" This is very unjust. Our
history proves that we have never acted on this principle. We have never
got or attempted to get a world empire such as England has won, all of
which, with a very few exceptions, by might, by war, and by conquest.
The German writers who have expounded this doctrine have only shown how
the large world empires of England and France were welded together, what
means have been adopted for that purpose, and against what sort of
political doctrines we must beware.
Our Sympathy for the Under Dog.
As Dr. Eliot makes his remarks for the benefit of his German confreres,
may I be permitted to say to them what I consider the reason for the
American attitude? There is, in the first place, the ethical side.
Americans have a very strong sense of generosity, and are, as a rule,
very good sports. They think Belgium a small nation, brutally attacked
by a much bigger fellow; they feel that the little man stands up bravely
and gamely, and fights for all he is worth. Such a situation will always
command American sympathy and antagonism against the stronger. Then
there is the business side. Americans feel that this war is endangering
their political and commercial interests, so they are naturally angry
against the people who, they believe, have brought the war about.
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