LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
AMERICA AND THE WAR.
[To ran Enron or ma "Sreernrox."]
Sia,—Jest after the crime of the Lusitania; and before the publication of the American Note of protest to Germany, I sent to Free ident Wilson, in the exercise of the inalienable right of an American citizen, however humble, to communicate his views to those in authority above him, however exalted, the following telegram :— "Southampton, New York.
May 12th, 1915. To the PRESIDENT OP TYPE UNITED STATES,
Washington, D.C.
I respectfully submit that in the interest of the future peaceful development of our own country and of the world at large it is the paramount duty of the United States to immediately assist the Allies, by every means in our power, to crush the military spirit of Germany as manifest in the crimes of Belgium and of the .Lusitania: If war be wise and necessary to obtain that end then let us have war, to be undertaken, however, only as the result of a deliberate and far-reaching permanent policy, and not in a spirit of passion or revenge."
In view of the somewhat perplexing problem involved, I now write to you to ask if in your judgment, or in that of any of your correspondents who may be competent and willing to express an opinion, the United States could be of more service to the cause of the Allies by remaining, if possible, neutral, or by openly espousing their cause by what would necessarily become an offensive and defensive alliance against the Teutonic menace. The enclosed clipping, taken from the New York Times of June 3rd, expresses in poetic form precisely my own views.—I am, Sir, ike., SAMUEL L. Renersie. Southampton, Long Island, New York, Tune 4th.
"To Tau ALENSETT.
Lord God, we pray for peace! We lift our plea
That to these shores the red tide shall not roll, Yet first we ask this greater boon of Thee—
This greater boon, still dearer to our soul: That peace shall not be ours if peace be base; That ease shall not be ours if ease be shame; That Thou wilt teach us, if we must, to face
The wrath and wrack, the fury and the flame. Point us the way of service, mighty Lord!
Make us to see the high thing we must do, And if, to serve, we needs must bear the sword,
Nerve heart and arm to see the dread task through. Dear God, we pray for peace, but first we pray That this, our country, loved by us so well, Shall not from duty turn her face away— Shall not lose hope of Heaven for fear of Hell. H. S." [Undoubtedly the cause of Germany would be deeply injured and the cause of the Allies greatly helped if America were to go to war with Germany. It would be uncandid to pretend that American aid would not be welcome from the military, the moral, and the material point of view. At the same time, all Englishmen, Scotsmen, and Irishmen who have any sense of chivalry dislike the thought of dragging in America, and would prefer, if possible, to see her remain at peace. If, however, the question is pressed in the form, "What would you urge America to do if you were an American ?" and is answered honestly by us, there can only be one answer "Refuse to be neutral on a moral issue. Refuse to say that you can balance between right and wrong."—ED. Spectator.]
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