New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-20

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Have read with much interest the ar
ticlc By Frank II. Simonds r the Sunday
edition. which 20 the writer seems in part
TO be un-Amcrican and decidedly pro-Ally.
For the above two reasons ! have tried TO
answer his article a. an American:
First Regarding BerustorfT: All who arc
real Americans heartily agree with him in
III Mr.. BcrnstorF has done anything contrary
TO the laws Of our country and diplomatic
usage" his recall should he demanded with
out hesitation.
Second Regarding Belgium: All concede
that Germany broke all moral az we'll as in
tcruati oual law when she invaded Belgium.
] he atrocities said to have been committed are
horrible. But is that any reason Why We
should not enjoy our rights on the high seas
and have commerce with neutral countries
according 20 international Law? lie says We
did nothing over the invasion Of Belgium.
Did our treaties or international law lay upon
Us the duty Of interfering? If 50, we did not,
and are then "bachsliders" and objects for
contempt.
We did declare our neutrality, and that
should he "strict neutrality" Unless We pro-
test against the Interference with our neu-
4 tral trade conducted iu conformancc with
international law and carry that protest TO
q finish We are maintaining "beneyolent neu-
trallty." which rs neither morally right nor
the true American spirit.
England stated when she entered the war
tina IL wss virtue on her part TO uphold in
ltcruational Law. Was 10 virtue OIL her part,
with her allies to uphold international law,
| q D., a.. hos eI
know when the Premier of Greece gave them
unofficial pcrmis on 20 land troops that he
did not represent his government. that he
had no power TO give that unofficial consent
and that he was only expressing his views as
a pri.atc citizen. but 20 the same time was
using his political position 10 give his utter
ancc the look Of being official. To land troops
under those circumstances was just as illegal
as the German invasion Of Belgium.
Why should this country sympathiZe with
any Of the countries Of Europe? Or, at lcas 7.
with Germany, Russia, England, Austria,
France, Italy and Turkey? Are they not all of
the sane class? Greedy. ayarlcious; waiting
for AN opportunity 10 grab land and wealth
from their weaker ncighbors? international
law is an agreement Of nations 20 live up TO
certain principles, and after war has started
the law cannot morally be changed to suit the
.
tons lived up TO international law and moral
right there would be no wars.
Il does not concern US when warning ma
tions break international law among them
selyes. but when they break international law,
in agreement with US, we must demand our
rights. regardless Of whom it hits.
+ II this country is not in a physical and pre-
pared condition 90 uphold those demands it
is time We awoke 20 that fact and changed it
quickly.
This country should ask nothing of the
world But we must live up to the fullest
every obligation that We have assumed by
treaties or otherwise. We should never de-
clare war. but always be prepared for war, il
war should come in the fuliilment Of our
duties and obligations.
This country : composed Of people Of many
uationali,ics. The only way in which We can
remain united is TO stand together in the full
ilment Of all our obligations, no matter what
+ the consequences are or with whom il brings
Us 10 war. This country will be found then
+ 20 BE- all American one people. of one heart
and mind and with but one purpose: America
first. last and all the time. We must elect
70 Office men with 10 hyphen, but pro-Amcri-
can. W. l.. ".
Now York Jan Is. 1916.