New-York tribune., 1916-06-18

Projects of expostulation and inter-
vention in the name of humanity were /
continually mooted, not only by Eu- ,
ropean courts and cabinets but by /
many good men exempt from any sus-
picion of statecraft or political calcu- ]
lation.
The South was fighting with mag |
nifcent energy greatly led. The North .
seemed slow. II could only win by
sheer remorseless accumulation OF
weight, added to moral staying power.
Relation to Civil War.
II was a horrible war. Some philoso-
piers still argue that il was cause
Of this war, since the result of the
American civil conflict established once
for all the view that the future would
be characterized by larger and larger
aggregates of men, not by smaller and
more numerous kingdoms and republics,
as many thinkers in all countries mad
previously dreamed. In any case, your
war had to go on, contrary to al initial
expectation on both sides, for two
years, three years, four years, until
slavery was abolished and the Union
was secure. 1t was a terrible price to
pay for these things, but you had TO
win them, whatever the price.
You would not yield under difficulty;
why should we? II the Allies, as we
hear, are as mad" as others, then Lin
coin and the North were indubtably az
mad as we, and Washington was as
mad before Looking back over the
long wars of history, 1t is not very
easy 20 see how they could have been
shorter without a worse result II re-
quired the Thirty Years War TO lay
firmly the foundations Of religious
federation in Europe, though genera
tions were required TO complete the
fabric. 1t took forty years TO break
down the Grand Monarch's dream OF
supremacy by land and sea; twenty
years to break down Napoleon's.
British Are Not "Mad."
A great historian remarks somewhere
that in these struggles just recalled
victory has always belonged-through
the perseverance, Of those who stood
erimIy for the right things through
such times as these-to the rising
causes" Of humanity, civilization and
law. Leave us then TO continue. 1t is
we who are paying the price. We are
not mad"
Let me confess that this word, at
tributed TO President Wilson-applied
indiferently. let me hasten 20 sc-
knowledge, to the Allies and the Cen
tral Empires-has touched us nearly.
VIC have our sons in the war. we
have more cause for steadfastness IN
the sterner sanity than can be fully
conceived even vet by the United
States, with its young generations shell
tered from this storm of fire and lava
which day after day Is blasting the
life out Of our best.
Think of France at Verdun, remem-
hering incidentally that the British
forces stand entirely at the disposal
OF General Joffre, TO be used as and
when he pleases What is at stake IS
TO passing thing, human or material,
but the soul Of immortal. indomitable
France" If sacrifices such as she has
row made went without full reward,
that would be Of all historic tragedies
perhaps the most grievous. To win the
full reward there is required perse-
verance TO the last.
Four Years Likely.
! cannot explain now quite plainly
why the war, barring miracles, must go
on this year. and may have to be car
RED even into a fourth year, like the
American Civil War. ! car only ask
The Tribune and its readers TO believe
that what I have said about the situa-
ton and the prospect contains no ele-
ment of guesswork or impressionism'
but is based upon information which /
is sufficient and upon judgment which y
nav be taken as authoritative.
In these matters we have 70 beware,
above all, of the ghastly paradox OF
pacihsm. which puts sentiment IN the
place of reality and tends directly 70
precipitate and aggravate 70 the utmost
every evil which il deplores. Germany
alone was fully prepared for war, and b
even vet her equipment is not fully .
overhauled by the Allies-ror could be,
in view of the gigantic scale OF Ger /
manv's war industries. With more pre-
paredness on Britain's paEt the war
would never have happened or should .
have been over by now.
Seek End of NIiltarism.
What the Allies want is final and alb I
solute freedom from the German mem
ace. There can be no security unul .
German equipment il completely over .
bauled and the military defeat of that .
war machine can begin. II Will take .
time INIT we know now with certainty .
now II may be done The Allies were .
never more level and sober in their 4
frame of mind than to-day, but never .
more confident and determined. They
follow the precedents of all the long .
stubborn struggles in which the rising /
causes" have prevailed at last.
The United States are standing out
for reasons which we understand. The .
strangest is that from this war you can
stand out. In another world war, II
there were to be one, standing out
might not be possible. But none OF u;
doubts one thing. Were the United
states once committed 10 struggle or
this magnitude and import you would
not be unworthy of the precedent SET
by the North in the Civil war Agalh'
whether for three years or four years
Won would fight on until you had won.
We. TOO. are like that.