776. the re-
sponsibility does not lie with the President
but with the changed American people,
whose agent he is and whose will he must
evacute {. X.
New York Dec. s, 1915