New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-12

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Your leading editorial % the 9TH
inst. upon the German Chancellor's speech
70 the Rechstag seems hardly 4 fair state
mcnt Of the case The suggestion. enanat-
ing from German sources, that Germany was
willing 70 consider peace terms which did
not include the retention OF Belgium wa.
made months ago. Suggested peace terms
can apply only 20 the conditions at the time
the suggestion is made Turning 70 Poland,
would YOU seriously contend that humanity
or civilization generally would prefer hand
ing Poland back to Russia, rather than have
her either subject to or protected by Ger
many, Ono OF these alternatives will occur.
Bethmann Hollweg said in substance that
the only reply received 10 tentative sugges
tons Of peace terms on the part OF Ger
many was that the German establishment for
military protection of the empire must he
crushed. We all know that this is true.
Great Britain freely declared that peace
terms would not be considered until German
"militarism" is destroyed. Can any ono
wonder that the German people are willing
to fight to the last ditch. and. if necessary,
die in that ditch, rather than submit to
such a condition?
VIII either Europe or civilization be the
gamer If for German mlitarism Russian
militarsm or French militarsm is subst
tuted and England's absolute and arrogant
control Of the high seas continued
The closing paragraphs OF your editorial
refer TO the relations of Germany with this
country at present, and the news columns Of
the papers of even date with your editorial
carried statements TO the effect that pieces
Of metal had been taken from the Sussex
which had been identified as having formed
part Of a German torpedo. and although
the evidence comes from citizens Of foreign
nations. some OF which are now at war with
Germany. your paper and some others con-
tend that this evidence is being seriously
considered by the Administration at Wash
ington sufficient to justify the United
States in breaking diplomatic relations with
Germany
am not attempting 20 make case for
Germany | believe that if Williams abso-
lutism and Englands arrogance could be
eliminated from the situation peace could be
concluded upon terms which would insure
Europe against repetition Of the expert
ence OF the last two years. What DO claim
is that each of the nations az war is entitled
to the same even-handed treatment by the
United States. and they are not getting it.
While both Germany and England have
been offenders against the laws of nations,
70 one country, not even the United States,
powerful as she is potentially. can be the
policeman OF the world. We cannot. in other
words, dictate 10 other nations how they
shall conduct their wars with each other.
but IL is our solemn duty 70 see that no one
OF the nations at war infringes upon the
rights OF neutrals, and in protesting against
such infringement We should use the same
force and the same language against one ma
ton which offends as against another.
But. you will say. the degree Of the offence
should fix the language OF the protest To
some extent this is true. and upon that point
bear in mind that the right Of neutrals TO
travel upon vessels OF bellgerent nation
is settled only theoretically. The rule has
not received that practical sanction which
can be accomplished only by its having been
heretofore generally recognized and used. In
all the controversy upon that subject there
has been not single authoritative citation
of precedent for tho demanding OF repa-
ration as matter OF legal right for the
death OF citizen Of a neutral nation while
on board OF either war or a merchant yes
sci Of nation at war. that vessel having
been sunk or destroyed by an enemy vessel
On the other hand. however. there is ample
authority in precedent and practice for the
claim Of the United States that traffic be
tween neutral nations should not be inter
rupted by nations which happen to be at war
with each other. excepting by visit and
search for eon,rsbnnd OF war, and until the