New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-07
BELGIUM AND SWITZERLAND
Their Fate in This War the Best Answer
to Paci6st Arguments.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your correspondent in this mornings
paper states her case learnedly, but her argu-
ment is a failure, because to bear out ner
contention she offers no examples. Inc
greatest answer to all those advocating
peaceful pursuits and industrial prosperity
without adequate armament for defence is
Belgium Switzerland" answers the argu-
ment Of national prosperity because OF ma
tional preparedness.
Peaceful, industrious little Belgium, not
seeking a quarrel with any neighbor, sure in
a neutrality guaranteed by the great nations
surrounding her, working and striving ever
in the pursuits OF peace, where are you to-
day? Some of your people are in slavery,
others in exile, and all that you can still
call your own is tiny strip Of land de-
Tended through the heroism of that little
band of soldiers that is still left you. Did
unpreparedness save Belgium? Did her
peaceful prosperity keep the invader who
coveted her from desecrating her people :!
Belgium of to day is the answer.
On the other hand, hidden away among the
rugged Alps lies our tiny sister republic
every bit as industrious, ever bit as peace
full, strategically occupying a better position
for the invasion Of France than Belgium did.
but Switzerland was ready, ready at any time
70 repel any invasion, any dissertation, and
Germany knew il; and so Switzerland to-day
is still free Alone of all the countries in
war-scarred Europe she is free from entan-
clement. free TO pursue her varied industrial
occupations, with every man and boy on
guard.
Ii is true that armament never prevented
war, but it was mostly because armament IN
the past was used only as a means to con-
auer the weak. With the lessons taught US
by the present day armament would be an
insurance, and while insurance OF any KIND
does not always prevent that for which 1t is
intended, it protects. History has taught US
that when great nations ceased longer TO
strive for freedom and abandoned them
selves solely to the pursuits Of commerce
without adequate protection, and TO peace
full occupations without thought OF the
duties these occupations entailed, they de-
Perforated and in the end became extinct
Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire
only two instances.
That Americans of to-day can give utter
ance to sentiments such as have been uttered
during the past two years, and no doubt were
in many hearts for more than two, is to
cover with opprobrum the memory of those
who gave their lives, who fought against all
odds, that We might live. These men gave
no thought as to whether they were heroes,
they did not shirk their duty when it came,
but simply and honorably followed the path
that has made possible our nations exist
ence. What if George Washington and the
men of his day had said IL am not my
brothers keeper" and continued in their
farming or other pursuits? Had Lincoln
said he was too proud to fight" would we
be the united nation of to-day? And Lincoln
was ever a man of peace.
But 10 the present generation all things
have come easily that sense has be-
come atrophied, we are drugged with pros
perity, which we are reaping over the closed
graves Of others who gave up their lives for
the ideals which we profess to stand for.
Our prosperity is easy for US, but it is paid
in tears and sorrows elsewhere and many
of these tears, much of this bitterness, VIC
could have prevented had the spirit of old
been alive in our souls.
development of commerce and industry,
breaking down of economic barriers, educa-
ton" perfect ideal which can never be
reached if first of all We are not awake to-
the fact that each of US bears duty. The
parable of the three servants could be well
applied to US, for indeed we are hiding the
talent which has been given US for fear 1t
would be stolen and lost, and in the end
even that talent was taken from the servant.
Human nature is unchanged; it is only the
veneer of civilization that covers us. Scratch
deep enough and the cave man will be found.
So it will be with the one who has. Another
will come who. finding him asleep and secure
in its imagined right-being, will take away
that which he had.
MAY G. SCHAEFER.
New York, Sept 2, 1915.