New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-08
"BRITISH FAILURE"
The Tbns Editorial Article Dssected and mpar Weighed by
British Journa-E4ow a Canadian Regards the Results OF
Leadership by Englands Public Men.
From "The Outlook" o. London

the Continent, and you will get a real and
saddening view of British conditions.
These men see, they have suffered, they
are ready to suffer more; but there IS a
despair in their hearts because they feel
that the British will not see, will not un-
derstand"
As Canadian. am well aware that The
New York Tribune has correctly stated feel
ing which is widely prevalent among Cana
dams.
CO. Talk with the Frenchman, and
there is no difference. His effort to praise
the British is almost painstaking. He will
tell you that England has done more than
she promised, much more; that she fights
with cleaner hands than any nation. But
he will say also: They always come too
late; they do not understand this war that
we are fighting Their generals are brave,
their soldiers are splendid, but they never
arrive. and they never learn"
The New York Tribune states openly what
almost every Frenchmsn in public life will
say in private conversation.
(3) "But always in England you have
the sense of these little men, these empty
politicians, this eternal talk, the words
that disguise the truth, these words of the
men who told England that no enemy was
in sight when the German army was al
ready on the road and could be seen not
alone from the watch tower but from the
streets. These little men who fight among
themselves for office and for influence, who
cling TO salaries and to prominence, and
answer each other with words that are as
empty as the very ashes Of Belgium's
ruined cities. They cannot understand.
Nothing of all that has happened since this
terrible world tragedy began has affected
them. They denied that it could come,
they deny that it has come"
This statement makes one realize the wis
dom of Mr.. Asquith in publicly praising him
self and his colleagues whenever possible
in saying one day that they are "indispensa-
ble," and on another that no more jealous
patriots could be found anywhere. For,
though it is true that prophet has honor
in his own country, Mr.. Asquith apparently
finds few 70 laud him. either At home or
abroad At home eliminating both the ser
vile Radical press and such party opposition
az has not been crushed by more or less ar
bitrary methods We may fairly take the
view Of Radical ex-Lord Chancellor, who
lays directly 10 the account Of the govern
ment five capital disasters Antwerp. the
she'll shortage, the Dardanelles expedition.
Kut. the Irish rebellion. What our enemies
think OF our government We know; but that
is OF little account. What is the opinion Of
the most friendly newspaper in the greatest
neutral country may be read above.
When in this time Of stress the impress
sion our politicians make on friendly critics
abroad is that they are little men, who fight
among themselves for Office and cling 20 sal
aries. We may we'll repeat to-day the words
written by a poet of another generation:
God give US men. The time demands
Strong minds. great hearts, true faith and
willing hands;
Men whom the lust Of Office docs not kill;
Men whom the spoils of Office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before demagogue
And damn his trescherous batteries without
winking;
Tall men, sun-crowned. who live above the
fog
In public duty and in private thinking"