New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-09
America at the Allied Round
Table

The presence of the first American rep
resentation at European war council IS
an historic event Of permanent value in
American annals. Americans will not mis-
take the character Of the role they are so
far able to play in the Great War. We do
not appear at the conference Of our allies
20 dictate either as to the direction Of the
war or as to methods Of conducting mill
tary operations.
There is no exaggeration in the Ameri-
can mind as to the meaning Of our presence
there to-day. We go to the conference a
fresh nation, with resources undeveloped
and with man-power as yet hardly more
than touched. We 60 simply to offer that
which we have to give of strength and to
present those views which are expressive
of the American nation. We seek neither
TO dominate nor to dictate. Our full pur-
pose is expressed in the desire to coop
crate and contribute TO the common cause
Beyond all else the exact limitations
placed upon our delegation speak admit
rably and accurately the American mind.
The delegation which we have sent does
not go to consider peace terms or to dis
cuss war aims. Mr.. Wilson has recognized
clearly and Mr.. Lansing has expressed
completely I view of the American peo-
ple that there can be at this time no dis
cussion of peace terms and that all efforts
to force such discussion must be in their
effect Instantaneous to the conduct Of
the war.
We, in America, recognize quite clearly
that for the present there can be only
one war aim, and that is the defeat Of
the German military establishment We
recognize completely that all else IS
subordinate and contingent upon the final
demonstration alike 70 the friend and to
the enemy in Europe, and first TO the Ger
man people, that the German army cannot
control the world and that all its methods,
an the brutalities, all the crimes express
ing the spirit Of the German army are
unavailing.
Mr.. House and those officers ana
civilians associated with him have gone
TO Europe TO express the American
belief that the war must be won on
the battlefield; that it must be won by
the soldiers; and that until the German
Armies are defeated only those who mis-
understand the facts, who have lost heart
or who sympathize with the Germans can
speak Of terms or urge n reopening Of the
question Of the discussion of the final
terms. All these questions may be dis
cussed and will be discussed when the Ger
man army has been defeated; when It has
been demonstrated 20 Germany and to the
world that no matter how great the prep
aration, how admirable the organization,
how universal the national desire, one peo-
pie cannot control Europe by force Of
arms. The German elected in July and
August, 1914, to test the resolution and
strength Of the world on the battlefield.
A On the battlefield his defeat must be CON-
plete. So far-snd only so farvcan we
think and talk Of terms.
One other detail In the discussion among
The Allies is exciting a great deal Of tall;
On both sides Of the ocean. This is the
question OF unity Of purpose. On this
subject The Tribune has spoken before
There is a very deep feeling in this coun-
Try that so far the Allied cooperation
On the military side has fallen short Of
what Is possible. 1t is not question Of
naming Haig, or Petain, or Cadorna, or,
least Of all, Pershing, 10 be the Napoleon
on the Allied side. II is not a question
Of surrendering everything 10 a man or TO
9 country, but on the other hand it is a
question Of formulating in advance Of the
campaign Of 1913 programme for unity
of'action and unity Of purpose which shall
prevent repetition Of the events Of 1915,
for example, when the Allies scattered
their troops from the Straits Of Dover
10 those Of the Dardanelles and gave Ger
many the opportunity 70 concentrate her