New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-14
HYSTERICAL NATIONS
All of Those at War Must Be Treat
ed as Emotionally Unstable.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The philosophical observer must feel
that dangerous form of hysteria, approach
ing dcmentia has afflicted Germany, and that
tendency toward the same Misunderstanding
disorder is manifesty growing in England.
We cannot effectively argue with one in
the grasp Of hysteria or Of dementia. Such
one Is obsessed by one or more fixed
ideas, by lack of any sense OF proportion, ana
is utterly unamenable to reason. He is Ike
a child or weak-minded person, whose only
reply to question or argument Is: BECAUSE
Because wish it," because will have it.
But hysteria generally passes away and
the mind becomes unclouded and reason re-
sumes her sway.
When n member Of ones family is hys-
terical neither reason nor force has any
efficiency. Infinite tenderness, patience ana
consideration long continued may be ana
usually are helpful
England and her allies and Germany and
her allies are equally fixed in their ideas az
to the object of the war and the rights IN
volved, and both deem the United states 10
be unfair in its diplomatic demands and uh-
wise and unreasonable in insisting upon an
immediate recognition of the rights cialheu
| for Americans.
We Americans are but n greater England
In company with the older England we have
the same language and literature, the same
Bible. Shakespeare and Milton; the same Gus
toms. habits and common law, and largely the
same religion. In all high essentials we are
one and the same race and people. These
vital facts have not been materially changed
nv the large admxture of other races
Language. law, customs and religion, all the
dominant factors of race, have made US
essentially and unchangeably English.
And so it Is that /, of English descent and
a careful student of this war and its eondi-
tions, am body, heart and soul in full sym
pathy with England as against Germany
But ! am not able to agree fully with Sir
Edward Grey's last remarkably fine note
Hysteria may be contagious universal
endemic prevails in Europe, and there are
symptoms of it's presence in America. Bryan,
a few Irish and most Germans have hysterla
in its worst form.
Our President and Mr. Lansing have thus
far escaped it,
But is it not now the part of the United
States to treat both England and Germany
as "hysterics"? Should we not-not sacrI-
fcing any vital right-temporize with anG
humor them as spoiled and angry children,
temporarily too afflicted for effective reason
Our differences with England do not IN
volve "life" or "honor' and relate solely to
questions of property and legal construc
ton. Surely such questions do not require
immediate settlement. Why may they not
stand over for, say, one year, and be sub
mitted TO suitable legal action? Is not the
same idea applicable to the German notes
EXCEPT that "life" being involved by German
actions, no postponement should lie IN mat
regard Would not full German assurance
that no merchant or passenger ships would
be destroyed without ample provision ana
time for lifesaving justify the United States
in postponng the final adjustment 20 more
convenient season and TO settlement by the
forms of legal proceeding?
Where too grievous hardships might occur
bv delay in payment of the claimed dam
ages, advance relief might be provided by
our own government.
Cash in hand is not a necessity so long
as we stand firm for our rights.
So close is our kinship with England, so
many worthy Germans are fellow citizens
that il seems to the writer that America may
90 as far as is honorably possible IN the eN-
ercise of patience and tender considerable
TO our great and good friends, the hnglIsA
and German peoples, while they are the VIC
Tins of hvstera When its clouds 20 by we
NAV all of US better see what IS fair ana
right. .,.r.o,,
JOSEPH CULBERTSON CLAYTON.
urookIvn Aup z 1915.