New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04

mainly. mankind, has sought 70 MAINTAIN
neutral rights, or even to defend American
lives. is to say what is utterly false, wholly
untrue. "A plain. undisguised lie. Only so
far as words could do these things have
we ventured 10 do them and our President
and our Secretary of State have told the
Germans and Austrians in advance that
the words were harmless.
Mr.. Wilson's policy has now collapsed.
There is left no one save those whose po-
litical commitments or pacifst sentiments
are controlling who retains the smallest
confidence in the courage, the sincerity or
the force of American foreign policy An
other note would go beyond even The pre-
,osterous and touch the very depths Of
shameful folly.
II is a matter Of very small consequence
row whether Mr.. Wilson decides to make
war. 10 win back los. national sympathy
aad support. or decides to continue the
course of letter-writing which he has so
far pursued. lie can neither rescue his
own political fortunes nor national honor
ty either course. His political fortunes
are bankrupt. National honor can be re
caincd only when the Reputation of his
rolicy by the whole nation demonstrates
tat he misrepresented his country.
On the morning Of the Lustania a great
and noble opportunity came 20 Mr. viii
SON. lie had only to make good his own
words to rank with the few Presidents
who in great crises have risen TO the
heights of real patriotism and true states
manship. But he had not meant his own
words. he knew that they were false alto
cether. and the knowledge left him par
a'yzed
We may have more moral victories,
like those of the Arabic and the Ancona,
but who viii believe them now? Our title
as defender Of humanity may be written
In new Austrian communications pune
tuated by further killings, but who vii
trust them? Who in Europe? Who IN
the United States?
Never in American history has insin-
certify. sham. selhshness been more re-
porselessly. fatally exposed than in Mr..
Wilson's case. Opportunity, not for mere
service to Americans, but for service to all
mankind knocked at his door. He had
the power and he had behind him public
confidence and public support. What
Abraham Lincoln lacked, a united nation,
le possessed. His voice could have COM
mauded the millions. and those who re-
fused to follow would have been over
whelmcd by those who did.
There was asked Of Mr.. Wilson not
greatness. but honesty, simple sincerity.
that he should say what was true and that
ne should stick to the truth that ne said.
There was demanded Of him only that
with simple courage and steady will he
should follow the example and the prcce-
dent Of his great predecessors, who had
made America not first, but right.
Instead Mr.. Wilson listened 10 the poll
icians. who told him that the American
people were selfish. that they desired peace
1T any price. that they would be satisfied
with empty pretcnces and that to keep
Them out of war would he to win an easy
reelection
Because Mr.. Wilson believed this, be-
cause he listened TO these advisers, Mr..
Wilson has brought his country TO ITS pres
ont position. This lie has brought the
fruits the lie always does bring in a world