New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-27
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: desire to add my protest to those
Of others against the hypocrisy of our main
tanning friendly relations" with the Teuton
murderers Of American citizens abroad and
violators of American rights at home. While
these friendly relations" are official only
and do not represent the sentiment Of the
nation. the world judges the nation by its
official actions and classes US all as towards
too weak and too commercial 70 protect our
own citizens.
Before August, 1914, many Americans
thought we'll of German industrial organiza-
ton and character, and the first shock came
when the German nation embarked unltedly
on a deliberate war Of aggression. The raw
ishing Of Belgium, the nameless cruelties, the
murders Of non-combatant men, women and
children and the pitiless policy Of frl0htful-
ness followed, with its revelation of ferocity
and barbarity. The evil result of years OF
trained obedience to sutocracy and military
despotism was here shown in its work o.
widespread desolation Though the chief re-
sponsiblity for these atrocities rests upon
the Kaiser and his General Staff, the German
nation. which approved of them and carried
them out, must also share in the heavy bur
den Of responsibility.
President Wilson did not suggest that we
should protest against the rape OF Belgium
but on the contrary strongly urged that all
Americans should be neutral. When we con-
sid.r that the issues Of this war are largely
moral. Il becomes continually clearer that
il IA the duty Of Americans not TO be neutral,
but TO enlist their hearts, minds and re-
sources on the side Of the Entente Allies, who
are fighting the battle Of civilization.
On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania was sunk b.
German torpedo, drowning over thousanc
innocent men, women and children, including
more than one hundred American citizens
The American people, thrilled with horror at
this devilish crime, awaited from the Presi-
dent the word Of moral leader which should
set them free from fear and selfshness anc
should crystallize this deep indignation into
action Mt any hazard In defence OF human
rights and Of American lives and honor But
we only received from him the enunciation
Of strange and hitherto unheard of doctrine
that Americans were "too proud to fight"
Thi. pusillanimous and individual view Is
fundamentally false both TO the Americans
Of to-day and to the Americans OF the past
who fought and died in 1776, in 1872, in
1886. in 1861 and in 1898. The President
lulled and dissipated the bitter American re
sentiment over the Lusitania by series OF
many notes, strong at first, gradually grow
ing weaker and finally fading away, till now
no one knows whether America or Germany
wrote last on thi. subject. The Lusitania
remains unatoned for and unsvenged but let
neither President Wilson nor any German
think that it is forgotten. The rejoicing in
Germany over this wholesale assassination
makes the German nation full partner in
the crime and casts a murder stain on Ger
many that will take generations to live down.
The Ancona is the latest ship to be torpedoed
with the loss of American lives and the usual
rote-sending process is now in full swing.
The inevitable result OF such cowardice in
dealing with a nation like Germany which
iings every moral restraint TO the winds and
fears only force, appears in what is virtually
a declaration Of war b. Germany against
American interests at home. For many years
mast. with Characteristic thoroughness. Ger
many has carried on system of espionage
in the United States as 10 our military and
naval affairs which has been an afront 10
this nation. Expanding this spy service ana
furnishing II millions Of bride money, Ger
many and Austria cooperating have promoted
here most active campaign, directed from
its embassy and consulates, seeking 20 pre-
vent munitions and supplies from reaching
: the Allies, and to this end forging passports