New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-18
WORG ID WAR BRINGS OUT OUR GREAT CONSERVATIVE
What Is the Secret OF the Personally
of the Man Who Is the Master
Shaper of the Constitutional
C0mve mGiOn?

Nevertheless he feels as keenly as any One
the invasion Of the country's rights as a neu.
trail nation, it is said A man who has talked
much with him is authority for the statement
that the violation of the neutrality Of Bel
GUM and the sinking of the Lusitania have
moved him profoundly; but he is reluctant 70
seem an intruder or seeker after prorni.
hence.
If his voice, as far as the public is con.
cerred. is STILL his influence is bearing frut
in the work and attitude of others who are not
tethered as he is by official prophecies, and
traditions. and respect for the men who are
laborirg under heavy responsibilities.
The man closest to him at Albany is Henry
I, Stimson. It has been pointed out that
Stimson. speaking unquestionably his own
views, would not have made the plea for war
preparedness that he did at Carnegie Hall il
he had felt that it was not consonant with the
views of the chief for whom ne has an almost
filial devotion.
People who have suggested TO Mr.. Root in.
terest in a peace propaganda have net found
him responsive, not because he is not as fer.
vently hopeful of a speedy peace as any Of the
so-called peace propagandists, but because he
refuses TO blink for popular approval ard in
sists on looking the facts squarely IN the face.
peace now would be little more than
truce until one or another Of the powers felt
they were advantageously placed for a re.
opening of hostilities.
So, too, those who have suggested that this
government should take part in the formation
of an international police have, 10 his mind,
failed to take a comprehensive view. To pO-
lice situation, a district, or a world, carries
with it very heavy oblgation-if this govern.
ment were to enter into an international po
lice agreement it would mean that it would
have TO agree TO 90 to war with whatever
power the international police were called on
to discipline.
1t would also mean that the United States
in all probability would be called on to have
ready certain quota Of men and ships to
take part in these police and disciplining
movements. Not an easy question to settle
would be which government should furnish the
command for these international police. 1t is
difficult to imagine time when the United
States government would be ready and win
ing to turn over American men and American
ships to be used as police against some power
with whom it had no quarrel whatsoever.
Some day, when the convention is over Eihu
Root will speak perhaps, for pressure from
outside is strong. Nor will it be the expires.
sion Of chimercal thought, fancifully clothed
nor the hot product of astigmatic idealism
that finds peace and panaceas in the sky It
will be the sober thought of the Man Of Law
who has not been befogged by the rapidly Of
events. and whose stand will be none the less
human because Of the belief that nations as
we'll as men, must follow law-and that such
interesting, if not carefully thought out sug'
gestions as an international police must first
find nations in honored agreement to uphold
and abide by the law of nations.