New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-22
Future in Attempting To Be Neutral,
Ideals TrampIed. is Anti-Cerman.

whit. then, will be the position OF the
United States, the only important democraue
nation remaining? II will be confronted by
a world in arms. 1t will De like rich ana
neaceable citizen in the Middle Ages, living
in the neighborhood Of well armed and ag-
gressive robber barons who are constantly
TEMPTED by his wealth and defenceless condi-
ton TO insult and plumber him. Ana "ha'
are we in that case TO hope from the frienu-
ship or good will Of Europe? What IS our
craftsmanship doing to secure our national
future under such conditions! Nothing; aD-
solutely nothing.
The Washington administration is living
in the past and ignoring the present ana the
future II is at present engaged IN fussy
attempt 10 enforce an antiquated code OF
neutral rights, without any reference 70 the
new and changed conditions, without the
backing of any other nation and without the
slightest hone of success in any quarter; and
with this in view it is sending series OF
offensive notes to each of the belligerents in
turn. We are playing an impossible role;
endeavoring all alone in a time Of almost
universal war to force on the world practi-
cal application of an obsolete international
code BY both parties we are treated win
the polite contempt due to trifers who have
!
no intention of acting upon them.
Having a quarrel with Germany on our
hands and being in danger from that quarter,
we are now busy in teasing Great Britain
into indifference or hostility, and all for moth
ing; it is not likely that she will 90 back fifty
wears in her methods just at our request.
The fact is that our government is applying
to new and exceptional situation maxms
of the ordinary national conduct OF past times.
And in so doing we are putting ourselves IN
an attitude of quasi-hostility to all the great
movers of the world. When the war ends
we will not have friend on this planet ex-
cept perhaps Norway.
We are told that at the close of the war
we will be highly respected as the head OF
the neutral bowers. But the other neutral
nations are without effective force. And is It
to be expected that nations who have been
engaged in fighting for what they consider a
great cause will either respect or fear a
commercial people "too proud to fight and
who during this great struggle for human
rights showed their spirit in profitable trad
ing and in seedlings because their trade was
interfered with? The fact is that the neu-
trail attitude of our government does not
represent the intelligence and activity Of the
American people, and only reflects the indlt-
ference and ignorance Of class, which fails
to realize the true condition OF affairs. Sucn
people are living the same fools paradise
that most of the English and Beglans were
in thirteen months ago.
The intelligent and patriotic American is
not neutral; he realizes that our interests
require the crushing defeat Of Germany and
her schemes, and that every motive Of policy
and morality urges US TO give active help TO
the cause of the Allies. For if Europe be-
comes miltarized, as it must if Germany
wins. we will have to arm to the teeth or