New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-16
AMERICAS DUTY
Is to Lead in Struggle of Freedom
Against Autocracy and SpOliatiOn.

70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: /. IL is now and for over year has
bcen the duty OF tho United States 70 protest
against Germany's violations Of her treaties
with US, and against the acts Of war and
violations OF neutrality OF Germany In this
country and upon our citizens on the high
seas, and against Gcrmany's violations Of
the rules Of warfare Of modern times and Of
rules Of humanity OF all times"
o The world war is clash Of opposing
systems, viz, of legitimacy opposing repub-
cansm, OF autocracy committed to war and
conquest, consigning men TO cannon fodder
and women to futile sorrow and bereave-
ment, opposing democracy and the rights OF
men ard women; OF system of government
Instituted and conducted for the benefit OF
those who irresponsiby govern, making the
state and the autocrat dominant, opposing q
system Of government making the state ser
Went and the people dominant, instituted and
conducted for the benefit OF the governed;
CT regime OF militarism and "Kultur' OF
social efficiency for military prowess (the
necessary concomtants and excrescences OF
autocracy) under which lin the words Of
Herbert Spencer describing neighboring hos
time OF war Is the modified community and
in time Of peace the community "a the army
at rest" combining men and women sub
jects 10 the status and station in which they
sre born, opposing a regime Of contract under
which development Of men and women as
free citizens, choosing their own station in
life, Is dynamic process; or, psraphrasing
Jefferson IN his remarkable letter 70 Presi-
dent Monroe OF October, 1923. inspiring the
announcement Of the Monroe Doctrine, il is
the European system of despotism opposing
the American system Of freedom. It is there
fore the duty Of the United States 70 declare
Itself in favor OF the American system OF
freedom and opposed TO the European system
OF despotism, represented by Germany and
her allies.
g. As there are two systems Of govern
ment, the one autocratic, with militarism as a
support, promoting and unfolding status
among subjects, and the other democratic,
promoting a process Of development among
citizens, so likewise there are two correspond
ing kinds of war-one offensive, aggressive
and condemned; the other defensive, pro-
tectve and commended. II is. therefore, the
duty of the United States TO declare itself in
favor of the war commercially and right
tously defending states with governments re-
sponsible TO their citizens, and to declare
itself opposed to Germany's spread OF legit-
macy, autocracy and sbsoutism BY their
excrescences, mlitsrism and conquest.
L. Il is now and for over a year has been
the duty and interest of the United States,
the greatest nation representing the Ameri-
can system of freedom, TO take the lead,
openly, in the promotion, formation and
establishment among non-cOmbatant states
with governments responsible TO their peo-
pies OF an entente or alliance TO uphold
autonomous and homogeneous nationality,
which Germany has been assaulting for over
fifty years, and to suppress wars Of conquest
against civilised nations.
g. II Is likewise tho duty and interest Of