The complete severance of relations, diplomatic at first and later possibly economic as well, with the Turks and the Germans, would probably not cost us a man in battle nor any considerable treasure; for the moral effect of withdrawing even our formal approval of their conduct—­at least our passive acquiescence—­would be—­that the Germans would see that practically all the Liberal world stands against their system, and the war would end before we should need to or could put an army in the field.  The Liberal Germans are themselves beginning to see that it is not they, but the German system, that is the object of attack because it is the dangerous thing in the world.  Maximilian Harden presents this view in his Berlin paper.  He says in effect that Germany must get rid of its predatory feudalism.  That was all that was the matter with George III.

     Among the practical results of such action by us would, I believe,
     be the following: 

     1.  The early ending of the war and the saving of, perhaps, millions
     of lives and of incalculable treasure;

     2.  The establishment in Germany of some form of more liberal
     government;

     3.  A league to enforce peace, ready-made, under our guidance—­i.e.,
     the Allies and ourselves;

     4.  The sympathetic cooeperation and the moral force of every Allied
     Government in dealing with Mexico: 

     5.  The acceptance—­and even documentary approval—­of every Allied
     Government of the Monroe Doctrine;

6.  The warding off and no doubt the final prevention of danger from Japan, and, most of all, the impressive and memorable spectacle of our Great Democracy thus putting an end to this colossal crime, merely from the impulse and necessity to keep our own ideals and to lead the world right on.  We should do for Europe on a large scale essentially what we did for Cuba on a small scale and thereby usher in a new era in human history.

I write thus freely, Mr. President, because at no time can I write in any other way and because I am sure that all these things can quickly be brought to pass under your strong leadership.  The United States would stand, as no other nation has ever stood in the world—­predominant and unselfish—­on the highest ideals ever reached in human government.  It is a vision as splendid as the Holy Grael.  Nor have I a shadow of doubt of the eager and faithful following of our people, who would thereby reestablish once for all our weakened nationality.  We are made of the stuff that our Fathers were made of.

And I write this now for the additional reason that I am within sight of the early end of my service here.  When you called me I answered, not only because you did me great honour and laid a definite patriotic duty on me, but because also