New-York tribune., 1918-12-04
1t Does Not
BehooUe Us

< TX: he recent outgiylng OF Mr.. Frank
- r. Kent in "The Baltimore Sum- is
infinitely regrettabe 1t would be so even
if it correctly represented the situation.
But it does not. 1t does contain certain
facts These facts, however, neither
new nor is their publication harmful, how
ever questionable il may be in taste The
Objectionable and pernicious part of the
statement is not in it's recital of facts, but
in the setting forth of Mr.. Kent's de-
ductions and in his reproduction Of
mischievous gossip.
My justification for taking part in the
discussion aroused by Mr.. Kents statement
rests on the fact that ! in Europe
during a considerable part of the period
to which Mr. Kent refers, and that I had
occasion to see the principal members Of
the British and French Cabinets, our own
leading representatives, from General Per-
shing and Ambassador Sharp down, and
editors Of the most influential organs of
public opinion in England and France.
From the facts as l had opportunity TO
ascertain them, and not from hearsay. ]
know that the attitude Of the governing
circles in these countries was and is ore
of the utmost good will and the most gen
erous recognition toward America and the
sincerest seeking for lasting and cordiai
! friendship I know of my own knowledge
that more than once requests from the
representatives of America complied
with-although such requests did not ac-
cord with the views of the French and
British authorities and at times were far
from easy TO meet-and they com
piled with solely from a warm-hearted
des re to accede to anything within the
limits of the practicable that America
might ask.
And | have never seen or heard Of any
more touching and unanimous manifesto
taon on the part of the people of ma
ton toward those of another nation than
the solcitous eagerness the part Of
everybody, high or low, in England and
France to make our boys welcome and to
minister to their wellbeing and comfort.
And the universal praise and admiration
bestowed on our soldiers for their ap-
pearance, conduct and valor were in strik-
ing contrast to the reticence OF the Eng
lish and the French in speaking of the
sacrifice they themselves had made and
were making, the privations they had
herosm Of their defenders.
If anything can be more regrettable than
Mr.. Kent's remarks concerning England
and France, to whom the world owes a
debt beyond all appraisal, and the alleged
frame of mind of their governments con-
cerning America it is what he says about
Italy.
Italy might have stood aside from the
great conflict, and by bargaining secured
from Austria nearly everything she meant
to obtain-without firing a shot. But, with
fine passion for freedom and right, she
chose the road Of daring and Of sacrifice
She chose to throw her sword into the
scale on the side of the cause Of justice
and humanity. She did SO not when the
. star of the Allies was in the ascendant.
! but at the moment when they had received
a severe setback through the disastrous de-
feat of the Russians, in the spring of 1915.
Insufhcently equipped and provided, she
fought valorously against the most for
midable difficulties, while her people suf-
fered untold hardships through lack o.
fuel and food. After the disaster o.
y Caporetto, due to causes for which LITTLE
responsibility attaches to her, she accom-
plished the wonderful feat of stopping th
invader when everything In his favor
Of holding on with grim determination, o
- - beating off his renewed attack last summe
Il and finally of utterly defeating him. He
" soldiers fought at the French front in
Il manner worthy of her comradeship in arm
= with the soldiers of France
- What 1t meant to the Allied cause L
"a have Italy on its side can be best appre
10 cated if we picture to ourselves wha
T. would have been the situation if Italy ha
IL sided with the Central Powers, or even /
e. she had merely been benevolentlv neutrs
ie toward those powers.
" In view of what Italy has done darec
~ and suffered for our common cause, It i:
more than deplorable that any American in
a responsible position should make himself
the medium for publishing insults against
III that great nation.
e. And without the slightest wish to re
is vve old controversies | add this:
OF For three terrible years the Allied ma
he tions fought and bled and sacrificed befor
ne America came to realize that their hgh
Is was our fight and that our place was b
re- their side. During those years we dre
us enormous wealth from their resources ds
pleted In the struggle for sacred caus
Oh Some things which, at the time. hurt the
40 deeply were said by us in the course
go Official pronouncements.
ry. We entered the war verv verv late
ch almost too late. Since enter}nc II Ameri
has conducted herself in manner
= home and in the field which measures
Of 70 the 1ull greatness OF her traditions
lie which we are justly proud, and which h
gained for US position OF the hlghe
to honor and of immense prestige and pow
ne 0inoHe 'He nations OIL the world