New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-09
A BRITISH OPINION
of The Times the Washington Correspondence OF
The Trbune-American Policy in English Eyes

equally complete abdication Of the right to
champion international law. The Arabic in
cdent may probably be got over, but there
is no prospect that there will not be an
other" and if and when it happens the ten
sion will become extreme Mr.. Simonds pre-
diets war. We altogether doubt the predic-
ton, but we agree that, if war should come,
il would be more likely to come as the result
of outraged national pride than as the con-
sequence OF calculated policy.
There are signs in other quarters that some
amongst the ADLER of American thinkers are
concerned for the effect which the attitude OF
their country may have upon her position
amongst the nations at the end Of the war.
Men of this type realize that democracy is
upon its trial not in Europe alone. Were il
beaten in Europe, the great fundamental
principles which, it represents, upon which
/. is founded and on which all its noblest and
brightest hopes depend, would lose credit
and consideration throughout the world.
Foremost amongst its aims are the extension
of the reign of law and right to international
affairs, and no government or people are
more devoted to these aims or have worked
harder for their attainment than the govern
ment and the people of the United States.
The triumph of Germany, Austria and Turkey
NOLlu IHfOlNC the HtSdNlOl VI NACSS y PAN0
and the defeat of these aims. That is demon
strated not only by the code of international
morals which these states openly profess
but by their action throughout the struggle
and very notably by Germany's cavalier
treatment of American protests against her
murderous methods of maritime war. What
would be the bearing of a victory of the
new "monarchical principle" as interpreted
and applied by Prussia-G Germany, upon
democracy beyond the Atlantic? What will
be the bearing of its defeat, If the world
struggle should show that the United States
have indeed adopted "the highest possible
tone" in defence of international law, but
that they have done no more? These are
questions not for US but for Americans TO
answer, and the interest of Mr.. Simonds 5
article is the indication it conveys that
Americans are asking them and others in
separable from them. They are taking
thought about the future prestige and moral
character of their country, and they do well
for these invaluable elements of national
greatness may easily be affected in so great a
crisis. The German agents and emissaries
y i'll no doubt seek 10 misrepresent and TO cut
short all self-questionings of the kind, just
as they are now busily incorporating the
nature of the Anglo-French loan. We do not
purpose TO comment upon the terms of this
transaction while the negotiations arc still
pending, but, in view Of German falsehoods
and insinuations, we think it well to put on
record that in this matter England and
France are not seeking financial favors from
the United States The loan is purely a
matter of mutual accommodation. Ii is in
tended solely 10 regulate the rate of eX-
change in such a manner TO facilitate
trade between the parties. IL is quite as
much TO the interest of America as OF the
Allies that an artifcially high rate OF ex-
change should not impede this trade. 4 loan
on reasonable terms is unquestionaby the
most desirable solution of the problem which
the exchange presents. There are. however
other solutions TO which the Allies could
have recourse were loan not obtainable or
such conditions. In the long run they would
b. far less favorable to Americans than the
advance of a loan, for they might easily LEAD
10 restriction of Anglo-French trade with
America in non-essentials and TO the trans
fer of gold only in payment for essentials
Whatever arguments the German opponents
Of the arrangement may invent, a loan * in
the nature of bargain. 1t is matter OF
giyc-and- take which must confer approximate
advantages to the borrowers and TO tn,
lenders. Where il fails TO do this IL loses
It's attractiveness to the one or 10 the other