New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-20
WORDS FOR DEEDS
Self Respect of the Nation Cannot
Long Persist Without Action.

To The Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: t. is evident TO all not partisan TIA.
however excellent his intentions, Presider.
Wilson has faiied 20 maintain the prestige o.;
the United States, but. al thc tine when he
should have increased H. has reduced the re-
spect and affection of Europe for America %
almost the vanishing point.
Out Of Mr. Wilson, constitutional ntapa'.
ity for action, his ignorance of The pract'ca.
affairs OF life and ms devotion 20 the selec'
ton of advisers Of small cal.5rc has arisen
state Ct affairs iutolerablc % =. right think
ing Americans, and il is their patriotic duty
20 seek proper means Of putting all end 20 :
situation n which our national d.shonor is 50
rapidly accumulatns.
Gould an assembiage be had OF the eoI1
'ry's most representative citizens for frau
expression Of American opinion, n might con
strain Mr. Wilson TO abandon oratory for a.
ton. Certainly 10 subjec. IS Of such vita
Importance 20 the United States as the qle''
ton of war upon the Teutoulc Alliance. ny
would n be difficult TO show the proposed a.
somblase that such war u probably a. ne
essary TO our national existence az 70 IS 20 N
existence Of the Entente powers. SuTeN
there can be 10 dispute whatever as 70 th'
advantage TO the United States Of "agIng vs.
at the present moment when me Ieutonc -
lance Is estopred from attac. ne us oy "
navy Of Great Britain.
Any expectation Of adequate preparedness
for tho United states during Tho prcrslel"
II peace under the Wilson administration y
as absurd as an expectation " lcarniaS y
swim without going into The water
without real leader for President Oh.
the patriotism aroused by wal VIII inle.
America 20 make ready, and % De- no." O..
proyidential fortune, u we would grasp ~ "
utilize the present European conditions
which TO prepare, safe from punishment '''
The folly of our uuprcpareire-s.
One other supreme advantage Of GOES .
war when we cannot be attacked Is thA'
WILL enable US at once 20 utterly stamp o.
beth hyphenism and pacitsm equal menace
cf our national life.
For If in the ensuing year sc should "
10 more than make ready 20 light sueees'
fully and at the same time purge Americs
ali citizens who enjoy her privileges sNi-s
their first allegiance 20 foreign lands a.
her, We should accomplish FAR more ~
Americas future than If through ener'au.,
peace sc should gain for her 'enioId ''
present wealth.
Already we have more wealth DO isht go
probably is good for the nation. "hS'
needed TAR more than greater wealth Is -.
4 national spirit as now inspires our So
republic, France Iguoble peace can ~
promote that spirit. but is destructive o. e.
Who will say that war has not emu !,
France? Now Is our golden opportlh'.y
attain some measure Of her splenda sP-.
happily escaping her suffering We c'H-
retain even our self-respect by any con-. COZ. II,
ance Of our present substitution Of "0'''
deeds. ..,.
This is written in tie hope that me g
est citizens of our Republic VIII asse.lo.. ~.
take council together a. 20 what Am.r,
should Immediately do. The whole 60
needs the inspiration Of patriotic ur ,.sr
JOHN u. EL"bLN
New York. Jan. -, 1916.