New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
UNREASONING PREJUDICE
A Reader Finds Much Of 1t in The Tribune S
Attitude Toward MIR. Wilson
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

10 lHe bulLOF OF Inc lilDOuV
Sir: | have long been a reader Of The
Tribune, almost exclusive Of even evening
papers, because have found it to be, In my
opinion, not only the best news agency in
the city, but also the source of the best edi-
torial exposition and comment current in
the press Of to-day. However, feel that |
must offer my protest against the attitude
which your paper, and especially the editorial
mage has assumed Of late toward the foreign
policy of Mr.. Wilson.
For instance, in to-days issue find fully
one-third Of the editorial page devoted to
letters from readers, and yet in all those
letters there is evidenced not one little spark
Of logical and just comment on the Presl-
dents late speech.
This attitude of unreasoning prejudice has
been manifested to some extent, | am sorry
to say. in your own comments as well. For
instance, when Mr.. Wilson, from neutral
position, without any misdirected attempt to
read between the lines Of the professed war
aims of the various powers, and with sim
cere desire to hasten an early establishment
of peace, remarked in his peace note of De-
cember IS: 1.-THE concrete objects for which
the war is being waged have never been
definitely stated. The leaders Of the several
belligerents have stated those objects IN
general terms But, stated in general terms,
they seem the same on both sides. Never yet
have the authoritative spokesman of either
side avowed the precise objects which would,
if attained, satisfy them and their people
that the war had been fought out The world
has been left to conjecture what deintlye
results, what actual exchange Of guarantees,
what political or territorial changes or read
even. would bring the war TO an end" When
Mr. Wilson wrote that, ! say, you, with sub
lime and deliberate Indifference to all of the
context. accused Mr.. Wilson of saying that
both sides we're fighting for the same ends.
Such a remark is crime OF which one might
easily believe Mr.. Roosevelt guilty-in fact,
he was but when a newspaper of your
standard resorts to such tactics to induce
public disapproval of Mr.. Wilson's acts and
policies something is assuredly the trouble.
Your editorial Of the other day entitled
"At His Worst" bears the same stamp OF
preiudice. and in your answer to-day TO THE
/ Evening Posts" just criticism, you involun-
tarily acquire the air of one who, having
already formed an opinion based on personal
bias. seeks arguments afterward to support
that opinion.
Furthermore. I do not, nor can I, believe
that the letters you publish offer fair rep
resentation OF public opinion as you are made
directly aware OF IT, If you are to be a
New York Tribune IN fact as well as in
name. why allow your prejudice TO discrim-
nate between the would-be participants in
YOUR open forum? Is it fair to your read
ers7
And, finally, boost! Don't be "knocker"!
A. f. SPROUL, Jr.
Passaic, N. j., Jan. %, 1917.
IOur correspondent is mistaken as TO
the letters received. The Tribune has at
tempted, as always, to give fair repre-
sentaton to both sides of the controversy.
AS matter of fact, the letters support
ing the President have been few in number
and practically all of them have been
printed Less than half of the letters in
opposition have been printed.-Ed.l