New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-12
A WORLD CAUSE
Why This Country Should Not Hesitate to
Join the Allies.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In the opening paragraph OF his Life
Of Dante" Boccaccio says that "Solon va,
often won't to say that every commonwealth
must go OF stand upon two feet, like as do
we ourselves of which, with ripe sagaci,y
he declared the right foot to be the allowing
Of no fault that had been committed to go IN
punished, and the left the rewarding of every
coed deed: whereto he added that IL either OF
/ tho two feet were withdrawn by vice or negli-
Cence, or were less well preserved, without
doubt that commonwealth which so Jared
must needs go halt; and if by IN chance il
should be faulty in both the two. we must
hold it as most certain that it would have no
power to stand up in any fashion
/ 1t Is beyond question that greater num-
Der Of the people of the United States are
daily coming solemnly 70 question II this ns
ton is going on its two feet with respect 10
the war in Europe. The success Of the gov
eminent in forcing from Germany some kind
of a qualified pledge 10 modify her submarine
piracy seems. when regarded IN the light OF
the highest international policy, Of doubtful
quality, and suggests a willingness 10 accept
the shadow for the substance. The NANTES,
weakening of the Allies in their professed
attitude toward any suggestion Of peace and
I tie evident anNicty Of Germany 70 md some
rretext for beginning peace negotiations hin,
at q possible ending Of the fighting before
the problems raised by the war have been
settled. These indicative facts are disquiet'
ing to the student who sees beyond the cruel
stress of the war In action.
II is evident that Intervention on the part
Of the United States would be tremendously
effective just at this time, and would throw
I 81. . L. 80. y.
pears that we have the fate Of the world n
orr hands We seem to shrink from the trust
Are we standing upon our two feet7 Is 70
not time now TO consider what this country
stands for in the world? We have been bred
- believe that the republic Of the United
States almost Of divine origin, and was
destined 10 insure liberty 20 all men. We
have been taught that civilization was 10 be
developed in the United States, free from
the checks il suffered in monsrchies. We
have been told that here man was 20 be de-
yeloped without the restraints and limts-
tons elsewhere imposed upon him. Brother
hood. we have learned. was here 10 be pro-
noted
Now that there is an opportunity 20 put
the world a century ahead we falter. and DO
appears that We are going 20 neglect e. The
var in Europe is a perfectly causeless strug
gle, so far as distinct national issues are cor
cerned. II there is any cause for it, % Is a
world cause. Either the nations are lighting
perfectly futile among themselves or
there is a war between human progress ana
human thraldom going on. In either case u
IS our duty 20 undertake 70 put an end 70 l'
IL is becoming startlingly clear that II the
United States keeps out OF this war u WI"
become a craven nation II will have 20 oeu'
its history, be false 20 its basic motives, u '
does not now come 20 the rescue OF I'M
perilled humanity II will assist IN putting
limit 20 progress in the world u D. refrain.
from helping the Allies 10 win. II the Ai''e'
win without our help. as they will France
will become the great human nation OF ln,
world We will sink 20 or below the level Of
old Russia, below Japan. Japan has tecn'
nically Joined the Allies and stands ready 70
give all possible assistance 20 them Is CIV
ing them that assistance. Little more wou.a
be required of Us than Japan Is giving We
would not have 10 enter the night m any D's
way, II at all. We would have only 70 eAei'
pressure economic. diplomatic, ethical We
would be in a position 20 do openly wnat We
have done covertly in the way Of aiding me
Allies. We would be able 10 furnish them
munitions and money withhold supplies from
Germany. help patrol the seas and, possibly
furnish volunteer troops Probably our entry
into the war as active ally Of the Allies would
operate TO end the war with a minimum Oh
further lighting. and end il as u ought 10 Dc
ended.
Ir view of all the facts facts OF history
as we'll as facts of this war why should we
not make an alliance with the Allies and help
10 make the German ambitions impossioleE
GEORGE FRENCH.
Glen Ridge, n. j., May 81, 1916.