The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-08-19
WILSON SOUNDS A WARNING
BREACH OF NEUTRALITY May SPRING
FROM TAKING SIDES IN WAR.
j. s. FRIEND OF ALL.

Washington, Aug. 19.-Becausc nat
uralized Americans wEo come fiom
countries now at war have taken sides
in public discussions in the United
States Of the European war, President
Wilson issued statement warning
citizens against that deepest, most
subtle, most essential breach of neu-
trality which may spring out of par
tisanship, out OF passonately taking
sides"
The presidents statement follows:
MY Fellow COuntrymen: sup
pose that every thoughtful man in
America has asked himself during tie
last troubled weeks what influence
the European war may exert in the
United States, and | take the liberty
Of addressing few words to you in
order to point out that 1t is entirely
on us will be and to urge very earn
est!y upon yon the sort of speech and
conduct which will best safeguard the
nation against distress and disaster.
"The effect of the war on the United
States will depend on what American
citizens say and do Every man who
really loves America will act and
speak in the true spirit OF neutrality,
which is the spirit Of impartia.ity and
fairness and friendliness to all con-
cerned. The spirit of the nation in
this critical matter will be determ ned
largely by what individuals and soci
ETY. and those gathered in public meet
lngs do and say, on what newspapers
and magazines contain, On what our
ministers utter in their rulp.ts and
men proclaim as their opinions on the
streets.
People From Many Countries.
"The people of the United States are
drawn from many nations and chiefly
frdm the nations now at war. 1t Is
natural and inevitable that there
should be the utmost variety of sym
patly and desire amcng them With
regard to the issues and circumstances
Of the conflict. Some will wish one
nation, others another, to succeed I'M
the momcntous struggle.
"lt will be easy to excite passion
and difficult to allay it. Those respon.
sih!e for exciting it will assume a
heavy resi- onsibilityi resp visibility
for no less Il thing than that the peo
pie OF the United States whose love OF
tho country and whose loyalty to itsl
n a Ap1arinonS
al bound In honor and affection to|
think first Of it and its interests, may
be divided into camps Of hostile opin
ions, hot against each other, involved
in the war itself in impulse and op.n
ion, If not In action.
"Such divisions amongst us would
be fatal to our peace Of mind and
might seriously stand in the way of
the proper performance of our duty aa
the one great nation at peace, the one
people holding itself ready to play a
part of impartial mediation and speak
the counsels of peace and moderation,
not as partisan, but as friend.
Il 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 tax
ing sides. The United States must he
neutral in fact as well as in name
during these days that are to try
mems souls. We must be impal tial in
thought as we'll as in action. must put
a cub on our sentiments as well as on
every transaction that might be con
strued as a preference of one party to
the struggle before another
"Shall we not resolve to put on our
selves the restraint which will bring
to cur people the happiness and the
great lasting influence for peace We
rOvet for the m?"