New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-04

what the maiSHdt uiu say ""' yHAiSlOlsy
censored But now, unoficially, here cones
from ". Clemenceau the clear Word
from France as to what is needed, as to whs,
is calculated to contribute 70 the immediate
success of the war" And in this morning,
Tribune another clear word from the PEG.
ple of France in the letter Of ". A. Grille
Of st. Just.
4 Personal Appeal
To whom really is NJ. Clemenceaus let.
ter addressed? In superscription It is al.
dressed TO President Wilson. Yes, IN transit
it is addressed 10 him. And his IS the Op.
portunitv to seize the letter as his own, 10
accept the appeal as addressed 10 him and
to send Roosevelt. But if he will not 50
take il, N. Clemenceau's letter becomes the
letter of France to the American people, and
il will be to our eternal disgrace If We do no,
find or make a way to respond We are
America-humbing, inspiring thought We
rs citizens are the soycreIgns of this country
If our public servants are deaf II is FOR Us
to see to il that they hear. III they will no,
hear ours is the responsibility for the De.
feet. We elected them.
The wonderful, searching dignity Of tbs,
letter. II is the voice Of a people who have
faced death for others, who have been dec.
mated in sacrifice. Stern, plteous pleading.
II is the appeal of a people who have looked
God face to face, who have felt a hand Tes
on their heads and heard a voice saying 70
them. "Henceforth ! call you not servants
but friends" Such arc the unfaterrg
heroes who ask our help this year with
simple question that searches our sincerity
as they stand looking through the khaki rank,
under the Stars and Stripes and saying
"Where is Roosevelt" They make no mis-
take. When America really does 20 to The
rescue she will send Roosevelt. BY his pres
ence At the front shall the French and the
Belgians and the Germans-and we our
selves-realy know that America means
what she says at last But President Wilson
is sending 10000! What are 10000 when
800 900 are needed to render adequate as
sistance" and at least 2sS,OO0, plus the 49,.
coo, can be sent at once?
Wake Up. America.
viii America hear? or is she too busy
busy making up back preparation and getttg
ready for next year or for l9l9-she VINO
stands with the light at the entrance OF The
New World. looking east across the blood
stained seas? Can she not hear the eleaI'
quiet voices Of the polus, standing on guard,
holding on. brave TO the last, with their que'
eyes wondering at our technical excuses
and academic delays, calling to US: I'VE rave
fought a good fight! We are dying. For Coos
sake. comc-nOw.'
1t is a true poem, "To France by Alan
f. Mulgan. of Auckland New Zealand, m TINS
mornings Tribune. As true poet, the
voice Of his people, he pays the homage Of
the British Empire. But not yet is Ameri0
worthy 20 utter those lines to France Thus
far we have done little but call our women
and children hcadstrong and foolish for sail
ing OIL the Lusitana wonder what the Allies
were lighting for, withhold prompt assist
ancc. and in this sublime moment of exposed
unproparcdness patronizingly tell the French
poilus and the survivors of Belgium that I'VE
are now ready to come to your assistance
and fight out upon the fields Of the world
the cause Of human liberty" Some day
America may free her feet from the mire o.
petty politics, with mighty stride 20 70 the
rescue, and earn the right again to vaunt the
names Of Washington and Of Lincoln, bat ths,
time is not yet, the more is our shame. We
who have been too proud to fight for nearly
three years should be proud enough 10 keep
quiet and humby do our part in silence while
it will still do some good. God help us.
WILLIAM CHAUNCY LANGDON.
Amherst, Mass. May 81, 1917