New-York tribune., 1916-05-24
"THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH
The Statement of Fundamental Principle,
at Issue in the War Is Approved.
o the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your editorial in the May Is issue
entitled "The Presidents Speech" is worthy
of deep thought and wide circulation. con-
eratulate you on stating so clearly and forei-
bly, the fundamental principles at issue IN the
present war. You have also placed m no
enviable prominence those who hold 20 tie
theory that America has nothing 70 do with
the questions for which the nations ar war
are conteRdng. Any casual student OF MS
tory must be compelled to admit that IN
conflict where nearly the whole world is IN
volved there must be something deeper and
something more vital at issue than can De
found in any previous war. None OF me o.
dinarv causes of war will N the case. Bound.
arv disputes between France and Germany
are not Of such vast importance 70 England
Russia. Turkey and Serbia that they would
be willing TO become involved in such a NJ
and death struggle. Again, every one OF 'he
combatant nations absolutely denies tnst
is fighting for larger territory or for me
property Of a neighboring nation. The noml'
nal cause of the war. the ASSASSINATION IN
Bosnia. is altogether too trivial a reason I"
account for such world crisis.
Put when we come 20 consider these unaei'
living nrinciples in the evolution and deFe,'
opment of which are involved the IDEAS "nl'"
mankind holds most dear we have iouha =
c?use deep enough and broad enough 70 W
responsble for the war. ln All the W"e
weary struggle of the races from oarDs', ~.
TO civilization liberty OF conscience anu ~
erty of action for the individual have Iensu.'
one Of the ideals for which men VIII eh,'
fullv paw the ultimate price. ms laesl
the cornerstone of democracy' ana OF ~.
founded the structure Of our nalonai ~
With the failing Of this ideal VIII ia' %,
that is best in our civilization, ana VIZ"
of this ideal our country 'D5
become even more truly than 10 is lne
of the free and the home OF the brave
fore it is reasonable for US or any olnct U' 70.
ton TO fight for such prnciple NO,
willing to tight for it would be equi'A.e".
confessing ourselves unworthy OF "O''''
fit for servitude only. ,-,- :.
This is one Of the principles p-a.n'
issue in the present war Germany Is 0o-
tending for the German theory or sst,i,
meat Her writers, statesmen and oHoe
have not hesitated to make plain their op.iI,
ion that their ideals of governing 49,.
become dominant throughout Europe. oD' ~,
what IS best for Europe viii De pcs. -
America, Should Germany estaolish
ideals there the same conflict would e'e".s
ally be transferred here. for the asEi's
is one of the clearest factors in the 1e'H'''
character p, voa
Does Germany hold such theories
have lived for any length Of time m -.
MANY YOU will need no help ln ans"eIns
question The individual is merely "' 20.
great mechanism. The welfare of ~
is considered of prime importance us -,
vidual is important only as he lul's
obligations to the state. Such iheoi'
government is absolutely antagonis,c 81
subversive OF every principle OF -.
liberty Therefore Germany ana A"l, -.
ocveloping their civilization along Hl',
parallel but at right angles eon'''
tween the two ideas as represented '' Lf.
two theories Of government Dis u""' ....,
eithsr in the near or distant fuiuie'
both nations are strong vigorous ".D
ing. il is needless TO say that the l''- 49,,
ominous. Now. il England. France N1'
and their allies are engaged IN ''''
death struggle with Germany 20 de''I."
whether liberty or oppression shai ''
ia IL 10 the credit Of America TO st"hD 20
and take no active part IN sucn sll
Have we any respect for man VINO W" 3
with indifference at scenes Of brutAi'y IN,
b.oodshed when By his Intervention ana "t
ne might end such crimes Amere" -.
ing on with apparent indifference ~n''
nations of Europe are Woundeu, t.b'
perhaps dying, for those principles OF ..
erty and justice which we so Loudly a.
as our most cherished and valued ideals. Inc
consideration Of these truths should bring
blush Of shame 70 every patriotic American
Your editor deserves the gratitude or !on'
readers for his excellent exposition OF iae'
not pleasant TO read but important 70 ts'
member. }. W. JOhNSV"
New York. May 20. 1915.