New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-27
pealizes That Vast Major
ity of Americans Con
denim Germany.
OPINION FORMED
BY DOCUMENTS
Published Diplomatic Core
spondence Evidence on Which
Our Judgment Is Based.
p, cas,. 70 u, Trbun, ]


Iordon. Feb. o. The Daily Chron-
;,,so publishes this morning the fol-
Living article entitled The Position
=, the United States in the War" by
yi,eourt Bryce, former British Am
l,sador 20 the United States:
As there has never been any war
which affected neutral countries so
6,sply snd m so many ways. neither
has there ever been any in which the
htlligerents we're 80 anxious 10 have
he moral support Of neutral countries
md 10 know what we're the ideas and
judgments OF those who, as spectators,
could think and Judge impartially.
Errlishmen are, Of course, specially in
t,rested IN knowing what the people Of
n. United States think. Like most
ether persons who spent some time IN
the United States. have found myself
constantly questioned about American
public opinion and the attitude of the
American government. As neither Of
these things seems to be duly under
stood here, il may be worth while to
put on paper the impressions l have
been deriving from many private let
tiers which have reached me, some Of
them from men Of distinction and
weight IN America, who comprehend
the mind Of their countrymen as no
stranger can do, and whom know to
be calm, dispassionste and penetrating
Observers Of current events
AS TO the general feeling in the
United States my correspondents en-
tirely agree with what may be gath
cred from tho leading American jour
nails The vast majority of the people
condemn the German government, lay
irg the hlnme for the outbreak OF the
strife upon il and Austria. This they
do not from racial sympathy with Eng
land, nor from their traditional friendli-
ness 20 France, but because their read
ing of the diplomatic correspondence
IN the first half Of August convinced
them that Germany was the aggressor
and had put herself utterly in the
wrong by the invasion Of Belgium.
German Propaganda Unrcmitting.
ITO this conviction they have adhered
despite the unremittng efforts of an
elaborate German propaganda TO bring
them round. The conviction has, in
fact, been deepened BY Indignation at
the treatment which Belgium was made
10 suffer, and il was further deepened
as time went on by what they learned
about the character OF the government
in Germany and the spirit OF the mill
tary caste which dominates that coun-
try. The reading Of General Won Bern
hardi and his school has affected them
Just as il affected us. Ardently at
tached 10 their own democratic lnsu-
buttons, they think that freedom is a.
issue in this conflict because the ruling
powers in Germany hate democracy
and would like 10 qucll It wherever
they could.
Upon the minor issues sumo among
them might side sometimes with Ger
many. sometimes with the Allies, but
on the main and vita, issue they arc all
clear. To their eyes Germany stands
against Freedom; England and Fran ce
stand for il.
"Of the small minority have heard
II put At less than 10 per cent who
support the German cause, nearly all
are men Of German birth, who have
naturally retained their attachment for
their mother country. and who hold that
Germany is the injured party; that she
IS the champion of civilization against
Russia. and that Belgium has only
herself 10 blame for having attempted
swain resistance. There are also Ger
mans Of the second generation who take
I'll, view. Americans tell me that they
are very few. Anyhow, l. is complete
error % assume that the bulk Of those
who bear German names and own to
German blood belong TO the pro-Ger-
man party. Children Of Europeans.
VINO were born in America, grow up
normal Am rican citizens, for all prac-
teal purposes Their loyalty is 10 the
Stars and Stripes. and their feeling for
the land Of their parents is compare
lively weak
What is called the German vote is
IN some few cities a force to be
reckoned with. but when those who lead
:, try 70 use il as a means Of applylnt
political pressure in such case as
this, native Americans resent such an
attempt, for with them II Us fund.-
mental principle that a citizen must
have no loyalty save TO the United
States. and the great bulk even OF
hyphenated Communications would
refuse 70 respond.
Neutral in Letter and Spirit.
80 much for the people. The gov
eminent has, Of course. declared itself
absolutely neutral in letter and m
spirit As was 10 be expected, both
sides have blamed IL, and IL claims that
this is the best proof Of it, impartial
ity. Friends Of Germany would have
liked u 10 buy IN the many German
vessels that sought shelter in Ameri-
can harbors In order that their price
might be sent 20 Germany. and have
c'amored for prohibition of the sale Of
munitions of war 20 England and
France.
THE Opposition, deeply moved by the
tragic fate OF Belgium, censure the ad-
mInistration for having failed 70 enter
q solemn protest against the violation
Of Belgian territory and the fagrant
breaches OF the rules Of warfare pre-
scribcd by The Hague Convention that
have followed
"Mr Roosevelt has put the case with
his usual carnestness and power, and
most Of US will be disposed 20 agree
with him, for the way in which the
Hague provisions. designed TO mitigate
The hideousness Of war. have been tram
pied under foot IS a sad setback in
human progress.
But IT is right that the other side
o. the case should be put. The Unite
States is the greatest Of the neutral
powers the administration might con
ceiye that many questions will arise
curing the war in which the rights Of
oil neutrals would be involved, and
nigh, think that the authority with