New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-14
tho Editor of The Tribune:

To the Editor Of The Tribune:
Sir: Has it not become evident that the
present German-American situation contains
The elements of a great opportunity for
America. not only of putting an end to a
situation humiliating for herself but Of ere
ating new state Of world affairs out OF
which might grow-would almost inevitably
crow-the restoration of general peace on
conditions that civilization could accept?
But that result is certainly conditional on
one thing: That American diplomacy IS great
enough TO be completely honest-honest TO
the point of dropping diplomatic make-belleve
and breaking with diplomatic usage.
Germany says in effect that she will make
military sacrifice for the purpose OF respect
ing American neutral right, if America on
her side will reciprocaly fulfil neutral obi
CATION by insisting on the military sacrifice
from both belligerents; so that American
rights are not made means of handicspplng
one party as against the other; are not IN
yoked in such one-sided fashion as to become
m arm for the use of one belligerent as
against the other.
Now. it is quite within precedent, right and
matte punctilo: america cannot discuss
the behavior Of one beligerent with the
other" and so forth and so forth. The Ameri-
can government could make excellent debat-
ing points and be automatically entirely
correct.
But suppose, instead, it were undplomati-
cally honest and unprecedently bold and said
bluntly what every one knows TO be the
truth: That because of the slowly acquired
American conviction Of the badness of the
German cause.-the danger to civilization and
ourselves which this country has come to be-
lieve inherent in that cause-it is impossible
for America TO enforce the law sharply
against England, TO take any action which
would seriously add to the chances of Ger
man victory; to be, in other words, really
neutral Suppose America bold and honest
enough 10 ayow the quite simple, obvious
truth that we are not Indifferent as to the
outcome of the war, and that in the long run
cur conduct won't be guided as though we
were; that so long as We have reason to be-
leve German policy menace it will en-
counter in one form or another mot exclud-
ing necessarily even the military form our
active or latent opposition.
And then, suppose that on top of that i'm
possibly bold and honest stand this country
were further 20 announce that it can only act
effectively for the sea law Germany desires,
and otherwise withdraw its opposition, if
Germany is prepared TO reassure US as to her
cause by stating definitely that the terms
upon which she is prepared to discuss peace
-. Il, l.. . -, ba If Ral
gium and France and naturalization for
damage done; the acceptance of the inter-
national principles involved in the Ameri-
can claims recognition of the absolute right
to existence of all states great and small,
readiness TO enter, at least 10 the extent that
others are ready, into European or world ar
engagements for the guarantee of that right
and the mutual discussion and limitation OF
ornaments; together with such minor details
as agreement 10 the appointment Of an inter-
national commission to inquire into the vio-
lation of the laws of war on land and sea and
the punishment Of the individuals convicted
by that commission.
Once convinced that Germany stands for
policy such as peace on those terms would
imply, America would on her side so this
impossibly honest diplomacy might make
plain stand effectively for the freedom of
the sea as against England, if needs be; could
assure Germany that this country would
never be reckoned among her enemies, but,
on the contrary, would cooperate with her IN
defence Of that equality of commercial OPP
portunity in the world OF which Germany
accuses her enemies Of trying TO deprive her.
Now. whatever followed that announcement,
America and the world would gain. II Ger
many refused the implied offer she would by
that prove that she was still unchastened, not
ready 10 surrender or modify her policy OF
world hegemony. America then knows that
her fears are justified. She is definitely