LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
MAY NOT PRIDE BE CARRIED TOO FAR
[To was Eorroa 07 woo "Brecrewoz..1
Silk—As an American who wishes with all his soul, not merely for the defeat of Germany, but for her ruin as a nation, I deeply regret the appearance of your article. "A Great Danger," the tendency of which is to increase the chances of Germany's victory. I ignore here the question whether America's attitude in regard to the • Dacia' is justifiable. Personally, I incline to the belief that it is not At any rate, let no assume that it is not. Let ns assume even that America's general attitude in this war is that of a pirate who means to extort the utmost from the participants in their• hour of trial. Is it well, is that case, for Grat Britain to endanger her purpose, " the destruction of German military power," by driving or tempting America to definite support of that power P You say: " We shall think nothing of the risks we run, but ... hold on to our purpose with the utmost. tenacity." But suppose that the risk you run is the risk of failing in your purpose P Will not that risk be vastly increased if America joins forces with Germany P To prevent that, would it not be wise to accept temporary humiliation at America's hands, resolved, nevertheless, to take ample vengeance in the future? In fact, you more than hint that it may be madness to do otherwise ? Why, then, raise folly to a virtue? Why glory in the "fact," as you call it, that Great Britain, in her present temper, is likely to rush madly to her own destruction P It will not be disputed, I think, that America, by her geographical situation, by her endless resources, by her naval strength, by her ability to rise to an emergency, and by her well-established fighting quality, ranks to-day as one of the most formidable Powers in the world. In the present contest such a Power can turn the scale. As matters now stand, the Allies' chances of victory are in the ratio of at least ten to one. If America were to enter the lists on Germany's side the situation would be almost reversed ; Germany's chances of victory would be at least five to one. America's Navy would keep Great Britain so busy that Germany in the meantime could make of England what she has made of Belgium. You remind the American Government that "we are fighting for our very life as a nation." Why, then, take the course that points to almost certain death ? Why be a madman to satisfy pride ?
In my opinion, the prospect of war between America and Great Britain is so remote as to be negligible. But few things could do more to bring it on than the appearance of such an article as yours. I do not share your belief that Great Britain will lack at this juncture a restraining voice comparable to that of Lincoln half a century ago. But it is only too obvious, alas ! that none such is to be looked for in the office of the
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