New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-30
OUR REPUTATION ABROAD
Unhurt by the Acts Of Feeble
Government.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Through the kindness Of friend
have been able TO read the articles, com
mencing Remember the Lusitana,' which
aupeared in The New York Tribune from
November 13 20 December %, 1915, and |
should like permission 70 say few words
referring thereto, my excuse for intrudinS on
YOUR space being, firstly, that am great
admirer Of the American people and, sec
ondly. that I am a lineal descendant OF the
old Deyonshire family that gave America her
second and sixth Presidents, John Adams ana
John Quincy Adams.
These men. am proud 20 think, were dis
tinruished tor their public spirit and their
independence Of thought and action. Your
articles reflect the same feelings, and do
honor to your great journal and the people
for whom YOU write I should like, however,
10 say that. so far as / am able to Judge
do not think that there is any general feeling
among English people that the American peo-
speaking Of them as individuals nave
fled their duty" or avoided obligations
or "shrunk from honor" as stated in your
article of December %. II IS I think, quite
understood mere lldL the atANiH4N4No o''N -
tions. or. rather, want Of action, Of President
Wilson do not represent the feelings OF the
best Of the American people. They cannot;
the American people, as body, are incapable
of being misled on the great questions al
issue By man so feeble, however we'll mean
ing he may be.
It is, ! think, quite understood here that
= L Eref a
tician afterward Men Of that class arc not
unknown on this side, and history has shown
over and over again that when the day OF
real trial arrives such men arc OF no use
whatever in practical politics, however well
intentioned.
Il is useless arguing and turning out neat
phrases with barbarans that fear neither
God nor devil; they are outside all argu-
ments that may be applied TO good conduct
and good government. There is only one
thing they do understand. and that is force,
hot and strong. Knock the barbarian down
first and argue with him, if you like, after
ward: but if you don't use, or let him see
that YOU don't intend to use, force, the case
is hopeless, and the sooner you smut up shop
and retire into private life the better for all
parties. Then let some one come along who
has a little less mere book learning, but a
great deal more sound, practical common
sense. and knows also how to make the most
effective use OF IT,
Despite whatever demagogues, Interested
and otherwise, may say and howl to the CON
trary. English men and women appreciate to
the full all the excellent qualities OF their
American brothers and sisters. They DO not
naturally see everything in precisely the same
way. any more than they do among them
selves but they admire their excellent quail
ties of head and heart; they know that Amer
lea is the home Of noble men and women
not in any respect behind themselves IN
everything that is of good report.
English men and women are not, therefore
led away from these opinions BY the passing
feoblencss and mistakes, sad and terrible
though we may think they are, of the present
Wilson administration. We on this slde
know full well that the best people IN Amer
lea are no parties to such feeble displays, but
that they are true patriots of their grand
country. and would be willing TO face even
death itself rather than act as towards IN the
49,. of battle A. J. ADAMS.
CROYDON. England, March 2, 1916.