New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-02

been made 20 him. and ne sen' ile'
sage 20 his government 20 that enec''
"Mr. Root. moreover, IS dong an ur-
precedented thing for an ex-Secretary
o. State. an ex-senator OF the Cnited
States. when he endeavors 20 MAKE po-
Ntical capital in a speech before po-
n:ical convention out OF not only loi-
cicn relations OF the United S'ates'
which he we'll understands are IN cris-
zeal stage. but out Of pending dipIo-
matte negotiations in what u prooaO'y
the mos, important case that mas pee"
before the State Department SINCE LII
coins dav. He states that u snou O
have been foreseen that cases o. thin
nature were likely 20 arse ana lh"'
American lives will be WORTHLESS unless
mover was maintained He points 70
Switzerland and Holland as countries
which are properly defended IN thelt
rights bv organizations and other meas
ures. and states that nobody has run
over them. because they have MADE y
apparent that the cost would De loo
great =
Gle does not mention. although ne
must have read IL in the press 'na'
Dutch ships have been sunk by suoms
rines. that Dutch passengers and sal. o.
ors have lost their lives from such oei-
lgereut action and that Dutch SHIPS
are constantly being violated IN Britisn.
eaters. and Dutch mail 70 the Inite'
States. including diplomatic poucnes'
are being removed from them.
"He arrears 10 forget IN his sugses
ton Of an aggressive policy that the
countries now AZ war are the great ma,
tions of the earth. fully equipped ana
armed. conscious Of their strength ana
their position in the family Of nations
which will not brook the domineerlhg
tactics Of another nation.
Moreover, in this great war the pa9
Elephants are wrought up 70 a state OF
excitement which must not he los,
sight of in dealing with lnternatlonal
situations which arise. While breach
of diplomatic relations might De re-
gsrded in ordinary times as not leading
20 war. such action az the present time
with any Of the belligerents would IN
evitably lead 10 an armed conflict.
True Pride.
an this phase Of the question Mr
Root undertakes, but the world holds
in proper place true pride IN all the
relations of life.
There is a pride OF national duty
which is incapable of sacrificing peace
and happiness; there is a pride OF nlgh
responsibility which forblds an appeal
10 the sword until all other means
have failed; there is a pride IN the
possession Of calm understanding and
pstient foresight which stands firm
against the protest of the partisan and
the blood lust Of the brute; but the
man who disdains 20 plunge millions
OF his fellow beings into the dismal
abyss Of war. until he AS exhausted
every honorable means for peace. VIII
never be too weak to guard the honor
or the Liberties Of his country when
assailed.
"The man who bravely avoids an un-
necessary war will never be too cow
ardly TO wage ii just one.
"Nir. Root would maze OF the Presi-
dent OF the United States an incend'-
airy in a world Of fire. He would make
the Chief Executive swashbuckler IN
stead of n statesman. He would have
the President insist upon the propriety
of the duello while the complaints reel
upon the cliffs OF national existence.
lie would have the President forget
that while we debate men are dying by
thousands across the ocean, that while
We are inconvenienced the rest Of the
world is enduring the agonies OF the
damned; that while we are sitting
quietly By our freside the rest Of the
human race is writing IN the torments
Of the firing line.
lis il Mr.. Roots conception OF Amer
lean honor that we should assert that
honor by adding TO universal misery
Is il his idea that our national duty is
10 make no allowance for the naked
passions and desperate needs OF the
whitehead conflict that now inhames
and dstorts the reason and humanity
Of Europe. Surely, it is not the part or
American honor 20 shut our eyes 10 the
situation Of those with whom re are
dealing. Surely. President Wilson has
been true 10 the highest ideals o.
America in prolonging negotiations un-
Ill a people impsssioned by war should
have time and opportunity 20 pass
calmly upon the justice OF America =
claims.
Great Britain. Germany and France
may interpret international law each
day 20 suit their whims and needs, but
America persists on Interpreting IT with
Justice. vita reason and with national
dignity. II we were to fight foreign
nations iol Nlolalioll " lHIti ""''O''.'
law. as Mr. Root insinuates. we would
fight not ol.y Germany. az Mr. Root
seems TO imagine, but also every other
nation participating in Europe's carni-
val of woe. Mr.. Roots policy would
make the United States whrling
deryish Of war and send US into per
petual dance OF death.
"'To maintain our national honor by
peace if We can, but by war II we
must. IS the motto of Woodrow Will
son. But before submitting to the
chance and misery Of war, true states
man that he is. he proposes to put the
reason and justice of negotiation to the
test.
From this laudable course no ora
torical thunder can drive Woodrow
Wilson.
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