Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-28
"f'irs, Citizen of the World"

GAYS the more or less cstimable Colonel
~ Roosevelt discussing the foreign policy
Of the President OF the United States: TO
treat elocution a substitute for action. to
rely upon Understanding words unless backed
by deeds. is proof of mind that dwells only
Il! iu" realm OF shadow and shame"
Says the Westminster Gazette. organ Of -
telligent and influential British opinion, dis
cussng this same policy in its most recent
development: IF Count Bernstorff is
speaking with authority, the American gov
eminent can claim TO have won very nota-
bic victory
The contrast is as complete as it is de-
ightful. exhibiting. among other things. the
essential difference between clear thinking
and the vocal substitute for that process in
which the Colonel likes to indulge.
What. indeed. are the facts. stripped Of
rhetoric and all eXaggeration? Why, that the
diplomacy of the United States, through the
whole course Of the European war, and espe-
cially in The crisis with Germany evolved
from the destruction of the Lustania has
won the reluctant admiration of the belliger-
ents. the support OF the American people and
the Whole-hearted. approval OF the neutral
world
There has been no wrong done this nation
whether by Germany by the allies, which
has been suffered TO go unrebuked or that. in
the final accounting. will fail OF atonement
In every case the American protest has been
deGnfI e---.conlmenSurat with the degree Of
the offending. There has been no palliation
OF any injury. To Germany President Wilson
has spoken with manly frmness and direct
ness. using the words his people would have
had him use and taking the stand his people
would have had him take.
Is there truth or justice in the Roosev ethan
charge that this policy has been futile? None
at all. The facts ere that the truculent and
intransigent attitude of German ot1cia Id m,
hes ban
doned and Germany brought to her senses
The German ambassador says in almost so
many words that submarine commanders
have been instructed to meet the demands
Of the United States and make no attack
without warning and due provision for the
escape OF pa sscnsers and crew. on unarmed
merchantmen.
Germany has not yet made formal nvowal
of this surrender. but that she will do so there
is every sound reason TO believe. In the case
OF the Arabic, Count Won BernstorT has in
formed Secretary Lansing that if the vessel
was sunk without warning his government
will give full sati&fa cton." That would
imply also complete reparation so far as that
is humanity possible. for the wrong done this
nation in the sinking Of the Lusitania and
an explicit promise that in the future there
will be more gross violations OF the laws
of civilized warfare.
This has been accomplished, or will be
accomplished, IL no" ~ppears, without war
between the United States and Germany
The war cloud that lowered over the la nd is
passing and thousands-perhaps hundreds of
thousands-of American lives that would
have been sacrificed now will be spared
This is the triumph that Woodrow Wilson
has achieved. Only Little while ago Brit
ish writer referred 10 our President as 1.-The
first citizen OF the world" To-day his title
10 that distinction will be questioned only
by those OF limit int ellipence narroU ~
bitter prejudice or hyphenated allegiance.