New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-24
Send a Division to Belgium

fence, should be the dispatch OF dlVI-
sion, drawn from our regular army, to
Belgium.
II requires no argument TO demonstrate
that the issue which the invasion Of Bel
GUM raised is the paramount issue of the
war, and that the principle involved is the
principle at the root of the whole struggle.
To send a division of United States
troops TO Belgium, TO serve alongside the
Belgian troops in the defence Of that tiny
portion of Belgium still left to King Al
bert, and join with the Belgian troops in
the reconquest of their homes, this is
something that America should regard as
moral duty.
Whatever one may think of the other
aims of the contending nations in Europe,
the Belgian issue is unmistakable and
the liberation Of Belgium is the duty
of the world.
By sending a division of regular troops
TO Belgium we should relieve certain
number of French troops now engaged
with the Belgians. The troops which we
send would pass through France, and
their passing through France would be
sign and a symbol TO the whole French
people, first, that Americans were send
ing their sons TO serve the same cause in
Europe that French troops served in
America nearly century and a half ago,
and. second, they would be a visible evil
dence Of the arrival of new force in the
world struggle.
The Tribune agrees with its neighbor
"The World" in it's suggestion that we
should give rather than lend money to
France But it feels that however great
the sum of money we may give to
France, if it were unaccompanied by
American troops it would seem to peo-
pie spending their best blood in the ser
vice of civilization only a partial per-
Torrance of our duty. 1t is not enough
to pay in money, and we must share in the
sacrifice of life essential to the salvation
Of civilization.
The Tribune believes that the United
States should make all proper prepare
tons for waging war, for contributing as
an ally both in blood and treasure to the
common cause Of the nations now fighting
against Germany. But it believes that
German, and not American, purposes would
be served if the declaration of war upon
Germany should be followed by an inter
ruption of that flow Of supplies and NUM-
tons to Europe which, for France and
for Russia, is almost indispensable.
One of the first things that the German
influences in this country will attempt to
do after war has been declared-and some
Of them have not awaited the declaration
is TO limit the participation of America
to defence on this side Of the Atlantic.
Only secondary will be the attempt to per-
susde Congress TO lay hands on all war
materials in this country and turn them to
the use Of an American army which it
will take long months and even years to
create. If, following our declaration of
.. upon Germany, we should be beguiled
ilto hlterrupting the flow Of steel products
- munitions 20 France, we should, in
ave made the greatest possible con-
r5U. on TO Germany, and our entrance
10 the war might have a fatal meaning
or those who are fighting our enemy
We must send troops 20 Europe, because
We must demonstrate our willingness to
do our part and give Of our lives as we'll as
Of our money. We shall have TO send many
thousands more Of troops 10 Europe If the
var continues for several years, as
now seems likely; but this is a consdera-
ton Of the future. At the moment it is
Of first Importance that before we do
anything we should coordinate our plans
with hose who are 10 be our allies, and
we MIST avoid at all costs contributing TO
Cerm,n victory by ignorant and stupid
scttties on our own part
ff7v 'fr,o..s.S .belieges That the division
sent 10 Europe should be Offered from
~. s...t1s.Lsn.x.. that "a ehooid