New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-16
Our Democracy at War
1t Should Jettison Malcontents and
Use All Its Ability
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Even those OF US who feel most
strongly that the future welfare OF the "orla
and of humanity depends upon the triumph
Of democracy must concede that democratic
control OF governmental institutions IS not
the most efficient method for the conduct OF
war. But though we be willing 70 iorego
the increased efficiency that is TO be got from
artocratic highly centralized government
there is no reason why democracy, for the
sake Of preserving outworn and useless po-
litical systems, should unnecessarily nandl-
cap itself.
This country ought to learn from the earlier
tlunders, trials and dscouragements OF our
present allies. We should also proht by 'he
light they have seen, as we'll as by the mis-
takes from which they learned.
England at once recognized that men, now
ever able, patriotic and sincere, who were not
in sympathy with the war, or whose useiui-
ness was limited because, enormously or not
they were deemed not to be in sympathy with
the war. could not remain at the head OF
great departments of government LORD mai
dane. to whom it is conceded England owea
much for his conduct of the war ofhce anu
for the organization OF the lerrl'oi' ai'
while Secretary of State for war; re'iieu
and Prince Louis of Battenberg, recognized
&c an able sailor and unquestioned patriot
his sons names are on the roll OF honor OF
Tho british dead. also retired. They felt,
and the government felt, that their useiul-
NO.. was Handicapped by the fact that they
were believed to have sympathy, in one case
h, reason of education, and in the other by
reason of blood, with the German people.
Messrs. Stone and kitchin
Rut in the United States we are tolerat-
inc. apparently without demur at the heau
NJ two Of the most important committees IN
,ur Congress- two men totally out OF synpa-
.hv with the position of the government ana
with the will of the majority OF the peoPie
as expressed by their representative
l.. Senator Stone, chairman OF the ooih'n''
tee on Foreign Relations or the senate anu
Representative Kitchin, chairman OIL INC
WAYS and Means Committee OF the houSe
of REPRESENTATIVES. In the matter Oh per
sonal attainment certainly not as strong i"
casa can be made out for Senator stone anu
Gov Mr. Kitchin as for Lord Haldane and
for Prince Louis of Battenberg. lhelr Claims
70 the nositions which they occupy rest sole
arc respectively. the senior members OF thelr
marty on the committees in question. lnough
these gentlemen may say that. notwltnstahd
ing their personal opinions, they VIII pach
tho government and people OF the Ohlteu
States faithfully and sincerely, there can De
no question that they cannot be as eflclehI
NJ men who are not only sincere ana iaith-
fpI hut also in sympathy with the work mat
is to be done.
without singing out any members OF the
Presidents Cabinet, one would scarcely riSn
contradiction in saying that there are men VI
Greater ability whose services are at the dls-
rosal of the country, and who could more
eeicientlv carry out the work OF the depart
.,or.s This war is not a party matter.
There would seem. therefore, to be no rea-
con Univ the President should not avail him.
coIf of the ability and energy of other men
roreIv because they do not happen to De
members of his party. Early in the war the
Government of the French Republic was
nlaced in the hands of ministry composed
If the leading men of France without regard
70 marty. There have been changes since, puc
the principle has been preserved that inc
war is not a party matter, ana that the '"i
ents of the best men should be MADE use Oh,
Il was somewhat later that England lorheu
a coalition government, ana IhouSh INC pr
emit War Cabinet and ministry are not the
same as the coalition government, the prlh-
ciple has been maintained by drawing the
leading men from all the parties.
There is no reason why the same thlns
should not be done at Washington To go no
further than the advisory commission of the
| Council Of National Defence, the President
could find some men of great administrative
L;l;,,, ,rbo would be of use in his Cabinet.
II is we'll known that now the ability of these
men is being wasted in positions in which
thcv NAV make Investigations, but have no
power to act. l. ~
ST. Paul, June 10, 1911