New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-04
british FAIL URE'-TTS MORAL FOR AMERICA
England Stands Proud Defeat with mistaken Confidence What We Must Do Avoid Her DISREGARD
sane Eternal a
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ditor or The Tribune.

To The Editor or The Tribune.
Sir: ! have Intended Tor several nonths
from time to time 20 write you about one
or another Of the cvccllcr. editorials which
have been aprea-i-g n yo-r 0a-cr during the
last months. and finally. OF reading THE
British Failure" contained in to-day's
Tribune. ! an moved 20 tell you hog
much / appreciate the splendid outline you
have therein given Of the merits and de-
merits OF The British government ard rco
nc IN this crucial crisis; and the splendid
lesson you draw Of what our own condition
viii be at some future date unless VIZ crr
willing 10 learn rom the lessons o. history
and proceed forthwith 20 act with the d-1-
ness, the CELEBRITY and the self-sacrifce :ha.
tho occasion requires.
Your editorial is masterpiece WORTHY O!
The finest traditions OF the press Yours sp-
pears 10 be he only paper in New York al
present in which such work can be found
The Trojans smiled at the crazy predic-
tons Of Cassaadra. The Trojan city fcn
through the lack OF attention paid 20 those
predictions. The Athenans turned deaf cars
TO :bc patriotic appeals OF Domosthe7cs n
"a few short years the Macedonian phaanI
meath the yoke Of the concucror
Now come the British, attempting to wage
war 1yolying their national existence under
the military and political leadership OF ,he
III assorted twenty-five Of takers skilled
in parliamentary speeches and debates
when what they need IS the one-ran direc-
ton Of the man OF action; as democracy
overlooking the fact that all serious bust
ness. war included, must be conducted By
one mind; aided, II you please, By as May
able advisers as you may choose, but still
under the guidance or one viii and one de-
cision.
Heaven forefend that VIC, cnerveted By
long experience Of the peaceful conditions
Of modern commerce, shall not take to hear;
the lessons Of history.
We must have preparedness not sham pre-
paredness; this merely leads 20 abjcct slavery;
not haii-hearted preparedness this merely
leads 10 The same result after useless sac
riice Of our best and bravest; but complete
preparedness IN our navy as the first line
OF defence and in our army as the second
line preparedness so full and complete as
to guarantee us against the possibility Of
successful invasion by the mightiest foe that
could IN two or four or six weeks land upon
""' 'i"''' 80 wei equipped armies.
In deciding this question We must follow
the advice Of the experts in the science
not that Of the man in the street nor the
glib talker, whose millions Of men spring
ing TO arms overnight would now necessarily
be armed with pitchforks, or later II not
trained by some modern system, be. under
modern conditions Of warfare, a mob pre-
pared only 70 be slaughtered By the trained
troops and military efficiency Of the enemy.
II we do not follow the advice OF the OK
perts in this as in every other scientific
case We may expect the fate Of purb.ind
fools and may expect 10 see this civilization
$50 proved unfit 20 survive in its environ.
mcnt) die as others like Il have always here
tofore died. because Slapped of al martial
virtue by ITS character as an unsuccessful.
melting pot Of heterogeneous nstionalities
and its own prosperity and unwillingness 70
sacrifice ease FOR principle.
The nation stands at the parting Of The
ways in the face OF the greatest crisis In
It's history Shall we be slaves and make
no preparation? Shall we be free and pre-
pared 20 maintain our freedom' what shsll
the answer be r. FLOYD CLARKE
New York MAY l. 1915