New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
Too Proud to Talk.

IRON The Irish IiUc5l
We have before US a leading article from
The New York Tribune Of the 18th of Feb
ruary. It is not fattering to British states
manship, but it is perfectly honest and 1t IS
individually well-intentioned, for The Tribune
is one Of the great American newspapers
which have been consistently friendly TO the
Allied cause. The burden of this article IS
that England has been hopelessly outwitted
by Germany in the competition for American
sympathes. The Germans Numbered when
they entrusted their affairs 10 Herr Dern-
burg, but after that lesson they made no
mistakes. They decided to employ American
machinery. and they made full use Of all the
vast resources Of the American press. They
selected from among the representatives OF
the American newspaper at Berlin such
correspondents as they could trust. They
made their Chancellor, their Crown Prince
and others in high places all contributors TO
the American news columns; no less per
sonage than Bethmann-Ilollweg himself
talked to inumerable millions of American
citizens through the medium OF an inter
view" The British method, on the other
hand. is one Of silent, proud disdain.
The Tribune disarms British criticism by
making no attempt TO justify all the methods
and practices Of the American press. The
British government is perfectly free to con-
tenn some Of these methods and practices -
but "the American newspapers are what they
are. the American public is what it is The
sympathy and understanding Of that public
are of immense Importance to the Allies not
only now, but long after the conclusion Of
peace We do not suggest for a moment that
our government should bring TO bear on
American opinion all the dirty and unscrupu-
lous devices which have marked the German
campaign in the United States. We feel
strongly, however, that there is much in The
New York Trlbunes criticism that our
statesmen ought to take to heart Even now,
in the twentieth month Of war, the American
public knows very little about the sacrifices
of men and money that Britain has con
tributed to the cause of liberty. This gno-
rance is largely responsible for the confu-
sons in Congress and for the dishcartcning
apathy of the Western states. II is quite
clear to Us that, since the American public
is what it is" the only effective remedy will
be found in full, frank and systematic
use of the American newspapers. We want
conservative readers may shudder at tho
term great publicity campaign in tho
United States. We must explain ourselves
and our achievements to the American poo
pie. American journalists in these countries
ought to receive every possible facility for
getting information; our foreign censorship
should relax some Of ITS rather stupid zeal
our Cabinet Ministers ought TO consent to
be Interviewer by American corrcs pom
dents. There is at least ono man in England
who could organize such publicity cam
pagn" with infalliblc success VIC mean that
magnetic lrshman, Lord Northcliffc whose
admirable message from Vcrdun a real pict-
ure of what France is doing for us alive
printed yesterday. Whatever agency the
government may choose TO employ. however,
the thing ought to be done. To the British
taunt that Mr. Wilson is too proud TO fight"
America can now reply that Britain is too
proud to talk. The attitude is characteristic.
but it is also foolish at a time when Ger
many is making eager use of silence By
which we are unjust TO ourselves.