New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-05
AN AGE OF NATIONALISM
Wilson's Doctrines Good for Millennium
but Not for This Time.
the Editor of The Tribune.

10 the EullOE OF Inc flDANt
Sir: It is TO be hoped that in the approach.
ing nomination contest OF the Republican
rarty the larger interests Of the nation may
dominate petty local prejudices, and tina,
the candidate will be chosen who can lead
the party to victory.
Momentous issues are before the American
electorate to-day. The vacillating policy, or
rather the lack of policy, Of the present Ac-
ministration has brought down upon US II.
scorn and contempt OF the nations OF the
Old World and the New.
1t is without parallel in the history o.
first class powers that great nation sueh
as ours should submit 20 having piece Of
fundamental legislation dictated BY the an
bassador of foreign power. as was recently
done in the case of our pending immigrs
tion bill
AS one OF the leading signatory parties
to the Hague conventions Of 1907 we guar
anteed the inviolability Of neutral states, bu'
not word Of protest was raised by our
Administration over the wsnton spoliation o,
Belgium.
Our citizens have been murstred in cold
blood by the hundreds, and neither apology
nor reparation has been received from those
who deliberately invaded our rights.
In Mexico even 70 admit American citizen
ship is to invite pillage of property, rspins
and murder.
Lately our Chief Executive made the start
ling announcement that I'VE should do No
more for ourselves than we are ready to dc
for humanity"
This may be a sublime gospel 20 proclaim
after the Inauguration Of the millennium, bur
in the meantime we must not forget tina, q,
live in an age Of nationalism, are in III,
midst Of national rivalries and aggression,
and the part OF wisdom is 70 see that our
legitimate rights suffer from no quarter.
When we elect President and clothe him
with great authority we are not unreasonsbl,
in expecting that he will first serve our ma.
tonal interests. If he have any surplus en-
ergy after fulfilling to the letter his duties
and obligations to our citizens il will then
De time enough for him to use the gran.
eloquent talk about championing the cause
Of humanity"
After permitting our navy 20 decline -
third or fourth place among the navie, o.
the world, our President makes the Varliss
statement that I'VE must have a navy neon.
paraoly superior 10 that Of any power IN
the world" Il will be interesting for US 70
hgure out how long it will take US 70 accom-
pish this ambition by continuing the PORK
Darrel tactics of the present Democrats
Congress
Another vital matter must not escape our
notice at this time. Our present favorsbls
balance OF trade is grossly abnormal, is not
indicative OF sound business and must IN
evitably disappear with the cessation OF hos.
tlities abroad.
Despite our apparent prosperity the hus'
ness interests OF our country have been ham
pered by the present Administration. and this
VIII DC most painfully evident when our var
exports cease
We require such an adjustment Of our tar
m As VIII give capital an incentive 10 expand
our industries, and this can best be accom-
pushed by equalizing the costs OF prodUe'
ton as between this country and its great
rivals IN industry.
We need at this crisis IN our history s.
our Presidential candidate q man Of broad
craftsmanship who, while protecting the ~
terests OF the laborer and the consumer, -
not needless of the interests Of the producer,
man who is not erratic in his uttersnes'
about preparedness nor boastfuly sggressiv.
against any power on earth. but is sdamsn'
when the vital interests OF American citizens
are at stake; man who car truly serve var.
burdened nations in the interests OF brosd
humanity" when the occasion offers. but -
not too proud 70 fight" when his fellow
citizens are murdered in cold blood.
All these qualifications. believe. eons
more nearly being embodied in Theodors
Roosevelt than in any prospective csndidsts
before the American electorate to-day.
THOMAS W. B. CRAFER. Ii. B., Phi D.
Appleton, Wis, May so. 1915.