New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-14
AMERICAS ATTITUDE
Too Much Neutrality, Regardless
of the Fate of Liberty.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Who can doubt that a triumphsn:
Germany as soon as she had rested would
make short shrft Of the South American
republics, and would soon seek to impose her
will upon the United States itself? II is
as much in the interests Of the United States
that German despotsm should be brought
low as it is in the interests Of the British
Empire, and the United States will benefit
without firing a shot or sacrificing man.
Why, then, should the United States seek
to hamper and cripple the efforts which the
British feet is putting forth TO strange the
mad dog which is now running amuek in
Europe? Were it not for the British feet the
whole world would at this hour be at the
feet of Germany. If the United States view
were accepted by England not only would the
war be prolonged, but it would cause the ad-
ditional destruction of hundreds Of thou
sands of the best lives in Britain, France
Russia and Italy In view Of all the cireum'
stances surrounding this war, is it inspiring
to see a great country Ike the United States
insisting on the adoption Of its view, even II
il were technically correct?
The root of it all is, think, 70 be found
in the feverish desire of the United states
government to remain absolutely neutral 10
the great struggle for human liberty, even
though liberty be forever silenced. The gov
eminent desires to 90 according to the 0On'
and exact its pound Of flesh from 81 sn'
belligerents as far as it can, making no as
tinction between humane man hghtng w
his neighbors as well as for himself anu
murderer, who is endeavorng to Kill eve"
one who stands in the way Of his desires
Look at the invasion and devastation o.
Belgium and the massacre and rape o. "
inhabitants! Look at the bombardment NV"
sea and sky Of defenceless cities ana w
murder OF women and children the's'N'
Look at the atrocities committed on ths 80
that would cause to blush the most eIu'S,
pirate who sailed the seas under the 'A'''
and crossbones in the days Of old! -.
1t is difficult TO understand the deA"SN
balancing of neutrality which has been o'
played by the government OF the -,
States since the war began. IL is cef'S."
bloodless in more ways than one. Inc "a
minds in the United States are oppos.D
it. and the other day your creates. -
light in literature renowned ms c''@eN'S -,
because of it. Few people had any des"e
the government of the United states =" ~
the Allies in the stupendous struggle !" W.,
they are engaged. But every one d'u 49,
that it would have placed on record W -.
horrence of Germany's methods OF ""i4ai
The other neutral nations lying al Ueim' ~,
door are so small and weak that they - -,
not utter a sound, but it is not so WIFE ~
United States. IA,
The attitude of The Tribune ana O.'t,
papers is equally puzzling. The lHOa M.
intellectually on the side OF tne Ia,
but il has never protested against INC s.,o,.l
Of the government in regard TO ihIslne -,
atrocities. Then, when American Ths
were fouly murdered on the Lus''""'a OK.
Tribune and other New York ne"sp4P' Ira.
hausted the vocabulary of righteous ~ bu,
ton in denunciation of Germany 4''''" md
always with the qualification tha' " .,sy
not lead to war, as if a nation Ike uS .ranse
would pay any attention to reu'" ~ 4,
unless il knew that it would be os'A''
by force if necessary. h.As
Again, the other day, The Tribune Ia,
splendid article on how the bh'lso ~. in
was as much concerned as were the A'.'' Ia
the destruction of German miIItSf's"- al,
other words, the Allies were poul'u,s IN
blood and treasure beyond I,,TSaJi,,i
the struggle, and if they win the viii
States, without losing man AIMS"
gain as much as they but in the me NEE vita
American trade must not be interie'ss his
or restricted. 1t, therefore. comes 70 go 10
that the United States is willing 10 ION
other nations the battle for human i i,.t 20
and to reap the benefit, but is no. ~' ,',ctory.
sacrifice any trade in order TO hasten navaRE
Ottawa, Canada, Aug. Z, lslo.