New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-29

pating therein But let us consider
what is meant by ths reliance upon
America. What can it signify IL not
that it is to the United States, and to
the United States alone. that the other
twenty-eight nations look for the bone
and snew, tho money, the munitions
and the men to sustain the entire or
ganization, not as an agency of peace,
but as an armed force?
a Telling Admission
"A few days ago a delegation Of
an organization which calls itself q
Society for the Prevention Of War
appealed to the Premier of Great
Britain to unite and use the powers
of the world in defense OF Poland,
Armenia and the Dardanelles. The
British Premier replied, according to
to the effect that, while the formation
of IAN international army would be
an ideal solution it could not be
accomplished because tho European
nations could not furnish the troops
and the United States had withdrawn
from cooperation, polite and diplo-
matte phrase and more exactly mean
ing. of course. that the Senate of the
| United States had not completed the
partial obligation assumed by the
President to do that very thing. that
is to furnish the troops
could a clearer indication of what
would have been expected of this
country as member of the league be
desired? Hardly. Some, too, think,
or say they think. that this extra
ordinary service should be rendered.
! do not agree with them. but. assum-
ing that they are right, l venture to
say that nothing stands in the way
of performance The President has
war, and to confer upon him specific
authority TO raise armies for the pro-
lection of the powers, which though
recently associated with. are still
foreign to our own republic.
Not To BE Anticipated
at is reasonably safe to assume
however, that the President will not
pursue this course Fortunately, he is
under no compelling moral obligation
under the league to do so. His recent
unhappy experience, moreover, in ask
! ing Congress to send American boys to
police Armenia would hardly encour-
age repetition of request already
courteously but quite firmly declined
! by the Congress. What, then, in like
circumstances, would be the answer of
the British Premier himself? One does
not have far to seek this available ad
vice. In his own words, addressing a
meeting of the Coalition liberals on
August 10 last, according to the press
reports, he said:
"'When the terrible question of
peace or war has to be decided, our
first duty as government is to the
people, who trust US not to commit
hni tn c i q al
venture Nothing but the most i'm
perative call of national honor, national
safety and national freedom can Justify
war Before this country is committed
to it, even in the most limited form,
we must be satisfied that these are in
peril.
81 quote these telling words, my
countrymen, with the utmost satisfac-
ton, because with one amendment they
express to nicely my own position.
take it for granted that the Prime
Minister meant to include in treasure
the greatest treasure of all, but, for
myself, | should leave nothing to be
inferred. Foremost and above all else
to be safeguarded by those of us who
hold the trust of the people, it goes
without saying, but cannot be too Of
ten repeated, is the manhood of the
nation. American boys are not born
to be made the sacrifices of war ex-
ccpt when it is clearly and unmistak-
ably in defense of their country.
Will Not Misuse Power
"Now, it may appear to you that
have been speaking chiefly in the mega
tive. | make the admission. What is
more, | might continue to do so almost
indefinitely without disadvantage to
our cause. SO many things have been
done by the present expiring Admins
tration that no power on earth could
! induce me to do, that | cannot even
attempt to recount them. | may remark
casually, however, that if | should be,
as fully expect to be. elected Presi-
dent Of this just and honorable Re-
public, | will not empower an AS
sistant Secretary of the Navy to draft
a constitution for helpless neighbors in
the West Indies and jam it down their
threats at the point of bayonets borne
I by United States marines. We have
higher service for our gallant marines
than that. Nor will | misuse the power
of the Executive to cover with a veil
of secrecy repeated acts of urwar-
rantcd interference in domestic affairs
of the little republics of the Western
Hemisphere, such as in the last few
/ years have not only made enemies of
those who should be our friends, but
have rightfully discredited our coun-
try as their trusted neighbor.
Will Submit to No Wrong
"On the other hama, I will not or
shall not, as you prefer, submit to any
wrong against any American citizen,
with respect to eifer his life or his
! property, by any government This
statement is made in all solemnity,
with enmity for none and friendship
tor all. If it particularly applies to
Mexico, the application has been d.
rectcd by the robbery and murder of
hundreds of our own people in that
unhappy country, who we're lawfully
there and were entitled to protection.
One must admit that these outrages
upon Americans are largely the consc-
/ quences of the wiggling and webbing,
the supne waiting Of our own govern
ment, though the admission neither
helps the hurt, nor gives the hope of
security for the future while the pres
ent Administration remains in power.
or when one in complete accord sue
ceeds it,
"This adnonition is not directed ex
! clusively toward our next door neigh
Dor to whom we would gladly hold forth
a helping hand, and whom primarily,
certainly in preference to far-off peo-
! pies in Europe Asia and Africa + ia