New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
WHY PUSSY-FOOT LONGER?
A Reader Who Thinks the American People
Have Not Had Chance to Speak

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: How do you anaiyze the American
situation so as to reacn the conclusion that
Mr.. wilson's reelection necessarily means
that the American people are willing to sub
serb. TO Mr.. Wilson's peurility in the face OF
German blsckmaiI and submarine frghtful-
ness,
Did the American people have fair chance
TO vote on this question as clean cut issue
Remember that of the FIVE hundred and odd
thousand majority votes cast for Mr.. Wilson
large percentage may be accounted for by
those who voted against Mr.. Hughes because
they thought that he might be as much of
pussy-footer az Mr.. Wilson. Likewise Mr..
Hughess attack upon all of Mr. Wilson's do
mestic policies, interpreted by the voters as
meaning possibility for repeal OF the Fed
eral reserve law, the rural credi. law, the
eight hour law, the trade commission law.
Think of the numbers Of voters who voted
for Mr.. Wilson on these issues rather than
the issue Of our international relations. Keep
in mind the brass collar Democrats, the low
tariff Democrats and the numberless other
side issue votes, all of which were secured BY
Mr. Wilson, the master politician.
Mr.. Harvey in prediction days said, NO
body wants Mr.. Hughes but the people. Inc
truth is that nobody wanted him but the poll
ticians. who were unwilling controlling the
Republican Convention nominate Theo-
dore Roosevelt, the master American.
II the American people had had an oppor-
tunity TO vote for Mr.. Roosevelt upon the
one issue Of making the American flag re-
spected, he would have carried almost every
state, saving always the solid South.
The present propaganda in this country for
peace is the subtle and snuous touch Of the
Prussian come TO the realization that he can
not destroy England and France in this war,
but If given breathing time to build 900 or
1000 submarines. he can again tackle the job
and perhaps grab the sea where now he can
not grab Paris.
Furthermore the American people do not
realize and cannot be made to realize the
menace that confronts democracy in respect
to the possible alliance that may be made out
of desperation that will seriously affect the
perpetuity Of our institutions
For example, if peace were made that did
not give kushld tVucNdhNihNiANf WV
but what in FIVE or ten years Germany would
accomplish an alliance with Russia and Japan,
dividing Asia and Africa; China to Japan,
Asia and Africa to Germany and Russia.
Where would the United States land in that
deal. being too proud 10 fight?
Suppose in desperation England and France
made peace with Germany, based on the
theory OF European lines acceptable to the
Entente, giving Germany free hand in South
America, perhaps backed up by the English
and French navy. This might be kiss for
Cinderella" Uncle Sam holding the slipper.
The real fact is that the anti-Ameriean side
is constantly being organized in the service
Of Germany and the American side is disor-
eanized and without efficient cohssiveness.
A. is always the case, democracy is diver
gent. Imperialism concentrated.
With due respect may IL not be said that
The Tribune and our other leading dailes
are Just as much 20 blame. for every time it
has become necessary 10 act the new papers
have soft pedalcd the proposition. Mr. viii
son is not altogether 10 blame. Why does
not The Tribune and every other American
paper carry a loaded column each and every
day demanding the severance OF diplomatic
rea.ions7
Why pussyfoot longer?
n. L. MALEVINSKY.
New York, Dee. ~, 1915.