New-York tribune., 1918-08-04
England Our Ally

1t IS four years ago to-day since Eng
land cast her fate with France against
the German. We Americans have learned
much since that day of confusion and
tumbling faiths. We have learned, for
one thing, how difficult it is to educate
people to a new world, the world that
was then revealed. We had lived and
thought peace, as had England. And in
a tWlnkllng monster was revealed
striking at the heart of civilization. Eng
land, like ourselves, was called upon to
readjust her whole philosophy, to remake
her whole national mind. And she was
required to do so overnight For us
there was time, as events proved, time
to waste in vanity and sloth For Eng
land there was no time.
What England then did on that 4th
day of August, 1914, will always stand
as one of the clearest acts of courage
and decision that great nation has
ever committed. There was a confusion
of voices in England, naturally. Ger
many sought by every vile to keep Eng
land out Of the war. There was endless
opportunity for debate and sophistrv.
And England did not debate. Is there
such thing as national instinct, national
intuition, in such an hour? Whatever
the source, the finest and truest Of Eng
land took command. Face to face with a
deadly monster, wantonly overrunning in
nocent Belgium and striking for peaceful
France, England drew her sword with
splendor and righteousness. The words
Of Mr.. Asquith in the House of Com
mons cannot be reread too often
We are fighting, firstly, to fulfil inter
national obligations which, if entered into
by private individuals, no self-respecting
man could have repudated; and, sec
ondly, to vindicate the principle that
small nations are not to be crushed in
defiance Of international good faith at
the arbitrary will Of strong and over
mastering power No nation entered
into great contest with cleaner con-
science or a stronger conviction It is
striking for the defence of a principle
the maintenance of which is the vital
civilization of the world
Four years of Allied discussion have
not added materially to these clear words
Of right and justice with which England
made her swift decision.
What she declared, that she did. The
whole army of England was flung forth
with to the support Of France without
thought Of what might come after. The
cool gallantry of that wonderful little
force was not more superb than the calm
courage of the government and the ma
ton which thus hazarded its last fight
ing man in support Of its honor.
The years since have been solemn and
dark for England. 1t is not in the Eng
lishman to do his labor romantically It
is in the English character to do much
doggedly and unintelligently. "Dogged
does it," There have been ups and
downs in the English heart and Will. as
in every other nation at war But the
will to win has never faltered and her
men and women have fought the fight
against odds with true British determi-
nation. At each wound and rebuff the
old lion has shaken his name and re
turned to fight harder than ever.
We are fighting side by side with our
British allies, as with our French allies
Our cause is as unified as is our com
mand. Old hostilities seem world
away. Not only admiration for all that
England has done, but understanding
has entered our hearts. The Trcoor.
the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes
are bound on the same errand, and, please
God, they shall never part. That is the
message of good VIII and heartfelt greet
ing we would send across seas to old
England on this, her proudest day.