New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16
PEACE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE
Why Americans Should Uphold Allies in
Prefering War to the End
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

O AuE LuiNDi VI INC AhANNAN'
Sir: We Americans have given the strong
est evidence Of our sympsthies In the present
great war American money has flowed IKE
water into France and Belgium and Serbia
Thousands Of adventurous American sons
have died on the bsttlefelds OF France ana
many thousands more stand to-day slde oy
side with the soldiers OF the Allies. Nay
more. there are thousands Of American lam
ilies. men and women. who. in personal ser
vice for the hospitals or in extended aho
laborious work at home have contributed 70
the cause Of the Allies the best that was IN
them.
What il and what should be tho attitude
of public opinion in this country, 80 far as II
is reflected in our sacrifices, toward the Ger
man peace proposals? It is a case where even
those who have contributed no service may
still speak out.
II IS perfectly clear that these sacrifices
which we as a people have made, and continue
TO make, are not in the interest alone Of in
discriminate humanity 1t is perfectly clear
that there is an underlying something In the
cause Of the Allies which has appealed gen
orally and strongly TO the American con-
science. Nor need We 80 far TO ascertain
what this something Is. We regard this war
as death grapple between the Allies and
system which scouts at religion, humanity and
civilization. Call it German militarism. Call
il the spirit Of Thor;
Force rules the world still, has ruled IT,
shall rule 1t.
Meekncss is weakness, strength Is triumph
ant"
We Americans want to see this system
downed.
Let us not make the error OF supposing that
German militarism means the German people
as nation The pagan Thor system which,
the Allies believe, threatens the Liberties and
progress Of Europe has long had throttle
hold on the German populace. There are
many of us who hope, as al outcome OF the
present war, for German republic. When
we talk Of German militarlsm we mean the
system Of the German bureaucracy-the iron
ruler OF the German people. The iniquitous
system 10 which we refer has not in the past
been confined TO the Teutpnlc horizon But
certainly to-day we find it IN the most typical
and concentrated form in the German bu-
reaucracy.
Can We forget to-day tho sacrifices OF our
fathers In the Civil War? Have we lost the
ring Of the Battle Hymn OF the Republic"
and the spirit Of Lincoln's speech at Gettys-
burg? Do We believe that through this titanic
struggle with the rule Of force the people Of
Europe are marching on"f Shall our sons
have died IN vain on the battlefeids Of
France? Do our women who have served in
the French hospitals see no outcome more
desirable than a present peace? Did our
mothers who similarly served in our own
hospitals in tho sixties urge the sad and
steadfast Lincoln 20 compromise? II is a
terrible alternative, but those who put their
hands to the plough must not turn back.
Let us realize again tho source Of the peace
proposals the German bureaucracy, the muir
derers Of Miss Cavell, the slave drivers Of the
Belgian civilian population, the sea pirates
who have slain innocent women and children
without notice. The dumb appeal OF the SUI
feriug people Of Europe is infinitely more
really compelling. Does that appeal rise for
peace even with continued bondage, or for
freedom from bondage through continued
war? Doubtless many OF Us feel that the
responsibility is not ours. But, as the neu-
trail nation representing the largest influence
for humanity and civilization, measure Of
responsibility is thrust upon us. Does not the
real question come 10 US to-day, it did
fifty years ago-pesce without principle, or
principle through war? And can we not, and
should we not, in this spirit, uphold the arms
Of the ministers Of the Allies, whose province
il is to make formal reply TO the German
oyertures? EMLEN HARE MILLER.
Philadelphia, Penn, Dec. 10, 1916.