New-York tribune., 1916-06-14
TWO AMERICANS
lie Temps Paris Wilson and the TIVE
Viewpoints They Repnt-One the Champion of international
Responsibility the Other of Caution and Alooness

war in 1914 had thought fit to do so, he
could have based upon the Monroe Doctrine
a protest against the violation by Germany
Of the neutrality of Belgium and Luxemburg,
end the shades of Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe would not have rebuked him"
II is a recognized fact that the United
States has frequently shown that it knows
how to intervene with force in questions Of
general interest. It went into China in 1900.
At Ageciras it played the role Of arbiter.
Il defended the Armenians against their muir
cerers. If il had suited Mr.. Wilson to act
as the advocate for Belgium no principle
whatever existed to stay him. He did not
do so; this was his right as the ruler Of a
nation. But this right carries with it GER
tain duties Of which the simplest Is not to
medde in 1915 in questions which he syste-
matically ignored in 1914 To discover to-
day that the war is inhuman when he has
rot protested against the inhumanity of ag-
gression is, with the best intentions in the
world, to arouse the suspicion of those who
are fighting 10 defend themselves and who
intend to fight to the bitter end.
Whether direct or indirect the appeals to
peace will find US deaf for this good and suf-
fcent reason. We believe that in renewing
them Mr. Wilson-or any other ruler would
expose himself to a rebuff which it would be
better to avoid. We have approved, be-
cause it was just and clear, the last note
of the President on submarine warfare; but
we have not supposed that in signing it Mr..
Wilson intended merely to be agreeable TO US.
1t did not create a bond between him and
the Entente.
If we were to speak our whole mind we
would say that we fear that Mr.. Wilson, on
the eve of the Presidential campaign, hopes to
serve his own interests by offering himself
TO the voters as the pacifcator OF Europe. II
this were true domestic politics would IN
trude indiscreetly into the domain of inter
rational politics We doubt very much II
this argument will impress the Americans
but it is our duty to point out its neon
yenences from the point of view OF the In
tente nations.
The United States, through its best citi-
zens. has showered US with proofs OF esteem
and affection, and we are sure OF tnelr SEN
timents towards US. Their government mas
Observed strict neutrality and we have
acknowledged the correctness OF TINS atl,
tude. Let us hope that this attitude Will
continue and that inopportune suggestions
of a nature TO serve our adyersaries VIII not
become the fifmot0 of Presidential elo-
Quence.
The Russians. who refused to betray the
Serbians. the French. who remained faithful
70 the Russians; the Belgians, who refused
to break their word, and the British, who re-
iected the outrageous bargain offered By Ger
many. are nations Of the Roosevelt school
They have translated into deeds these words
of the former President: THE good citizen
must be brave and strong; that IS to say, IN
n condition 20 serve his country by the force
Of arms if need be-" Contrary to the teach
ing Of the rival school, they have not been
too proud to fight"
That is why our Allies, like ourselves, have
such an easy conscience and ears closed to
ell talk of concilation. It is unnecessary to
quote Scripture to recall US to realization
of Justice. since it is justice that We are
fighting for and it is we who are its soldiers