The Alaska daily empire., 1914-08-18
SIT TIGHT! DON'T
 ROCK THE BOAT

Sit tight! Don't rock the boat! That's the watchword today. That's the first duty of every American at this moment. That's what this coun' try needs to keep it straight and safe and true to it's course-absolutely all it needs.
 Business conditions are sound. We have one of the greatest grain crops in history. Its value has already greatly advanced. We have a sound financial system, backed by the great est store of gold in the world. Our banks are solid, safe There is noth' ing the matter with the United States,
 War will mean an unprecedented demand for supplies. Experts declare American business will feel great impetus. While other Nations de. stroy, this country will produce. While other Nations are armed camps, this country will be a farm, factory, forge. Trade extension is predicted in all directions. The i'm. mediate future is plain.
 The national administration Is act ing wisely. promptly. The sum of S5OO, 100000 is available, under the Aldrich.Vreeland act, for an emer- gency. The organization of the re- serve board will soon be complete. This will enable us to deal more eff. fectively With the outflow of gold. Plans are perfecting to permit Ameri- can registry of foreign vessels. This will protect and develop our com merce.
 We are preparing to maintain strict neutrality. Questions may arise with foreign nations as to what constitutes contraband Such questions cannot conceivably involve us in difficulties. They will be settled by the ordinary processes. The general principles of neutrality and neutral commerce are plain. The United States will adhere vigorously to them. Friendly inter- course. as far as circumstances per init, will be it's rule and its procedure.
 Stock exchanges have closed - a wise precaution. This country cannot be the dumping ground of the whole body of securities that war-mad Europe is anxious to convert into money. The closing is temporary. Elsewhere there is no prospect of in. reference with the orderly processes of American business. Stable con- ditions are here. All we have to do is to keep them stable.
 The administration has decided to appeal officially to the public to help maintain existing satisfactory condi- tions. The public cannot fail to re- spond. The only danger is one which it may create itself. It's course is simple. All 1t has to do is to sit tight, to do nothing to disrupt the fortunate condition in which this country hap oily finds itself.
 Don't rock the boat-that the cen. tral idea! The swell from the great battleship, Europe" will be felt. But it will not hurt us. It need not even break over the sides. There's nothing the matter with the boat that we are in. Straight and strong, well.seamed, well-caulked, well-timbered, with req sonable guidance it will bear us safe ly and prosperously through.
 Sit tight! Don't rock the boat! Keep its head we'll up against the sea! Don't let 1t get into the trough of the waves! Let every man realize that at this moment calm confidence and calm thankfulness are the first duty. They are absolutely justified by the favorable situation in which we find ourselves. They are the cer- tain guarantee of a continuance of those conditions. - Chicago Record. Herald.