New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-29
AMERICAN SENTIMENT ABROAD
Do Citizens at Home Understand
the Situation?

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t would not occur to re venture 70
offer my opinion on the duty - the United
States in the present situation were it not
that hope deferred has made me- so heartsiek
and at the same time has so stirred ny
patriotism that I can no longer refrain from
attempting to express the sentiments Of many
Americans on this side o. the Atlantic. |
have travelled around the world since the
outbreak OF the war. aud, from first feryeni
hope that the United States would not become
involved, have come to an equally feyent
desire for her to enter into this war, for II is
no longer war of nations but conflict o.
principles, in which every nation worthy Of
freedom and power is vitally concerned.
Do the people at home understand the real
situation here? Do they understand the atti-
tude Of Americans abroad? Certainly we ind
II hard to understand our countrymen. The
other day | received a letter from home say
ing, 1.-THE spirit Of the country is powerfully
against war with Germany" ! cannot COM
prehend it. Is it possible that Americans no
longer resent insults to the flag, that they are
willing to submit to insolence, arrogance and
violence such as Germany has heaped upon
US? And, to put it on higher plane, have
we so lost all sense of duty as not 10 wish 10
help in this struggle of civilization against
militarism, of humanity against barbarism'
of Gods right against eternal wrong? Shall
cur country, founded on justice, on liberty
en- the rights of mankind; our country when
has before this taken up the sword to defend
these very truths, and has established them
on many a battlefield, stand by queseent
while her battles are fought for her, while
other nations are engaged in a death sirug'
gle to support these same principles?
My correspondent says, the world needs
u.s." The world does need US at the 'front.'
on the firing line. We need not lay to our
souls the fattering JUNCTION that when inc
war is over powerful neutral nation can 90
more for humanity than if she had been IN
volved. That could only be if that nation hau
retained the respect of the rest or the worlu.
And does America think that her prese"'
course of failure to resent Germany ihs'
lence is conducive to that end?
1t is CALLING TO an Americans pride 70 near
the sighting tone in which illusion Is ire
quently made to the United States Nhen 'ns
war is over, What conditions Will pfeVa'
when that time comes? For year Germany
has held the allied armies Of Europe Amer
lea is needed now Certainly people AZ nome
cannot realize the situation here, nor the ieei'
ings Of Americans who see things from tns
point of view. Surely It is Significant %"
Dr. Watson, Of the American church IN fats,
spoke as he did on July 4; that the rector u
the American church in Florence expresses
the same sentiments on the same day; ths'
Americans meeting in these alien lands !oOn
into each others eyes with the question
spoken or unspoken, GLOW long, how long
Has Christian nation a right TO remain nee.
trail when civilization and humanity ifes1'TT
and Justice, are in jeopardy?
ave are in no condition for war says u.
correspondent. Perhaps not. "nat Vhs.
Shall we fail in duty because We are n ~
perfectly equipped to perform 1t. had ~,
GUM stopped 10 ask if she were IN conu'. ~,
to contend with the armies OF the n@ 49,.
would her gallant resistance be the au"-
ton Of the world to-day? II we are nov -
pared it is most unfortunate, but ~ does ~
touch the question Of our duty. UT =.
must delay, we can at least break dlp'o"''
relations, which would mean much. -
| am aware of the arguments for eonun ,..s
neutrality. But the very principles iot va -.
the Allies are contending are contained IN =,
Monroe Doctrine-the duty Of the strong
protect the weak, the right Of every peopt,;
work out its own development without S.'T 80.
interference, even the right and duty o. - "a
protection. Our great Secretary OF s. .s,
John Hay. declared that the diplomacy Of =.
United States was based on the Golden d. -.
and the Monroe Doctrine-and he pun
Golden Rule first. ~,
Do not think that would lightly senu ~
BOYS into this frghtful conflict. The W.
thought stops my heart. But would u ~. =
worse to feel that my country was reeI'S",t a
her duty. that she was standing apart 10 - 80
splendid security, failing to do her saaie - -
the preservation of civilization and the Pi,I
ress of humanity, and losing slowly IU w..
fear. surely, her influence for truth "nu
tice and righteousness among the nations
Florence, Italy, Aug. ., 1910