New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-22
AMERICAS ATTITUDE
A Reader Interprets the National Hope
That Germany Will Be Beaten.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: America is no longer neutral We
may call ourselves neutral; We are not
Ninety-nine men out Of a hundred probably.
will tell you they hope Germany will be
beaten. They will also tell you that they
are heartily ard sincerely sorry for the
German people, because they believe that
Germanys rulers have not been honest With
their subjects, but have led them into war
but little understood and for which no civil.
lied nation to-day would take up arms In
short, our indignation against the war party
IN Germany is deep and irrecoyabe. Asa
people We are fully and absolutely in sym
pathy with England, France and Russia
Whenever the armies of Germany have tri-
umphed, as they so often have, a way. OF
depression has gone over US, plainly re-
Hected in our press. Whenever the wonder
ful courage and staying qualities Of the Al.
lies have been demonstrated, as AZ Verdun.
our hearts have glowed with hope renewed
whenever We read OF the deadly work OF
the submarine or Zeppelin, involving the de-
structlon of innocent non-combatants or
women and children, all that is manly within
US cries aloud at the outrage. Whenever We
think OF the heroic sacrifices Of England
France and Russia in their struggle agains,
war-mad nation, every generous impulse
within US throbs in sympathy Does any one
doubt that this is true!
Now, why are We so clearly and heartily
on the side of the Allies? ID is not because
of any enmity or aversion we entertain
against the Germans. On the contrary, We
esteem them most highly and rightly place
them in the front rank of those who have
found home with US from across the sea
This place Is theirs by right, not by favor
BY their energy, ability and thrift they have
won our admiration and have proved them
selves a tremendous and valuable force in
the building Of our nation. Why. then, are
we so strongly on the side Of the enemy Of
our German friends?
A simple illustration might be used. Two
boys are playing marbles. We watch the
game and admire the skill of both. One Of
the boys seems 10 be more skiful than the
other and begins to win. The loser y los
ing with bad grace; he is evidently losing
his temper as well as his marbles. The
winner is much elated at his growing pile OF
marbles He begins TO crow over his oppo'
nent row soon takes the place Of me
friendly game. The boy who was winning IL
to-fnish contest he knows that he Hill be
beaten; so he resorts TO unfair methods ne
uses trick that the rules Of the ring will
not stand for. With him it is anything 70
win; the method is Of no importance; 50 ne
strikes below the belt. The other boy Is
taken completely by surprise. the wind is
partly knocked out Of him, while his quicker
and more agile foe continues 20 rain oloN
after blow upon him. Moreover, the attseh'
ing boy plainly says that if he can ne VII
not only do up the other chap once and iot
all but he will teach all the other boys inc
danger Of any future contests with HIM !"
the meantime the boy attaA<ed has party
recovered his balance; he begins TO call on
his reserve energies, and long-dra"n-ou.
contest is soon under full headway. NO"
is only a question Of which one can endure
the longest.
What, now. is the duty OF the boys ooAihs
on? They know that the smaller boy
wrong and that he deserves 20 be oes'e"
Moreover, If he wins. they are IN dshse''
too, for. sooner or later. he VIII praerss
some equally knsvish trick upon them
best thing they can DO is 70 jump upon vac
little rascal and give him a sound thrssh'ns,
The sooner they do this the sooner can 81
the boys enjoy their games IN peace pu|
most important of all will be the TACT 'h'
the boys of that neighborhood will not s'Snu
for unfair methods o. play or co~ardH
tricks of fighting.
The little illustration is only approximate
ly correct. but perhaps ii will serve 70 $40
more plain the issues involved 10 the gfeA.
war And perhaps. too. IL may help u' "
see more clearly where We stand IN re'
tonshp to the warning nations and "nsI
our duty is in view Of our often declare
principles of righteousness and justice
J. W. JOHNSON.
New York. May IS. 1915. -I