New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-31
Moral Lapses

/ ne lines Tolls OH us IoliS uS do
q sweet morsel the words Of Robert
Donald, a we'll known British editor,
who at Halifax the other day re-
preached the United States for a
moral lapse" from the exalted mood
of the uplifting days Of the war.
The phrase pleases the palate Of our
neighbor, and forthwith, as a news
paper of advertised political indie
pendence, it puts it to partisan use.
let us concede that the reproach
is justified-that this country has
fallen away from allegiance to
spiritualities that we're vivid when
the boys were pouring over the seas.
But, alas! it is also to be sadly re-
corded that America has no monop-
oily of backsliding.
There is Great Britain, which
seems inclined to welcome the Soviet
tyranny into world fellowship. Who
would have believed that within two
years Great Britain would even con-
slider such action, and that her lead
ing public men would openly admit
that they do so because the British
people are unwilling to sacrifice
more? Who would have dreamed
that the fighters for democracy in
Russia would be denied support?
Who, on Armistice Day, foresaw
that the Russian masses would be
abandoned to the tender mercies of
the 100000 persons who constitute
Russia's Communist party and clus-
ter about a new car as the Black
Hundred did about the old?
Fc' the "moral lapse" our people
can offer excuses, even though our
government cannot. They we're I'M
able to recall their supposed spokes-
man as he proceeded, without con-
sultation, to substitute his will for
theirs. When he announced MS fixed
purpose to allow no way but his way
there was surely some excuse for
interposing a veto.
Touching negotiations with for
cign nations, we have a four-year
dsapot. There is no effective method
of getting rid Of his obstruction. The
intimation that the American people
have ever refused to enter the league
IS to be firmly repealed. The people
have wanted, and all the evidence is
that they still want, to join the
league; but the President won't let
them.
The habit Of interpreting another
nation in terms of ones own seems
ineradicable. So in Great Britain it
is assumed that, inasmuch as this
country is democracy, its execu-
tive is currently responsive to pop
ular instruction, even as a British
prime minister is. This is not true.
It would be fortunate if British edi-
tors had a better understanding of
how our government functions-par-
ticularly of how for a considerable
time it may disregard the popular
viii. We're there such understand
ing much of the misunderstanding
uhieh exists abroad would be re-
moved.
While on this side Mr.. Donald will
nave opportunities to familiarize
himself with the peculiarities of
American institutions. If he does
not neglect them he Will be little
likely to continue to bring against
the American people as whole a
charge applicable to only one man
He will, also, let US hope, be led to
avoid the mistake of exaggeratine
the Importance of American official
utterances. These often totally are
at odds with prevailing American
pupllc opinion. If the representa-.
tlves of other countries had not ac.
cepted at face value the Presidents
theory that he was America, anc
that as he thought America neces
sarily thought, it is probable Mr.
Donald would not now have any
cause to complain. But this non
sens still has currency, and conse
quently the poor American people
who are void of otfense, for they
have had no chance to commit one
are lectured for their deficiencies.