New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-25
"REPRISAL"
A Canadians Comments on Our Present
Relations with Great Britain.
To the Editor of The Tribune.


Sir: have only just seen reprint Of your
leader of September 7. | thank you for your
very kindly intent, but is it not rather a:e
in the day? Are not you gentlemen OF the
press to blame for the ignorance Of the pub
lie of Greater Britain as to the true feeling
Of the states toward US? Has not the whole
British press, the whole Canadian pf.s'
and a large portion OF the better Ga"
United States press conspred 70 present q
false picture to the British public? The bri'-
sh and Canadian newspapers have hltner"
only reprinted United States press articles
showing friendship for Britain; consider
able portion of the United States press has
falsely presented its own very laudabe views
of us as being those OF the major portion Of
the U. s. A The intent was good and kIha
but the effect Is bad and unkind, and "" u
not bound to be so? OF what use 10 deceive
whole nation?
For exactly twenty-five years have known
the true state of United States sentiment
toward US; have done my best to countsrs''
the false teachings Of the press, but wns'
chance had 1? The British press ignored M
letters; the British public, entertaining oh'y
the kindliest feelings toward the UnNea
States, scorned the idea that your people were
deliberately educated to dislike US from child
hood. A wilfully deceived people is dou0"
bitter; up to now the dislike between the '''
people has been wholly one-sided; from NV
on the British will be the more bitter OF 'n'
two Certainly the United States is the io'''
in this; they have lost a real and us'
friend: we never had one, so have los' n0'H
ing. ,,
You draw an analogy between the lNN
affair and the present case; there F" NJ
You were fighting your own brothef' a y,
cent man and as clean fighter as y0-,
self. The issue affected US only sentiments,
ly. Were you really fighting the cause :.
liberty and civilization? Was not the hlssa
side issue? Were you not rather hsn'n'
TO bind your brother in the chains OF ~,
will? Unity-does not the Hun pleao -
excuse? Is he not seeking to unite the "n''.
world in the bonds of kultur? IL depenS' I,
the point of view; from his viewpoint ne
right. He does evil that good may e0 S",
Did not you the same? Not such evil ."
evil natheless.
disguised and unashamed; we are hsn'"
for all democracy; we are hgnthg ioi liz
God and ours. The issue affects you sq "a
with ourselves. Is il reasonable, Is II !O'" -
ask US TO imperil and sacrifice the I'VE
thousands of our dear ones that you -,
suffer no pecuniary loss? As rega'us -,
United States, these points Of con,enUVn
purely legal questions that could, ana -,
be settled amicably after the war. out ~, -,
they are matters Of life and death. Gan
not wait little while for your pou"'
flesh? III,
II is this evident selfshness-s h0ri%S
selfshness subordinates NE 80.
ship, every holy ideal to the dollar Una. t,s
bitters us. And now you show Us wnS' "a.
of us have long seen-an undissulssO b,ep
tilty on the part Of those we ha'e
taught TO regard our friends. -, 70
| pray that Britain will not give ,.ssdy
you; that would render your people o.. Ne.
overweening cgotism TOO unbeArao'e' al
lieve we have justice. both Legal anu i've
on our side: therefore. We sh0ul" aos,
in. This does not mean war. but ,'srv
mean that when your hour Of trial anu n. a.
comes. AS il must. if God be Jus'' anu
we shall try TO think neutrally. &. me
For YOU and all our real irienus ,,,,d.
United States | have nothing ou, ss,yry
and sorrow. ooh, let not the Lord o' I'D.
and will speak yet but this oh''' "A he
venture. ten shall be found there ..lss
said | will not destroy IT, for the 'e"
But-"Curscd be Meroz.' .,,,pns
c.. Al. canada Sept i6 1910