The New York Times Current History of the European War, Vol. 1, January 9, 1915: What Americans Say to EuropeVarious
Philosophy
The New York Times Current History of the European War, Vol. 1, January 9, 1915: What Americans Say to Europe
Various
World War, 1914-1918
Knowing your reputation as a man and philanthropist, I can hardly
believe that your desire for a "not too victorious" Germany includes its
logical implication of a subjugated or uncompensated Belgium. But if
this be so, candor expects an avowal. Until you have made yourself clear
on the issue that most concerns your fellow-citizens they will remain in
doubt as to your whole moral attitude on the war. Does your pacificism
contemplate a German Belgium? I feel sure you will admit that no fairer
question could be set to any one who comments on the sequels of the war.
I am, most respectfully yours,
FRANK JEWETT MATHER, Jr.
Princeton University, Oct. 23, 1914.
The Eliot-Schiff Letters
_On Nov. 22_ THE NEW YORK TIMES _printed this interview with
Jacob H. Schiff on the European war reproduced above. Two days
later Dr. Charles W. Eliot, President Emeritus of Harvard, who
is an old friend of Mr. Schiff, wrote him a letter of comment
on THE TIMES interview. This letter resulted in considerable
correspondence between the two. At the time this
correspondence was penned there was not the least thought in
the mind of either of the writers of giving the letters to the
public. It was simply an interchange of ideas between men who
had long known each other. When they were convinced, however,
that publication might serve a useful purpose in shaping
public opinion, both Mr. Schiff and Dr. Eliot cordially
assented to their being printed._
Dr. Eliot to Mr. Schiff.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 24, 1914.
Dear Mr. Schiff: It was a great relief to me to read just now your
interview in THE NEW YORK TIMES of Nov. 22, for I have been afraid that
your judgment and mine, concerning the desirable outcome of this
horrible war, were very different. I now find that at many points they
coincide.
One of my strongest hopes is that one result of the war may be the
acceptance by the leading nations of the world of the precept or
law--there shall be no world empire for any single nation. If I
understand you correctly, you hold the same opinion. You wish neither
Germany nor England to possess world empire. You also look forward, as I
do, to some contract or agreement among the leading nations which shall
prevent competitive armaments. I entirely agree with you that it is in
the highest degree undesirable that this war should be prolonged to the
exhaustion of either side.
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