New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
NO MIRACLES IN PROSPECT
This Country Bound to Fight Germany, and
Wishing Won't Change Facts
a .he EDITOR of The 1ribune,

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: I read with interest the letter OF
american Citizen" in The Tribune OF feo-
ruary - and with equal interest the COM
ment thereon contained in the letter OF "A
Native American Citizen" in to-day's issue
II the writer of the first letter is the person
think he is he needs no one to take up the
cudges of debate in his behalf. He Is fully
capable of handling any argument in when
he may become engaged. As for the writer
of the second letter, he probably expresses
with candor and sincerity the impression
made upon his mind by the letter to when
he takes exception. But, like all pacifists, he
is most delightfully."- vague in his language,
premises and conclusions-quite a contrast
to that which he criticises.
However, il is not my intention 70 inject
myself into a proftless controversy. | desire
to take my stand with american Citizen
and indorse The sentiments he so vigorously
and succnctly sets forth. To use COLO
auialsm, it is indeed high time Germany
were told she must either fish or get off the
dock.
II is fair to assume that "A Native Ameri-
can Citizen" is possessed of average intelll-
gence-his pseudonyme commits him to that.
1t does not seem probable, therefore, that
were a man TO step up to him in the street
and deal him series of singing blows IN
the face he would construe those blows into a
demonstration of frendliness on the part OF
the aggressor If "a Native American Citi-
zen" has one drop of American red blood IN
his veins-and | believe he has, because he
claims 20 be a native American citizen-l
have not the least doubt that if such an in
sulting and unwarranted attack should be
made upon him he would without hesitation
voice an emphatic declaration of war and
open hostilities without parley or loss OF
time.
And there you have the present German
American crisis in a nutshell. Every hour or
delay now in openly and positively joining
issue with Germany means just so much more
unnecessary trouble and hardship and dis
aster later. Each hour of present delay, OF
"watchful waiting" means just so much more
time for Germany to stealthily jockey her.
self into an advantageous position from
which to deliver the blow which will leave
her ultimate purpose no longer in doubt--lf
any doubt could exist in the light of what she
has done-and which will stun the United
States to the uttermost corners of its con-
fines.
After the Supplying effects of that shock
have worn off then the country will awake,
and for the first time, to full realization OF
the fact that il is engaged in life-and-death
struggle for its very existence. And after
that awakening has come will come the bitter
realization, the futile regret and chagrin, that
it is utterly unprepared to meet the crisis
and that it has wantonly wasted nearly three
years-years that m ght so easily and should
have been devoted to the supreme task OF
getting ready adequately to meet that crisis
in a fools paradise of sham security and
inviolability from alien attack.
1t has long ceased to be question OF
whether we shall have war with Germany.
We are and have been for some time at war
with her. Why therefore, delude ourselves
longer with the infantile belief and the vain
hope that miracle will at this eleventh hour
be vouchsafed US that will prevent open and
armed hostiites with that country?
HOMER DUNE.
Yonkers, n. Y, Feb. l5, 1917.