New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-31
"MADE IN GERMANY"
v,nou Items the Presidents Speech Which Uphold IeuonIc Pleas
and Propaeands--The Mischief to America

Their power and TO consent to all sacrifices "a
| bring TO n victorious close a conflict upon
which they are convinced not only their own
safety and prosperity depend but also the
future of civilization iSself"? But perhaps
tho President has desired to echo the Ger
man sneer that the Allied answer to the
peace proposals is merely bluff. IL woulo
seem so. for to the noble sentiments OF the
Allied answer. Mr.. Wilson sneers, us the
present war a struggle for just and secure
|peace. or only for new balance OF power Z
Perhaps the most significant OF the press ais
patches has referred to the difficulties winch
the German diplomats encountered IN con-
ccaling their delight over the address, az
we'll might be, since If a peace should come
without victory, it is the belief Of many mill
tary experts that the aggressor in the Euro
pcan war will have triumphed.
! But how about the concert OF powers upon
which the peace Of the world is hereafter in
the plan of Mr.. Wilson to rest? Is 1t in any
respect different from that Concert of the
powers" likewise heavily armed, of which we
have heard much since the Treaty of Berlin
and which has become by-word for discord
only? Who can contemplate the modern his
tory of Europe and believe that concert OF
movers would be success, except in Utopia
I
address, which is many times repeated in diff
/ crent phrases, with many references to hu-
manity and with much misstatement con-
corning what the traditions of the country
have been. Mr.. Wilson's success in distor-
ton of facts in the past with reference both
to the Mexican and to the main international
situations. may have seemed TO warrant him
! in believing that the American people VIII
accent such a programme as an embodiment
of american principles" and American poll
cies" He says further, "And they are also
the principles and policies Of forward look
! ing men and women everywhere, of every
modern nation, of every enlightened com
munity. They are the principles Of mankind
and must prevail" For the future Of the
nation let us pray that he has misJudged not
only the nations traditions, but the temper
of the American people as well.
AS regards the effect of this second injec-
ton of Mr. Wilson's personality into the
conflict of the world, it is inconceivable that
il should materially modify the programme
OF the Allies as regards the main objects
which they must keep in view. Their exist
ences are at stake, and no indication has
| been given that such sentiments as Mr.. VIII
lsor's will materially affect them. The men
ace Of the whole proceeding is much less TO
the Allied powers than to this country; and
in the further beclouding of the real issues
the mischief of such document and OF such
q sensational way Of presenting 1t may be
very great. The man in the street is apt to
say that the President has access to sources
of information and to expert advice which
must give preponderant weight to his state
ments. Unfortunately Mr.. Wilson has
Throughout his administration shown nothing
but contempt for expert advice, and he has
! taken effective means that the public shall
not learn by any chance of the nature of such
advice. Protests against unwarranted use of
authority and misstatement of facts should
be promptly voiced if the mischief Of such
utterances is to be prevented.
VIM H. HOBBS.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 90, 1917.