New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-19
PRESIDENT URGES
CALM ON NATION
Asks Public to Refrain
from Partisan Acts or
UtteranCeS.
INTENT ON KEEPING
u. S. OUT OF CONFLICT
Will Not Take Issue in Far East
Mann Sounds Warming
in House.

From Ir. Tribune Bureau
Washington, Aug. 49, An urgent al
real 20 Americans 90 be calm and J.
train from acts and uttcrances While
might be mieconstrucd by nations ~
Volyed iu the European war was mao
hl the President to-day. M the shaT
Of proclamation TO "liy fellow countr!
men"
The appeal made by the President
regarded as one OF The most remari
able utterarces Chief Executive Z
the nation has ever addressed TO IN
American people. and one likely to has
q farreachng effect upon this cour
try's diplomatic relations with 9th.
powers.
The Presidents proclamation is q
follows:
My fellow countrymcn:
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 take the liberty Of address
ing a few words 10 you in order
to point out that III IS entirely
within our own choice what its
effects upon US will be ana 10 urge
very earnestly upon you the sort
OF speech and conduct which Will
best safeguard The nation against
distress and disaster.
The effect Of the war upon the
United States will depend upon
what American citizens say and do.
Every man who really loves Amer
lea will act and speak In the true
spirit Of neutrality, which is the
spirit OF impsrtiality and fairness
and fYcndliacss to all concerned.
The spirit Of the nation i'm this
critical matter will be determined
largely by what individuals and
society and those gathered m pub
lie meetings do and say. upon what
newspapers and magazines contain,
upon what our ministers utter M
their pulpits and men proclaim as
their opinions ON tho streets.
The people OF the United states
are drawn from many nations, and
chiefly from the nations now at
war. II is natural and inevitable
that there should be the utmost
variety Of sympathy and desire
among them with regard TO the IS
sues and circumstances Of the con
Aict. Some will wish one nation.
others another, 10 succeed IN the
momcntous struggle. Il will he
easy 10 excite passion and difficult
10 allay IL. Those responsible for
exciting il viii assume q heavy re-
sponsibilitv responsibility for no
less a thing than that the people
Of the United States whose love OF
their country and whose loyalty 20
it's government should unite them
As Americans all. bound IN honor
and affection 10 think first Of her
and her interests, may be divided
i'm camps Of hostile opinions, hot
against each other. involved iu the
war itself IN impulse and opinion
If not in action.
Such diversions among ms
would be fatal to our peace OF
mind and might seriously stand IN
the way Of proper performance OF
our duty a5 the one great nation
Al peace. the one people holding
itself ready IN play p part Of i'm
martial mediation and speak the
counsels of peace and accommoda-
ton. not az q partisan but as
friend.
/ venture. therefore. my fellow
countrymon. 10 speak solemn
word If warning 10 YOU against
that deenest. most subtle. most c.
ecntial breach Of neutrality which
roy priuc out Of partisanship.
cut of rassionatcly taking sides.
The United Sta,cs must be neutral
I'm fact az we'll ss m name during
these days that arc 70 try mems
souls. We must be impartial M
thought a. we'll a. action, must put
curb upon our sentiments as we'll
AZ upon every transaction that
mirht be construed as a preference
of one party TO the struggle before
another.
Nv thought is Of America. ! am
epeakjng. fell sure. the earnest
wish and purpose Of every thought
ful American that this great coun-
trv of ours. which is. Of course, the
first iu our thoughts and in our
hearts. should show herself in this
time OF peculiar trial n nation m
beyond others to exhibit the fire
poise of undisturbed Judgment.
the dignity Of self-control, the CHI
cheney Of dispassionate action.
nation that neither sits IN jude-
mcnt upon others nor IS disturbed
in her own counscls, and which
keeps herself fit and free 10 do
what is honest and disinterested
and truly scrviceable for the peace
cf the world
Shall we not resolve 10 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?
Prior 10 the issuance Of the stat'
mont officials close to the Presider
made 1t clear that Nr. Wilson wa
fully determined TO take no part IN III
DISPUTE between Japan and German
over the situation in the Far Eas