New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-01
Why We Are at War
Real Cause Lies in Future Threat q
Mailed Fist
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Nations as we'll az individuals A..
ruled by intangible causes. The feelia,,
that inspire their actions are often a,
deeper than their speech, and for th!, r...
son their deeds often seem prophetic. p,
Of tho people who fought out our wars A.
the past we're aware Of the real signiE, an,.
OF those wars. We began the Revolut n,r
War 20 avoid the payment OF an uniu,. "a,
We won a separate national ideal.
To find the real cause for our war Wit,
Germany one must look TO the future, IA,
10 he past.
Ne are not at war on account Of the wror,,
by any sense OF sympathy with either TAI,
or England though these feelings doub,.
less help with some people. We are not 4,
war TO make the world safe for democracy'
for the average American cares very lid,
whether Japan and South Africa are demo.
war over the sinking Of the Lusitanis a,
the work Of German plotters in this eou,.
try, even though these are sufficient causs
for war. Nor have we gone to war becss.
we dislike the Germans themselves. On u.
contrary, this country is full Of respec, %,
the Germany that 1t has hitherto known-.h.
Germany Of science, art, law and stare.
citizenship.
The trouble lies in the fac. that German
has entered upon course Of conduct whie.
is q distinct threat TO our own liberty aat
future destiny. True, Germany has, doubt.
less, been unaware Of any evil intent, but |,
course Of action once entered leaves you 10
longer able 20 control your destiny. Thai
is under the control Of the logic Of events
and the end is inevitable. Germany mus, b.
beaten, or she must continue as che ha. b..
gun-even 70 the end.
Here is her position: She has suffered in.
mense losses, not least Of which are her fos
eign commerce, financial connections and he,
prestige in art and philosophy. Her only
means Of recouping her losses is her power
in arms Force, however, begets the nee!
for more force. Suppose Germany able .,
make peace to-day upon the basis OF no
snnexations and no indemnities. She would
find a world allied against her-sn allisne.
based upon g mutual feeling Of fear and
distrust. Belgium, for the sake OF self.p,o.
lection, would place ner future Win FRANCE
or England. Rumania would unite with Rus.
STA, and Serbia with Greece; and Russis,
France, England, Italy and their colonies
would merely, as a matter OF precaution, con.
tinue their present alliance in some other
form-and the remainder OF the world would
share their feelings.
Suppose Germany triumphant in this war
How would she deal with this anti-Germsa
feeling-how would she feel that she must
deal with it, Her only answer TO this world.
feeling of distrust would be bigger armies
and navies, maintained by enormous indem.
mites which the United States would be help.
irg TO pay. The mailed fist" would BE-
knocking at the door OF every goyernmea.
Rouse in the world and every financial inst-
tuition, and back of that fist would be the
threat Of Belgium and Serbia. The United
States will never submit TO live under the
shadow of such threat.
The spectre OF Germany triumphant,
super-armed, dominant, with Belgium under
her feet-this is the feeling that has called
America TO arms. She will not put up her
weapons till that spectre is laid to rest.
J. F. BOYDSTUN.
Collnsville, Conn, Aug. "a, 1917.