New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-06
CHARGES WILSON
HAS INVITED WAR
Continued from page |

SlldeI because during our tlNll wal
we could not afford to help the South
by fighting England. and our govern
ment looked on passively while the Re
! public of Mexico was overturned and
| the Empire of Macmillan established
/ in its place, because we could not
afford to help the South by a war with
| France. But when the war was ended
| and the armies Of Grant and Sherman
were free, Sheridan was sent 10 the
border, and before the potentiality OF
that great army Louis Napoleon with
drew from Mexico and began that
/ downward course of diminishing pres
ti.e and respect which ended on the
battlefield of Sedan.
peace is not maintained by the sur
render of just rights, for the presump-
tion OF impunity begotten of weak sub
mission to aggression breeds further
and stnl further aggression until at last
Inundated and outraged people
plunges into war, which ought TO have
been wholly unnecessary. Peace is
maintained by the assertion of just
rights, calmly, spassionately, reason
ably accompanied by a knowledge of
power behind the assertion and con-
viction in the minds of others that
there is behind the power courage and
resolution certain to use the power II
need be in defence of the right. That
conviction and certainty which make
power potent for the peaceful preserva-
tion OF right is matter OF character.
Il depends upon the worlds experience
and judgment of the character OF
people and its government and OF
people as shown through its govern
ment. That judgment upon us and our
y rl IN
will be our sure defence in the years
to come. while if it is unfavorable, we
shall surely suffer.
Wilson Lost Worlds Respect.
what will be the attitude in this re-
sheet Of the nations who covet the
wealth and opportunity OF the new
world when the great war is over II we
return the Wilson Administration to
mower? Will they have a conviction
tina. courage and resolution stand be-
hind the assertion of our rights? VIII
they believe in the sincerity OF our
declarations, in the certainty that the
great powers of this people will be used
TO maintain their rights, and that our
government has the wisdom and skill 10
use those powers effectively! Ihere
can be but one answer to this question.
The Wilson Administration has had the
opportunity TO exhibit its character TO
the world and it has failed to carry
conviction or 10 command respect IN
three fields of major importance afect-
ing international affairs the three
great subjects with which 1t has mad 10
deaI-it has shown itself to be irreso-
Lutte and incompetent, and that Is tne
Judgment of the world. These three are
- II l.
tania. the preparation of military and
naval force for national defence and
the chastity failure in Mexico
Mr. Root then took up the Admins
tration's failure 10 measure up to the
frst duty of n government that Of pro-
tecting the lives of its citizens. After
recounting the successive murders OF
American citizens by German subma-
rines Mr.. Root showed how the German
government had taken stock OF Mr.. Will
son and his "strict accountability
warning.
Judged Government Weak.
Germany ignored the words OF the
government OF the United States he
said, because upon her trained CD
servation and estimate of the character
of the men who controlled the Ameri-
can government she judged that they
had not the nerve. the courage, the
resolution, the sincerity to make their
threat good.
Immediately upon the shock of the
Lusitania horror, while all the worm
waited, expectant, for the government
of this great country 20 make good us
words by action, we we're tod ana tne
world was told that America was TOO
proud to fight, and nothing was done
and nothing has ever been done. No
one has been held TO Accountability. a
wear and more later, after more SINK
ing Of passenger ships and drowning
of American passengers, upon the Pres.
ident's declaration to Congress that II
such things continued to be done he
would be obliged to break off diplo,,
matte relations, Germany suspended
her practice of aggression. She may
resume il tomorrow. Her statesL.en
arc now discussing the resumption OF
IT, She made no amends for the past
and she made no binding promise for
the future.
No War Was Needed.
"No war was needed to protect our
citizens. What we needed was gov
eminent with the strength OF character
70 do one thing or the other. II our
government did not mean to protect IT'S
citizens on the high seas II should have
told them that they would not be pro.
tected and they could have kept out OF
danger. But our government told them
they would be protected. II our gov
eminent meant what it said when 1t de
clared il would protect its citizens ~
should have had the capacity to make
Germany understand shat it meant wnat
it said and the Lusitania would never
have been sunk. But IL had not that
capacity. II had net the character TO
make itself believed. From the univer-
sal judgment of the world upon that
transaction there is no appeal, and II
we return Mr.. Wilson's Administration
TO Office we shall be served in all the
difficulties of the future by agents dis
credited in advance by agents whose
cvery word is received with a suspicion
of insincerity ard weakness
The Administration record on naval
and military preparedness was then
taken up, MIR. Root quoting from varl-
Gus public utteiances OF President Will
son. and showing the Presidents vac
citation. lie cited the resignation of
Secretary of War Garrison because the
President shifted his ground too often
for that official.
Finally he turned 10 the kaleidoscope
policy Of the President IN regard TO
Mexico, outlining how Mr.. Wilson had
first proclaimed hands off in that coun-
try. and declared for watchful waiting,
then seized Vera Cruz and ousted
Huerta; how American citizens and
soldiers were being killed In Mexico,
and the murder Of citizens extended to