New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-07
Americanism First.

Democratic partys greatest weakness Is
;tc 1acL If a sense of nationality. Presi-
dent Wilson's leadership has glarlngly
illustrated that defect. His whole foreign
uclicy shows that in his mind the United
States is not really nation, but only an
aggregation of individuals. with IAN
tastic mission to "serve humanity"-toI
inspire and instruct other less advanced
nations. not by the example OF deeds, put
by futile posturing, defamation and sell
praise.
Lacking any real appreciation of the
meaning and duties of nationality, Presl-
dent Wilson has necessarily failed to react
naturally to disturbances in the world out
side. He has been confused and paralyzed
bv those disturbances. They have threat
ened our own peace and safety and gravely
affected our national interests. More than
ever before in our history the necessity
has been brought home to our people OF
defending themselves, of protecting their
own future in world of intensified inter-
national rivalries and ambitions. But Mr..
Wilson. oblivious of all this, has gone on
proclaiming the necessity of subordinat-
ing all national interests and duties to a
mysterious and elusive service of man.
kind.
The President has failed in his handling
of the problems arising out of the Eu-
ropean war because he has never been able
20 clarify-even in his own mind-hls att
tude toward those problems. He said in his
message to Congress of December 8, 1914,
that this was "a war with which we have
nothing TO do, whose causes cannot touch
us. whose very existence affords US oppor-
tunities for disinterested service which
should make US ashamed of any thought OF
hostility or fearful preparation for trou-
bic" Only five months later the Lusitania
was sunk.
Last winter he said that the European
nations were mad and that the United
States could have no interest in the causes
or the outcome Of their quarrel He could
not see vet that our future as well as the
future of Europe was involved in the vast
disturbances caused by the war. But at
Omaha on Thursday he veered completely
around. saying: Europe ought not to
misunderstood us. We are holding off, not
because we do not feel concerned, but be-
cause when we exert the force of this ma
ton we want to know what we are exerting
it for
It is the same thing with Mexico. The
President has interviewed in Mexican af.
1airs continually, yet without any clear
knowledge why he was intervening. He
and his apologists even try now TO deny
that he ever interviewed. Yet it is clear that
such Intervention as the Administration
has INDUCED in in Mexico has never had for
its purpose the maintenance of American
rights, the projection Of American citizens,
or the discharge of any other normal and
proper national duty.
President Wilson has never been willing
to use force in Mexico for the assertion of
the natural aims of an American policy.
This he confessed once more at Omaha
when he said eve want to hold the force
of America to fght--for what? Not mere
ly for the rights of property or Of ma
tional ambition, but for the rights of man.
kind"
Force is not TO be used TO maintain rights
of property or to subserve national ambi-
ton. But how about using it to discharge
plain national duties? We have assumed
tempts for the last ninety years to obtain
European sanction for the Monroe Doc
trine. We forbid European Intervention in
Latin America. But by 80 doing we make
ourselves responsible for the good conduct
Of Latin-American powers, so far as the
nations Of Europe are concerned. If we
do not wish them TO use force to an un-
limited extent in order TO protect the in
tercsts OF their nationals, we must our
selves look after the interests Of those ma
tionals.
We may happen TO have, as now, a gov
ernment quixotic enough or pusillanimous
enough 10 refuse 10 protect its own citizens
Americans alone suffer from the wrong and
shame of that policy. But if our govern
ment fails 10 use force, when necessary, TO
maintain our obligations in LatinAmeri-
can countries 20 European nations, it adds
a breach Of international good faith TO its
uisdeeds. IL repudiates clear corollary
Of the Monroe Doctrine.
The Paris temps" spoke plainly the
other day about the failure Of the United
States ~ do its duty in the present crisis
in Mexico. France renounced her own
policy In Mexico % accept President Will
sons policy Of recognizing Carranza. Car
rama is now confscating the property Of
French citizens, and French investments
of $500, 600 900 are impcrilled.
Unlike our own Administration, the
French government Is unwilling 70 sacri-
fee French interests merely In order 10
Ill. A.. ua.e,.S yxoxesse. ~ rcvolutiono