New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-09

Austria. il would seem, has bowed to Ameri-
cas- demand for the recall, pure and simple
of Dr. Dumba. President Wilson rightly re-
fused to assent to proposals for disgusting
the real character of this salutary measure OF
discipline By allowing the ambassador who
had abused his position to be Withdrawn on
the pretext of leave of absence from his post
The surrender Of the Balplatz, when 1t IN
Gerstood that Washington was in earnest Is
a timely illustration of the advantage OF hrm-
ness in the support of just and reasonable
Giplomatic claims. A recent article IN Inc
New York Tribune by Mr.. Frank II. Slmonds,
the editor Of that journal, appears to show
that some thoughtful American observers are
sensible of this advantage and would fam see
tho steadfastness to which Washington owes
its success in the Dumba incident extended TO
other and far more vital questions that are
still unsolved. We do not suppose that the
rroportion of those who share the views OF
Mr.. Simonds to the full is large, nor do we
doubt that the policy which he cr.,'cises stlll
enjoys the appreciation of the majority OF the
nation. The West and the masses, together
with a certain number of intellectual" pael-
hitherto adopted by Mr. Wilson and give him
their support But the considered opinions OF
50 acute a critic are too interesting and TOO
suggestive to be ignored. The argument OF
the article is that the President is following
two incompatible policies In regard to Ger
many, and that the combination OF the two
excludes the possibility OF a pacific solution
Of the differences between the United States
and that power. lie Is resolved, 1t Is main
tanned. upon the one hand to assert for
America the part Of champion and defender
of international law. lie IS not less resolved,
on the other hand, to avoid everything when
might Invite the criticism OF the Southern
and Middle Western constituencies, which, ne
feels certain, desire peace at any price Inc
immediate result, it is alleged, is mere drift
ing. and drifting Mr. Simonds contends, Will
ultimately lead to that very war which 1t Is
sought 20 avert
We need no. follow the reasoning step by
stem. and we disclaim any intention TO Judge
the Justice OF the conclusion. Mr.. Simonds
holds that before the sinking OF the Lusl-
tania in May America might have told Berlin
that she meant to uphold international law
in such wise as to convince Germany that
this intention would be yindicated, If neees-
sarv. by war In the alternative, America
might have accepted the German conditions.
"One policy would have been inspiring, the
other safe" What was impossible was to
combine the two But that, II is urged, Is
lust what Mr.. Wilson tried to do. He took
the highest possible moral tone In defence
o: international law. and he allowed Berlin
TO see that he relied on moral force alone
and that he had not even considered the
question Of fighting. Then came the success
sve outrages upon the Lusitana the Arabic
and the Hesperan. The President could not
recede from the ground he had taken up.
In the face Of his own words about "strlct
accountability" that would have been "a su-
preme national humiliation" He would not
take drastic action" for the South and
West favored peace at any price" lie wrote
notes, and each necessarily asserted Amer
lean championship of international law more
sharply" and defined the issues in contro-
versy more clearly than its predecessor At
one moment anxiety was relieved by the
Bernstorff promise. but the worthlessness OF
the promise was promptly shown by the
sinking Of the Hesperian, and was confirmed
by the German note upon the Arabic. This
document, as Mr.. Simonds observes, proved
that while Germany was ready TO recognize
the doctrine for which America contends she
was determined TO go on violating il in prac-
tice, producing an explanation for American
consumption in each specific case In the
American publicist's judgment, either Ger
many must make "a complete and humilisting
! surrender or Mr. Wilson must make an