New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
4 BRITISH VIEW OF AMERICAS OPPORTUNITY
Only by Helping in the Conflict Can
We Lay the Foundation for
an Enduring Peace, Says
Sydney Brooks

blood, if it be necessary, so that all the
common compacts of liberty may be sealed
with the blood of free men,"
The objects for which the Allies are
fighting have never, that | know of, been
stated more concisely and more felicitous-
ly. Americans, when they enter the war,
will be using the mighty force of the
United States not merely to defend Amer
lean rights and chastise the murderers OF
American citizens. They will be using it
to fight the battle of democracy against
the rule of panoplied caste. They will
be using it TO insure that even the strong
est power shall not be free to break trea-
ties with impunity and that even the
weakest power shall be at liberty to live
it's own life. They will be using it to up
hold the sanctity of public faith against
the gospel of force and the covenants of
civilization against those who have
trampled down every principle of right
dealing between nations. They will be
using it to restore to its old high pedestal
the battered but indestructible idol OF
human freedom. They will be using it,
above all, in order to start the world on
new and saner path and to erect and sup
port an enduring fabric Of peace.
THE ESSENCE OF THE CAUSE
Peace. democracy, freedom-no nation
ever had nobler call to arms than these
causes. Within their intricacies are to be
found, as Mr.. Wilson said, all the texts OF
the rights Of man. They are causes which
elevate your spirit, not depress it, They
are causes in which at seems a glory to
shed human blood, if it be necessary, so
that all the common compacts OF liberty
may be sealed up with the blood of free
men,"
And for one am certain of the response
they will meet with from the American
people. AS an Englishman who has loved
and studied and done what he could to
interpret America for the past two decades,
refuse to share the misgivings and lanen-
tations of some of my American friends.
What do believe is that in no land is a
leader who appeals to what is best and
least material and most self-sacrificing in
human nature more certain of national
backing. What / do believe is that the
fundamental passion of America is to
serve the world, regardless of the cost to
herself. But there never has been in all
history such an opportunity for service as
now. or so clear and insistent summons
to the faith and vision of American states
manship and TO the nobler impulses OF the
American people. That President Wilson
feels tie call of these times and the splen-
dor of Americas chance through every
sentient channel of his being l have no
more doubt than | have of his ability to
rally behind his crusade the exultant en-
thusiasm of the American people. He
knows-no man better-that the subma-
rine question is a mere side issue. He
knows that what beckons to America I'M
ceasingy and imperatively from the weller
of this war is the cause of humanity, of
civilization and of democracy. And he
knows. too, that in the defence of those
sacred issues America never has been and
never will be lacking.
And the President also must now,