New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-23
A RECORD OF IGNOMINY
National Honor Sacrificed to Fear
of Political Consequences.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: If the government of the United
States, after supinely looking for thirteen
months upon the calculated violation Of mo-
rality and right for the purpose Of extin-
gushing every trace of democracy and estab-
fishing Teutonic dynasties as lords OF the
earth, shall now wage war in behalf OF the
Allies and of progressive civilization, 1t Will
be with small merit. 1t will be like the des-
perate defence of the coward who can no
longer retreat.
Not since August /, 1914, has any fairly
well informed publicist of America, England,
France or Russia had any doubt as TO the
total absence of any sense of moral right
in the Kaiser end his generals, nor that that
chief monster of all time has in cold cruelty
violated every treaty in his way, deliberately
organized campaigns of frightfulness by land,
by sea, by air and by poison, and has permit
ted his officers to command rape and massa-
ere of the defenceless and through pure dew
ilishness laid waste many of the chief glorles
of art and nature And this very largely
from sheer hate and without the hope Of
military advantage.
Has not full year (more hideous than
any in the pasD of such total depravity, such
avowed contempt Of right, such rapings.
massacring, footing and running solely to
glorify and magnify the House OF Hohen-
zollern stirred the emotions Of our admin
istreton enough to cause righteous wrath
TO tqke the place Of seesaw notes OF almost
slavering politeness7
Has not patience long enough been tried?
In fact, would not further patience degen-
crate into pitiabe cowardice?
The violation of Belgian neutrality in real
effect and intent violated our neutrality and
that Of all other neutrals. 1t was concrete
declaration to the world that the all-wise,
all-powerfu Hohenzollern would despise any
treaty as a "mere scrap of paper" and visit
upo1 all peoples who stood in his way the
shame and desoation meted TO the Belgians,
his faithful allies and proteges for eighty
years. They simply stood on their ancient
rights and resisted his knavshness, so that,
though desolated beyond all peoples, they
surpsss all in the splendor of their honor
and courage on the naked issue of right.
The real Americans have proved their
sympathy by lavish gifts to Belgium. while
their President, though head of the chief
neutral country, has not said or done any
thing even by protest against the monu-
mental infamies against that noblest Of
countries.
Like Micawber, Mr.. Wilson has waited for
something to turn up, while he confines him
self to the demands of party politics, the
continued success of the Democratic party
and his own reelection.
The leader Of his party, his duty was to
lead. But he is still watching and waiting
for something to happen that may make for
his party. Waiting to hear the populace
shout before taking such action as it may
demand.
Not this the part of a leader; 1t is but
the pitiable way Of the castaway without
course, oars or helm; drifting at night,
trem bling at the roar of the destroying
breakers.
Still waiting waiting for the fiat of the
mighty man of Germany to the shaking
drifter who contemptibly gives up to wait
ing and party what was meant for action
and mankind.
Tho next breeze that floats from the east
may bring the Kaiser's cry, "War with Amer
lea, richer in loot than all Europe, poorer
in spirit than one of my dachshundel"
Without the flicker of an eyelash we can
spare a billion as a loan without security.
but our administration has not spirit enough
really to resent any of scores of injuries and
insults. Goaded by the universal demand of
the press finally, Austria, in words Of ex-
cessive politeness, received a hint to recall
the unspeakable Dumba. Aghast the next
moment at such temerity it now seems that
DuTba will be permitted to withdraw as of
his own motion to report" to his own gov
eminent.
avoid war at any and every cost" says
a