New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-02
Down to the Dregs

Mexico ana pANh lAiNA -
Is useful rather than surprising. If 1t
serves to convince many Americans OF the
true meaning of German policy in the
world it will only be because these Ameri-
cans have so far turned deaf ear and
blind eve to the supreme fact in the world
of the present hour.
A number of years ago the rulers Of
Germany and the makers of German
policy adopted as their purpose the crea-
tion of a German world power which
should dominate the globe. They asserted
the doctrine that it was the sacred mission
Of Germany to impose a German ciyillza-
ton upon the world. They affirmed the
doctrine that what men called good and
what men called evil were, in fact, good
and evil only as they were advantageous
or injurious to this German purpose.
To-day. as yesterday, as on all days
since this great struggle began, German
policv has remained the same. 1t was ad-
vantageous to Germany to cross Belgium
and Germany crossed in defiance of all the
agreements of German statesmen and the
international conceptions of right Those
Belgians who resisted German trespass
placed themselves beyond the pale, and the
men were murdered, the women dishon-
ored and the children massacred in con-
sequence.
From that day to this the process has
been the same. Were there neutral
right. a consideration of humanity JUS
tice. right interposing between Germany
and her purpose, these were instantly de
stroyed. not because Germans were other
wise more ruthless than their fellow men,
but because Germans considered that
where Germany was concerned neither
men, women nor children, of any race what
soever, had right 70 life, liberty or the
pursuit of happiness.
The fundamental mistake in the United
States has been the belief that it was pos
sible TO remain neutral in the presence of
such policy and with regard TO nation
practising it. In 50 far as European ma
tons fight over provinces, trade or power,
As rivals. our country can have no ma
tionai concern. 1t might have sympa-
thies. but it could not have interest. And
it was this conception of the present
struggle which has brought US to our
present pitch.
But with nations, as with neighbors, 1t
is impossible TO remain neutral when a
policy is proclaimed by one nation which
threatens the existence of all. No one
can remain neutral while there is mad
man in the neighborhood, even if the mad
ness is limited to habit of killing only
those who happen TO get between the lu-
matte and his immediate object Nor is II
possible TO remain neutral in the presence
Of a murderer who seeks only to assassi-
nate an immediate foe and consents u
spare all those who can get out Of range
of his gun or reach Of his club.
The rulers Of Germany proclaimed the
German destiny to be that Of world su-
premacy. The masters OF German policy
from the morning Of the war proclaimed
hat it was German right 70 tramplC
= on all other rights inconvenient or ham
pering. And for moro than two year;
Americans have imagined that they could
remain neutral in the presence Of such a
policy and under the shadow Of such q
purpose The result has been inescapa
bic. Our dead have been scattered over
the Seven Seas, our flag has disappeared
from the ocean, our own country has beer
torn by violence and sedition. To-day We
find that on our borders German agents
have sought 20 manufacture war, as with
in our boundaries they have procured
murder.
And the cause Of all IL the same. When
nation or an individual proclaims and
employs The doctrine that there il only
one right, and that personal, then there
can be only one Of two states left for the
balance Of mankind. They must be bellig-
crents or slaves, they must submit or