New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-17
WAR FOR THE FEW
Only Complete Naturalization ia Tn. :,
Peace Can Prevent n
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: ! have read II. G. Cutting, i.,
January very carefully. Mr. Cu.,,,
IDENTIFY feels as one who has seen N. ~
IL has dawned upon Mr. Cutting thu,
are prompted by individuals, ar. ,,..,r
the interests Of these individual, a, -. =
pense Of the masses, and hence h. evil.
scheme Of naturalization in III.
war.
But how would this prevent "a r,.,.
men" from bringing about the nstio,,.
trance upon an aggressive war wbs, ~,
individuals see prospect Of gainl Va.
the thought Of temporary conscriuto, !.
their resources by the government b.
torrent to their designs? Would tk,v -.
on the contrary, submit their resource, =
promote the success Of their designs, A.,
would not the government and the ,,..
be serving their purposes? Undoubtedlv
conscription of the resources Of the,. "a
viduals with all others) would ADD 4. a
defensive power Of the nation, and also a.,
10 place a proportion Of ths burden ~.
these individuals; but would It aasc, :.
cause or incentive Of aggressive war;.
great danger from within?
Your plan would leave the force, ~ =.
gressive war to operate through sgi..s..
by privately owned press, secret diploma,
etc, all of which arc irresponsibly condue,,,
so far as the masses are concerned. all :,
which are dominated by powerful few a.;
when the critical moment arrives 70, Al,
ply would nationalize the lives and proo.e.,
Of the country, assigning these indlyidu,',
who benefit most to safe administrative "a,
tions. What, then, would you acconpl,,
Isn't your war cure superficial? The ur
mass, denied a referendum on foreign por.
cies, on the question Of war, etc. vi.Lo..
any genuine control Of the national dst,,
year in, year out, during peace, would re,
declaration of war, according to your ia,
nominslly assume that control. VIVA. s,u.
that be worth then?
However, / will try 70 carry your In, 4
thought a little further. II the gov,rar.,
can manage the nations irdustrie. and >.
sources to the best advantage In time 0. N,
why cannot il do the same in time Of pesr'
That is the very question that the psc
war has brought so forcefully 70 the nl,t
of Europeans. The basic idea Of your ,r
of naturalization in time o. war 4. ths. 4,
life, property and interests OF the indiviis
are subordinate to the interests and v,hr
OF the whole nation. That is as ii shosi
be; that Is majority rule, democracy But
that idea is all right, is democratic IL tn,
of war, why not in time Of peace VI,
not for all time soeislizc through collective
ownership I'VE already practically have "a.
lective operation) the resources and Eseh,
cry of production, etc, for the benefit Of u,
whole nation, in place OF the individual oE,
ership Of these national necessities By .,
few for the profit on the nation BY the i,E
as is the case at present? That would y
curing ourself internally, making oursslfE,-
knit and healthy within before we don cos
of armor TO ward OF danger from without
You no doubt will grant that wars t0dsl
are for markets wherein 20 invest and d,
pose OF the surplus wealth and produer
which are accumulated by the prevailing u'
tenn OF production for profit, Therefore, b
instituting the system Of social oSnssaF
we would eliminate the cause and lneehl"
for aggressive war from within, ana 'hsnl
remove the only obstacle TO daylight ti@
macy and a war referendum. MoreoTs
would be really striking at the cause Z" "
fensve war from without, for We mus !"
overlook the influence OF our examps
ether nations. Just as the anniversary PN''
alent system Of private ownership OF 'ns -
chimes of production for PROFIT neee's''
makes for war. so a universal system Of .
lective ownership Of the means OF pr0a.
ton makes for peace. The idea Of eon'cIl
tion Of wealth in time of war IS not ~
having long been suggested by the rsala
nress. Consumption of wealth alone ne'
ever. as preventive Of war IS OF neeg'
w., " y. Y0NTEF
New York, Jan. 10, 1917.