New-York tribune., 1917-07-16
"A Meaningless Phrase
or OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: 1t seems 10 me that you have sacri-
feed the ideal for which the United States
has entered the war, and substituted for 1t
a meaningless phrase, when you advocate a
peace that shall have mo annexations, no
indemnites" We have no need TO go 20
Russia for a declaration of object. We have
announced that we are going to make the
world safe for democracy" There is no
other consideration for US; there should be
no other question till we are in position
to guarantee that safety.
But, first, may ask for further decara-
ton Of the meaning of the Russian plea;
Does it mean a peace that will leave the
Central Powers in possession Of all the lands
and resources they had at the beginning OF
the war? II So what OF the promises for
an independent Poland, a new Bohemia? Are
they, too mere scraps of paper? VIII you
deny to the Serbs of Hungary or the exiled
Serbians themselves the right to form new
and greater Serbia? Must France. torn ani
ravished by the inhumanties and devasts-
tion of three years with an outlaw
among nations, still look with sorrowing
heart az those provinces torn from her IN
former unjust war? Will Russia herself,
after the sacrifices made for the cause or
liberty, bear TO see the gates of the blach
Sea and Constantinople still guarded by the
Turk. forever barring her from the develop
ment that is her right? Or, If you Will
grant all these, and concentrate that de-
mand on England, ask yourself TO what end
There seems TO be a widespread idea preva-
lent with those not informed that England
never enters a war except for purposes or
commercial development. England bears
the burden of the hate OF Germany
and German sympathizers. Yet what has
England gained from this war? She has
with her navy and her merchant marine
borne the brunt of the naval conflicts and
made it possible for the Allies to keep
the seas open. She has established BRIT
ish protection over German colonies. She
has, with the aid of her own colonies, taken
considerable part in the land fighting. In
order to protect herself and the world against
German oppression it is not unlikely that
she will advance her claims to those con-
ouered German colonies. And, il so, will 1t
not be a step toward that object which we
have accepted as our aim--the making Of the
world safe for democracy? England, as the
guiding hand of India's millions, has been
2 potent factor for humanity. Would Ger
many's iron fst have extended the aid that
England has 20 that oppressed and king
ridden country? Then why the raising OF
this obie..i-r st time when we should be
bringing every thought 70 bear on the prob
lem Of victory?
Again, let US consider the problems that
await some of the countries Of the Allies.
Germany has devastated innocent Belgium
and the fair lands Of Northern France. She
has driven the liberty loving Serbs from the
lands of their fathers and destroyed their
homes and institutions. They must be re-
built at a tremendous cost OF men and money.
Who can furnish il? Who will? Shall these
ruined and wrecked countries, which have
fought so nobly in the common cause OF free
dom and democracy be left to their desola-
ton. while Germany, arrogant with trlumphs
and satiated with the lust Of the destroyer,
concentrates her energies TO erecting
mightier war machine that shall at some day
in the near future, when once again the oc-
cason seems 70 warrant 1t, lay siege TO the
world and rear its ugly head among peacetul
nations? cannot believe that such peace
IS consistent with the aims Of justice, hu-
manitv and democracy Germany must pay
for the ruin she has brought about both be
cause it is Just and because otherwise che
Will use her energies TO tHe CoHsIToSI'oi
of another militarism that shall be greater
than the present one.
Then let us have peace only when we havo
gained the sim we have set for ourselves.
When the world is safe for democracy, ard
German militarsm is conquered and crushed
as it has crushed Belgium, the German peo-
pie may be trusted to learn the lessons Of
peace and civilization which Kultur and Prus-
sia have driven out. And let America. un
selfish but true to her ideals work for this
alone. nor follow after strange gods 10 the
embarrassment of our sacred cause.
ARTHUR L. SIMRELL.
Babylon, n. Y, July l3, 1917.