The Washington herald., 1916-05-29

America ought to do, but I gathered
tnst il Congress ever should see ft to
send an expeditionary force over here
1t would be welcomed with indescrfb-
able enthusiasm. This will be due. l
think, not much to any extraor-
dinary love for America as to the fact
that soldiers and civilians alike will
feel the action of the greatest neutral
symbolizes the condemnation OF the
world for Germany.
have even heard debated with eager
interest the exact point on the battle
line where an American force would like
10 be placed. Any position 1t wants,
was essued, 1t can have. A group OF
soldiers, two of whom command more
troops than America could put in the field
In six months, discussed the question
half in fun and half in earnest and
finally the ideal position was picked out
and American headquarter named. / will
not mention the town, for the censorial
habit Of deleting names might even ex-
tend to this hypothetical case
Sympathy for Belgium.
America, these men argued. sympa-
thtZes first and foremost with Belgium
He soldiers, therefore, would prefer to
f-ht in Belgium rather than in France
since the Franco-German quarrel does not
concern the United States in the least.
N
the brave Belgian army and the Cam
adams were suggested. The reader will
have no difficulty in locating the pro-
posed American sector in the neigh
bOrhood Of the User canal
All this need not be taken too serious
ly, but on my return to London l dis
cussed the participation of the United
States in the war with a man of great
prominence and high position, whose sym
pathies with the problems and perpIexi-
ties Of Washington as they affect Eng
land as well as Germany have been mark
ed from the beginning Of the war.
IF YOU come In, you will send uS
troops" Re said decidedly. though YOU
have no present intention Of doing So
comprehend all the arguments that will
be used against it. America, 1t will be
urged by your people, must not because
Of a quarrel over submarines so far
abandon her historic principles as to send
troops to Europe and thereby entirely
forego her political isolation The argu-
ment will also be used that even though
Germany has forced you into war. Won
have not Joined the Entente, and will
carry on your war on your own account
That position l expect the Washington
administration to adopt at the begin
hing"
Result of Break
What makes you think that we will
enter the war; / asked. Does II not
seem that the president might merely
break OF diplomatic relations as we did
with Mexico long ago?'
II the break comes, war will follow"
the statesman said most decidedly. If
Germany permits a break, it will mean
that she declines to yield on the SUBJ
marine issue. and that implies that mora
ships will be sunk. more American lives
lost or placed in jeopardy. What then?
Diplomacy will be exhausted: no more
notes or protests possible Nothing will
remain but a declaration of war Any
thing else would put your country in a
ridiculous position. expect an intervaf
Of some time between the break and war
for Germany will probably not fight you
Gntil she has to do So
Would Send Soldiers.
II know the American people" he
replied, you will send soldiers across
despite all your good resolutions not TO,
expect great wave of anger and
patriotism, to the astonishment of super.
ncial Europeans who do not know your
pepols, to sweep over the United States
Nnen war follows more murders Of YOUR
citizens All the warnings Of your poll
dcians, believe, will be unheeded When
Americans are asked to sit still and do
no nghttng against the great barbaric
DONeE Nhch Is successfully wtthstanding
tne civilized world, and with whom they,
too, are at war. they will look across
their northern border and see little Cana
d. with her $4,000 men in arms, straining
every nerve for what will be then tho
American cause
The example of Canada would be suf-
ncient. but you will look across and see
Belgium still under the heel of the IN.
Vaoeri you viii remember that you had
cit
when the break with Germany came,,sn6
you VIII be eager to help US free Belgium.
Those stupid persons who have portrayed
for nearly two years a great, nlercenary
hint-hearted power eager to make money
out Of the heart blood of Europe viii
sink away as best they can from the
"a We have siUayx lovad