The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-10
THE NEW

To TIE EDITOR OF THE suN-Sir: II
you gentlemen Of the press correctly in
form US, we are practising here a new
method OF diplomacy.
POLITICALLY 1t may be described as keep
ing the ear close to the ground, inter-
pretlng the solemn music of the ground
swell and thereby discovering the char
acter and extent OF the storm which a
succession OF untoward occurrences
arouses in this lane Of peace.
Concretely, as you describe Il, what
happens is this Whenever some Incl
lent occurs which seems to call for a
their editorials and the erusions Of wat
they now call their Contributing edl-
tors" also m~ultitudinous letters and tele-
grams sent post haste to Washington,
are gathered together. and from this huge
mass Of dissertation there Is drawn out
by some process of distillatlon what is
taken as being the expression OF what
suits most people in this country at that
time. To his conception of the will of
the people action or non-act!on is con-
formed. 1t is not surprising II TIE char
acter of this Oscillation varies from time
to time, for, as a people, we seem to be
quick forgetters,
Some OF us prefer the old style OF d.
plomacy. which. ~disregarding ephemeral
deliberations, was ba sed on convictions.
on an abiding faith in the public spirit
OF the country, on principles. settled poll
c!es and presidents. 1t had. at least. the
merit OF being consistent. But w are,
perhaps, behind the age. which no doubt
connotes progress In diplomacy as in
everything else. From the well nigh uni
versal consensus VITA which the metro
the conspicuous triumph our new di-
rlomacy had won. there seems nothing to
do but accept It. humbly though re-
gretfully. as our future guide through
the hot ploughshares which seem TO be
scattered across our path.
But II this is to be tho practice #
each step is to be taken in accordance
with some fresh informal expression OF
the opinion OF such OF us as choose 10
voice one. those whose expression be
comes thus potent should always be kept
fully advised of all the facts upon which
they announce their conclusions.
As was said before. we seem to he
quick forgetters but there is one incl
dent which We have not yet had a chance
to forget, because We have not yet beer
told its whole story, 1t Is many weeks
since r., orduna was attacked on a
peaceful voyage to this country fortu'
pedo, missed her. We saw some news.
paper accounts OF this and were told &c
wait. The Government thereupon Sc.
cured a number OF affdavits from per.
Sons on board of the steamer, each OF
whom, we were told, was cautioned not
10 tell anybody what he had sworn TO.
We are waiting yet TO be informed
as to the contents OF those ~afidavlts
waiting also to learn whether Germany
proffered any narrative Of the incident
which it would probably not describe n,
"regrettable' since no American was
Killed. From a purely military point o
view failure to hit a mark the size o
the Orduna might be considered regret
table. We are waiting also to know 4
Germany was ever asked about II, anC
II 50, whether she vouchsafed any reply
Why is this supposed incident thu
bottled up? II II never occurred, WA
not tell us so and have done with II
If it did occur, why not tell us all there
is 10 know about it? II as each of thiI
long succession OF incidents occurs ",
are all to rush into print or write let.
tiers or send kilograms so as to present
such a comprehensive expression oil
opinion as will secure a trustworth!
distillation, how can we do so intelil
gently unless we are fully Informed az
to all the facts?
OF course in the old style of diplo.
macy there were always certain re,
licences till those who had the matter In
hand could formulate and u theiI
next step, But II each step Is to be-
-
adjusted to some general deliverance OF
the people at large, surely there SHOULD
be no r-ticences from them.
The same remarks apply to certain
other matters, alleged exasperatlng a.
tivities. The newspapers have r~eferre,
from time to time to sworn proofs 70.
warded to Washington in regard I,
man. OF them. What do these proof
amount to? What do they disclose
Under the old practice. no reasonabl
man would seek to embarrass the Gov
rnmen by asking for their contents, b.
cause It would be understood tina tn
Government had its settled policy 10
vlndicating tho rights and dignity of tn
nation In tho way diplomacy in the pas
has done 80. But II a new departur
requires a sort Of voluntary referendum
=. a preliminary to zach step. full en-