New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-12
America First. -

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; It Is no longer simply n question OF
whether we believe that the success OF Ger
man arms would be lasting blow to the
cause Of civilization and democracy and thus
to this country. The issue now is simpler
President Wilson recently summed up oul
present duty in the phrase America first
Let us accept that issue.
More than one hundred American citizens
including scores OF American women anC
children, have been murdered by foreign
government without vestige of excuse anC
contrary alike to the law OF nations and
every principle Of humanity. No such delib
crate slaughter Of non-combatant neutral
women and children has occurred since the
Boxer rebellion; no such hideous crime has
heretofore been perpetrated with the sane
tion Of civilized government.
Does the catchword America first" mean
only the furthering Of American business in
terests incidentally. held to be of so little
value in Mexico, or does it include the pro
lection Of American lives? In the days OF
Rome's greatness the claim "Civis romanus
sum" carried protection to the uttermost linn
its of the then known world. In the zenith
Of England's power Lord Palmerston gave the
same significance 70 the claim OF citizenship
in the empire. The world knew that unjust
attack upon a British subject would TO q GER
tanty bring down upon the culprits the might
OF England not 10 rest until the act were dis
avowed or avenged. Every great nation, In
Guiding until recently our own, has recog-
II 4h,4 H. .oI .ol; a.
life OF a national necessarily involved ma
tonal honor. In Mexico, it is true, claim
Of American citizenship to-day Is tantamount
10 an invitation TO rob, rape or murder the
despised Gringo with impunity. But such
is result Of "watchful waiting" Is that
policy TO be extended TO the rest of the
globe? Is an American abroad TO receive no
more protection from his government than a
Chinaman?
The maintenance Of diplomatic relations
with foreign power ipso facto implies that
these relations are friendly" VIII the
American people permit its authorized repre-
sentatives to continue friendly relations with
a government that deliberately orders land
dares to justify by previous Black Hand
warning the wholesale murder of American
women and children?
These question are pertinent and are being
asked to-day by thousands of sober Ameri-
cans who read with surprise and concern
such extraordinary statements as that cred
tied to responsible official like the chair
man of the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee.
The President needs the support OF all po-
litical parties for his wise determination Of
these questions. The Tribune speaks FOR n
large section Of the Republican party and
scores Of thousands of the Presidents fell
low citizens. Il can help the President 10
know the true temper OF the country By
showing him that neither the German press
nor persons with twisted mentality. like
Senator Stone, represent its real feeling;
that this people does not propose TO be rele-
gated 20 the position Of China, and that it
will not be deferred by counting the possible
consequences from q high resolve that the
national self-respect be yindicated.
The German Ambassador must be given
his passports, a council OF the neutral ma
tions called. Congress convened and adequate
appropriations asked for national defence.
DE LANCEY X. JAY.
Albany, May 10, 1915.