New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-22
Rumblings Indicate Belief
He Is "Out" as an
Arbitrator
ROOSEVELT ATTACKS
WORLD LEAGUE AGAIN
Taft Organization Only to
Enforce Delay, Colonel
Writes BOrah
-Trom The Tribune BureAul

sons peace plans IN so lar as lhey I"-
clude the slightest assumption of re-
sponsibility on the part of the United
States to keep the peace in Europe.
Mr. Wilson's failure in the role OF
peace angel and President of human
ity is admitted even by those dis
posed to be his friends. In diplo-
matte circles and among neutrals and
belligerents the belief is that the
President has eliminated himself as
possible arbitrator. lie accomplished
this by his initial blunder in sending
his peace note at the time he did,
making il clear TO the world, despite
protestations, that he sought TO rem
force the German peace move.
Subsequent plumbers, including the
statements from the Secretary OF
State, made it appear that the gov
eminent was in terror of breaking on
relations with Germany. and reared
"the verge of war" was at hand un-
less the war soon ceased.
The German note in reply TO MI
Wilson, i'm which the imperial govern
ment disdained 10 state terms, ana
the note of the Allies which, IN stat
ing terms, as he had requested, hrmiy
closed the door to peace, demonstrated
TO all that the President could pro
coed no longer on that course.
Peace League is New Hope
The idea of a world league to en-
force peace. contained in Mr. Wilson,
first note. which the Germans CURLY
referred TO as something TO be con
sidered after the war, which the recent
note Of Mr. Balfour gave encourage
ment 10. and which the American
League 10 Enforce Peace supports
through former President Taft, IS be-
ing seized upon eagerly by friends o.
the Administration, as giving opportu-
nifty for another peace move.
The Germans are eager TO keep the
idea of peace alive. The peace drive
which they started more than month
ago needs constant support. Such sup
port. when il comes from neutral, IS
doubly valuable. The American peo-
pie do not yet realize certainly the
representatives Of the Allies
in Washington do not what n desper-
ate effort is now being made TO SHIFT
Germans. The Germans here are en-
in every possible way e.
forts TO induce President Wilson TO
act again. A League TO Enforce Peace
is impossible to the German mlnd, but
if it can be used TO help on the German
peace drive 20 much the better.
The rumblings in Congress are only
against that part of the Presidents
peace plans which would commit this
government to entangling or olsen
tangling alliance. Harsh names are
hurled at this sentiment. which rs
called "little Americanism' and ma
tional selfshness.'
Cling to Isolation Idea
The important thing 20 keep in mind
is that it Is the sentiment not only OF
Congress but of the people who elect
the Representatives They are cling
ing TO the policy of isolation advocated
by George Washington and 10 the Mon
roe Doctrine. So far in Congress only
Senator Borah, of Idaho, and Senator
Lodge, cf Massachusetts, have touched
the subject. Senator Borah's speech
was halted in mid-career by the sur
render of the majority and the radical
amendment Of the resolution approving
the Presidents peace note.
On this subject the following letter
from Theodore Roosevelt 20 Senator
Borah was made public here tonight:
81 notice in The New York Sun a
letter from Mr.. Hamilton Holt, vice
chairman Of the League 70 Enforce
Peace. in which he refers to some re-
1T -. t,1 crl
"Mr. Holt takes exception TO your
recent statement in the Senate. Your
statement was absolutely justified, but
it did not 90 nearly far enough. Mr.
Holt also attempts to controvert my
statement desired, in protesting
against thce action of the various
gentlemen, including President Wilson
who are advocating a League TO En-
force Peace, to assail them in theii
strongest position. Therefore | tool
the public speeches and addresses oil
these prominent men who have advo
Gated the formation of such league
for their speeches and addresses hav,
been read by thousands of citizens fol
every single citizen who has read th'
resolutions drawn up by the body e
which Mr.. Holt belongs.
"As he objects to my not having dis
cussed these particular resolutions
however, gladly do so, and point on
that you were far too lenient IN YOU
statement of the matter.
Deceptive Title Assailed
"Mr. Holt points out, apparently al
q matter Of pride, that the League e
Enforce Peace has deliberately choser
a deceptive title. and that IL has NJ
more idea Of enforcing peace than i
has of enforcing righteousness, bu
only, to use his own words, intends u
enforce delay The League does no
propose TO concern itself with tn,
righteousness or unrighteousness o
any action; it simply proposes tina
when wrong has been done the wrong
doing nation and the wronged nation
shall be forced TO bring the case be
fore some outside council and that thu
League shall go to war against which
ever refuses TO take this action.
"Now, there are certain wrong
which no nation ought for one momen
TO discuss before taking action, and j
is profoundly immoral for would-b
philanthropists TO decline TO pass judg
ment in such cases on the wrong ant
merely propose 10 take action agains
the nation which itself acts; for o
course it Is likely that in such a cas-,
II is the wronged nation which will act
Let ME give concrete case. /
Germany should sink another Lusi
tsnia, or Mexico commit another mas
sacre like that at Carrizal, and if II,
United States in such case deemed u
her duty to take immediate action as
for one would certainly sdvocste), the
proposal of Mr.. Holt and his associates
is that the League to Enforce Peace
should declare war, not against tn,
wrong doer, but against the wronget
party. A more preposterous absurdity
a more wicked absurdity, could hsrdl!
be devised.