New-York tribune., 1916-02-21

makes flying trip to the Middle West, and
there exploits as his own views those he has
borrowed from his political opponents.
After eighteen months of absolutely neg
'ectng all means of national defence, we
find him now loudly proclaiming the imme-
date and pressing necessity or supplying
them. We see him employing his per-
suasive powers OF speech, which are beyond
question great. in giving voice TO principles
that he has utterly dsregarded until now,
and which he should have voiced at the very
outset of the war, and assuring the people
that he has the honor of the country-to
which his every act has proved his indif-
ference hitherto-at heart before all else.
In the course of his speeches he does not,
however, hesitate to contradict his past ac-
tions and even his Immediately preceding
words with a fine disregard Of their signti-
cance He says on one occasion, "The coun-
try may be involved in war at any time bu.
in the next breath he tells US that nothing
new has arisen which gives him cause for
this especial anxiety to-day. Yet again, n
close juxtapositon, we are informed that the
situation is not what it was year ago. Just
which one of these contradictory statements
he would have us believe it is impossible to
say, but we all know, and he knows as well,
that the situation is to-day what it has been
from the first day of the war. There has
been no change. International law has no.
been repaired at the hands OF those who
smashed it to pieces. The murder OF our
people has not teen disavowed. Outrages
continue to be perpetrated upon. US in Mex
;co. Underground warfare continues here on
American soil.
But there is one thing that has changed.
It is change that has taken place here al
home, and it is the only one in the situation
1t is that the Presidents failures to act and
his acts have, little by little, come home TO
The understanding of the people. They have
ceased to "think neutrally," to be dummies
in his hands. And it has become evident
that he is to go down along with his asso-
cates in disgrace if he maintains the course
he has thus far followed. Hence this sud
den change of front concerning national de-
fence and other factors of the situation.
But even in this, his latest change of front
the utter lack of sincerity or reliability has
been clearly shown when put to the very first
test; for when the plan which emanated from
his Secretary of War. and which he has been
loudly supporting in his tour in the West, is
attacked by a committee of Congress he i'm
mediately abandons his stand taken within
few days preceding, and allows the strong
est man in his Cabinet TO resign, the latter
not being able to countenance further vacil-
latng lack of policy.
Will those who are always clamoring that
ignoble phrase, safety frst," point ou'
wherein safety has been secured by the
course taken by our government? Kept u
out of war? Why, it has done its very best
10 involve US In war. For it has made the
country appear like a schoolboy who is for
ever trying to escape an attack by one or
more Of his fellows by slipping through
every and any avenue of escape that he can
find. That Is what the President has made
the world believe that this country has been
busily occupied In doing during this war
Who has ever known OF schoolboy who
followed this line of conduct who was NOT
picked on" by all his schoolmates! SO, too
will it be with this country which the Presi-
ient has placed in precisely the same posi-
ton.
Perhaps il may be pertinent to ask, in con
cluding this letter: Just how do those who
have lent their enthusiastic support to the
policy OF the President formerly, when II
was absolutely opposed to what he says his
present attitude is, reconcile their support OF
him now with that which they formerly gave
to him? FRANCIS 5. WATSON.
| Boston, Mass, Feb. l3, 1916.