The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-08-18
Be CAREFUL
OF YOUR TALK
Americans Warned by Pres
dent Wilson Not to Take
Sides in This
War.
STRICT TRALITY
Effect Of the War Upon the United
States Will Depend Upon
Our Talk and
Actions.

united Pf0SS Leased wire SerVlCe.J
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-Address-
ing "my countrymen," President VIII
son today Issued long statement
calling upon citizens Of tho United
States to eonfine their speech to the
spirit Of strict neutraIIty.-whIch he
defined az the spirit Of lmpartlaIity
and fairness-in the European war
situation.
The presidents statement follows:
''My fellow countrymen: suppose
that every thoughtful man In America
has asked himself during these last
troubled weeks what Influence the
European war may exert upon tho
United States and take the liberty
Of addressing few words to you In
order to point out that it ls entirely
within our choice what It's effects up
on US will be and to urge very earn
estIy upon you the sort Of speech and
nation against distress and disaster.
"The effect OF war upon the Unit
ed States will depend upon what
American citizens say and do. Every
man who really loves America will
act and speak in tho true spirit Of
neutrality which 10 the spirit Of i'm
partlality 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.
What newspaper and magazines con-
tain, upon what ministers utter In
their puIpits, and men proclaim AZ
their opinions upon the street.
"The people Of the United States
are drawn from many nations and
| chiefly from the nations at war. II Is
natural and inevitable that there
should be the utmost variety Of SYM
pathy and desire among them with re-
gard to the Issues and circumstances
of the conflict. Some will wish one
nation, others another, to succeed In
the momentous struggle. Il would be
easy to excite passion and difficult to
aIIay it. Those responsible for excIt-
ing 1t, Will assume heavy respons-
| ibiiity, responsibility for no less a
thing than that tho people Of the Unit
ed States whose love Of their country
and whose loyalty to its government
should unite them as Americans all
! bound In honor and affection, to
think first of her and her interests
may be divided in camps of hostile
opinion, In impulse and opinion II not
| in action. Such division amongst US
will be fatal to our peace of mind and
| might seriously stand in the way OF
proper performance OF our duty as
| the one great nation at peace; the one
people holding itself ready to play a
part of impartial mediation and cpeak
the counseIs of peace and accommo-
dation, not as partisan but as a
friend.
"a venture therefore my fellow
countrymen to speak a solemn word
of warning to you. 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 we'll as In action, must
put a curb upon our sentiments az
well as upon every transaction that
might be construed az a preference Of
! one party to the struggle before an
other.
"My thought is Of America. am
| speaking, ! feel sure, the earnest
wish and purpose of every thoughtful
American that this great country Of
ours which on the other hand is first
in our thoughts should show herself
this time fit beyond all others to ex-
hibit fine poise, undisturbed Judgment,
the dignity Of self control, the eff
cheney Of dispassionate action; a ma.
ton that neither sits In Judgment up
on others or 10 disturbed in her own
councils and which keeps herself fiji
and free to do what is honest and dis
! interested and truly serviceable for
the peace Of the world.