New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-17
IN REPLY TO JOHN BURROUGHS
Germany, Emerging from Youth to Full Power,
Deserves Our Support

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Your correspondent, the eminent naturalist
John Burroughs. with pen that does credit TO his
heart tries vany and fuely to bolster up the cause
OF the Allies by rehearsing all the old psttudes
about poor Belgium. Belgium, Of the most hu-
name nations in the world" he writes. Very "hu-
name" indeed, with the natives Of the Belgian Congo
for instance. wonder if the gentlemans trenchant
pen busy during the Boer war.
Germany had very palpable excuse for invading
Belgium, but how any one excuse England for
conquering and subjugating the Boer republics?
Greed the sole of that crime. And yet the
world has forgotten even that So will the world IN
the perspective of time understand the urgent
necessity Of Germany bese three sides by the most
powerful nations of Europe, all bent her destruc-
ton. The fact is that Servia and Belgium used
by the Triple Entente 10 web around Ger
many and Austria-Hungary, in which the latter were
10 be cntanged and destroyed by the big powers be-
fore they could extricate themselves.
Germany's crime is that she prepared 70 thwart
the designs of her enemies. She had been the battle
ground for hundreds OF years for all the armies Of
Europe; and Bismarck, her greatest and longest
headed statesman, put an end to this by making her
strong militsry. glance at the map of Europe
will show any open-minded observer the vulnerablty
OF the German Empire TO invasion If not protected
by extra strong defences and large army. Another
glance toward where the British Isles lie will show
how nature has protected them by water all sides
So then after having exhausted all her efforts in
diplomacy 10 prevent her enemies from beginning the
war and finding herself at bay with the most formi
dsble powers Of the earth, who would surely have
used Belgium as a road by which 20 attack her.
1t time for Germany 20 hesitate to the of
her defence? And yet she did hesitate long enough
10 ask permission TO place herself favorsbly in a
position TO meet her enemies Of the west.
Mr.. Burroughs may think he is a broad minded. i'm
partial and neutral citizen, but he is simply
Anglophile. He is arguing the for England
alone | should like to ask him what that nation has
ever done for US that we should sympathize espe-
cially with her. Rather do think it is time for the
United States a young and virile nation. loose
from the old mother country" myth and join hands
with that other young, virile and rising nation, Ger
many. | do not believe that Mr.. Burroughs repre-
sents the majority of the sentiment OF this country in
frowning on young nation which is passing through
much the same trials TO establish its independence
and place in the world as did the United States
i776-s3.
For that is the real pith Of the mstter-that Ger
many is emerging from youth to adolescence. and is
meeting with the opposition that is always present
in such a case. That Germany will eventually tri-
umph in this war there is no doubt in my mind. for
youth will be served" suggested (above) joining
hands with Germany, which might be OF advantage 20
US some day if Japan and her ally England should
threaten us For il is certain as night follows
day that Nippon will have 20 answer 10 the Teuton
some day for her part in this
In conclusion / will say that am American of
British ancestry WALLACE /. osborn
Newark. n. J.. Jan. 16. 1915