New-York tribune., 1917-04-02
The Only Course
The Society of Bcaux- Arts Architect
Urges Extreme Measure"

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: At a meeting Of the executive con
mittee Of the Society Of Beaux-Arts ArehI
tects OF New York held on March 81, upo,
motion duly made and seconded. the follovin,
resolution was unanimously carried:
after exhausting the resources Of diplo.
macy in an effort TO avert war. the Presidsn,
has now taken the only course consistent
with national self-respect
War with Germany will not ensue unless
the imperial German government knowingly
violates well settled principles Of inter
national law and violates them with intent
definitely hostile to the United States. In
that event, war will inevitably follow, not
by cur own act but through the deliberate
aggression Of another nation.
"If any honest doubt exists respecting the
cause of war in Europe, the awful respou.
sibility for extending it to this hemispher.
will rest upon Germany and upon Germany
alone.
1T may be that the imperial German gov
ernment is misinformed respecting the temper
of the people of the United States, just a.
the government is supposed to have miscor-
ceived the sentiment Of the British Empire a.,
the outbreak Of the European war. II so, and
before fatal action based upon so grave q
mistake is taken Germany should be made
aware Of the essential unity OF our people
and OF their loyal determination TO make
all sacrifices necessary TO protect our lib
erty and to maintain our honor. To this
end We call upon all bodies similar to ours
throughout the country and upon ali groups
of citizens organized for whatever purpose to
IL,
with no uncertain voice respecting the course
that they will be prepared to follow.
I'VE urge all such groups Of citizens
secular and religious, large and small, so.
cieties. clubs and institutions Of every sort
to unite with US in giving immediate public
expression to such convictions as those which
we now solemnly record:
First, that the act of the Executive ia
severing diplomatic relations with Germany Is
one to be approved and commended b. al
who have the best interests of the United
States at heart.
Second, that the German declaration o.
January 81. 1917. represents an unjustifed
and unjustifable attempt TO destroy the free
dom of the sea and 10 abridge the CONNER.
cial liberty guaranteed to US by established
law and custom; and that il the government
in such action would be resented BY all good
citizens as in the highest degree pusillsnl
nous and as altogether inconsistent with the
spirit and traditions Of free people.
Third. that the President will be justf
fed in recommending to Congress the mos.
extreme measures that may be deemed nee
essary to protect life liberty and property
and that il is our duty and that OF all loyal
citizens TO tender immediately 10 the GOV.
ernment all the service OF which we several
ly and collectively are capable.
Fourth that. while all should stand ready
to volunteer il voluntary service is called
for. yet Congress. in providing for our COM
mon safety, should not adopt emergency
measures merely. but should definitely rec
ognize the principle that the duty Of de-
tending the nation rests equally upon all
citizens capable of service. To the end.
therefore. that the burden OF safeguarding
the country should no longer be cast eI.
clusively upon the loyal National Guard and
upon other patriotic military and naval VOL
unteers, Congress should be urged 70 exer;
else its constitutional power ito raise ans
support armies" by establishing Immediately
a permanent and democratic system OF de-
fence based upon universal service and train
ing under direct and exclusive Federal con-
troll.
"A copy OF this minute is ordered 10 %
transmitted 10 the President Of the United
States. TO the Secretary OF War and other
members Of the Cabinet, and 20 the members
of both Congressional committees on hlIi
tary Affairs
WILLIAM LAWRENCE BoTToMLEY.
New York, March IS, 1917.