New Britain herald., 1914-08-18
ISSUES WARNING TO
 AMERICAN CITIZENS
PartiSansh'p May Cause Breach Of
 Neutrality, Says Wilson.

washington, Aug. S.-AddreSSlng the American people, President Will son today issued a statement in con- nection with the European war, warn ing citizens of the United States against that deepest, most subtle, most essential breach of neutrality which may spring out of partisanship, out of passionately taking sides"
 The presidents statement follows: My fellow countrymen:
 II suppose that every thoughtful man in America has asked himself during the last troubled weeks, what influence the European war may exert upon the United States, and I take the liberty of addressing a few words to you in order to point out that it is entirely within our own choice what it's effects upon us will be and to urge very earnestly upon you the sort of speech and conduct which will best safeguard the nation against dis tress and disaster.
 Depends on Citizens.
 "The effect of. the war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do. Every man who really loves America will act and speak ins<the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of inn partiality and fairness and friendli- ness to all concerned. The spirit of the nation in this critical matter will be determined largely by what in dividuals and society and those gath cred in public meetings do and say, upon what newspapers and magazines contain, upon what our ministers ut ter in their pulpits and men proclaim as their opinions on the streets.
 'The people of the United States are drawn from many nations and chiefly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that there should be the utmost variety of sym pathy and desire among them with regard to the issues and circum- stances of the conflict. Some will wish one nation, others another, to succeed in the momentenous III struggle. It will be easy to excite passion and difficult to alay 1t. Those responsible for exciting will assume a heavy re- sponsibility, for no less a thing than that the people of the United States whose love of their country and whose loyalty to it's government should unite them as Americans all, bound in honor and affection to think first of her and her interests, may be di- vided into camps of hostile opinions, tho against each 'other, involved in the war itself in impulse and opinion, f. not in action. Such diversions amongst us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of the proper per formance of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one people hold
 
 partial mediation and speak the coun- sels of peace and accommodation, not as partisan, but as friend.
 Solemn Word of Warning.
 1T venture, therefore, my fellow countrymen, to speak a solemn word of warning to you against that deep est, most subtle, most essential breach Of neutrality which may spring out of partisanship, out of passionately talk ing sides. The United States must be neutral in fact as we'll as in name during these days that are to try mems souls. We must be impartial in thought as well as action, must put a curb upon our sentiments as we'll as upon every transaction that might be construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before another.
 My thought is of America. l am speaking, 1 feel sure, the earnest wish and purpose of every thoughtful American that this great country of ours, which is, of course, the first in our thoughts and in our hearts, should show herself in this time of peculiar trial a nation fit beyond others to exhibit the fine poise of judgment, the dignity of self-control, the. efficiency of dis- passionate action, nation that neith- CT sits in judgment upon others nor is disturbed in her own, counsels and which keeps herself fit and free to do what is honest and disinterested and truly serviceable for the peace of the world.
 Shall we not resolve to put upon ourselves the restraint which will bring to our people the happiness and the great and lasting influence for peace we covet for them?''