New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-07
Join the Entente Allies


If we 90 TO war with Germany, let us
understand clearly what we are doing.
Nothing could be more pernicious in its Ell
fects than the idea that il will be possible
to conduct a little segregated war OF our
own with Germany, attacking her only in so
far as she interferes with our legitimate
use Of the high seas.
We have conducted near-wars with
Huerta and Carranza-with an impover-
ished and demoralized nation like Mexico.
But Germany is not Mexico and Won Tlr-
pitt. Won Hindenburg and the Kaiser are
not Huertas and Carranzas. In a strug-
gle with a nation like Germany, under
leaders as desperate as Germany's present
leaders, it would be the extreme of folly
for the United States not TO employ its
last ounce of strengthened to take advan-
tage of every circumstance and factor
which may aid it in bringing an arrogant,
vindictive and always dangerous enemy to
terms.
We must remember that were we to fight
Germany single-handed we would be at
great military disadvantage. Germanys
military power, already fully developed, is
many times greater than ours. Were she
dealing with us alone she could easily land
an expeditionary army on our shores and
hold the richest and most helpless section
of the Atlantic Coast in subsection.
If our shores are protected against Ger
=. - l,,c 70
efforts than to the sealing up by the Brit
ish navy of the German high seas fleet.
We shall owe whatever chances we may
have of indicating the rights which Ger
MANY seeks to deny us to the active en-
ployment of practically all Germanys
military resources in her death struggle
with the forces of the Entente.
Were we to refuse to recognize our com
mon interest with the Entente in stamping
out the German menace to civilization
were we haughtily and stupidity to elect TO
see our issue through with Germany IN our
own detached and isolated way-the time
might come when we would be left facing
a Germany freed by peace in Europe 10
seek rich compensations on this side OF the
Atlantic at our expense.
Let us not forget the predcament in
which Napoleon III found himself in Mex
leo after our Civil War. While we were
occupied in civil strife France, Great
Britain and Spain agreed to intervene IN
Mexico. Napoleon was the ringleader IN
the enterprise, and with his backing the
empire of Macmillan was established.
Great Britain and Spain soon drew out OF
the adventure When our war was over
and the veteran armies Of the Union began
moving toward the Mexican border Ma
poeon saw that there was nothing for him
10 do but to get from under and let Maxi
milian's empire go to smash.
So it might be with the United States If
we neglected 10 make common cause with
the Entente Allies, with whom, if Germany
forces war on US, we shall have an alb
solutely common political and military IN
terest. Our aim must be to crush Ger
many, Just as theirs is. Only through
crushing Germany can the safety of the
world. the reestablishment of the rule of
international law and Of justice between
nations, be secured. We should be willing
70 contribute all we can contribute to this
righteous cause. But it would be idiotic
10 neutralize the value of a great part Of
our effort by failing to work in complete
harmony with the other enemies OF Ger
many, who, after two and half years OF
fighting. are in a position to tell us how TO
avoid enormous wastages due TO military
inexperience.
Fortunately, circumstances exert com
pulsion of their own. Once in the war, we
could hardly avoid establishing a strict
community Of interest with the Entente
nations, however reluctant some of us
might be TO take that step. Italy tried the
experiment by making a separate war on
Austria-Hungary. She had her own po-
litical ard military aims, which she tried
10 keep distinct from those Of the original
Entente powers. But her programme Of
separation would not work. She was
Obliged 70 declare war on Germany as well
as on Austria-Hungary, and was also
Obliged 10 become a signatory TO the JOINT
agreement Of the Allies TO make no peace
except on terms including all and satisfac-
tory 10 all.
The United States might as well take
heed now Of Italy's experience. The En-
tente Allies can help US even more than
we can help them. Getting together with
them at the start would therefore be
counsel Of the soundest wisdom and highest
expediency.