Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-08-26
PRESIDENT MAKES
NEW PLEA TO U. s.
Americans Are Warned Against
Taking Sides"
MAY PROVE PERIL TO U. S.
Final Effect of European War on This
Country Rests within Ourselves"
Says Nations Executive
Urges Self-control.

Urges Self-controI.
Washington, Aug. 20.-President
Wilson addressed a communication to
the American people on Tuesday, ask
ing them to observe strict neutrality
in speech and conduct in the present
European conflict and to act in spir-
it Of impartiality and fairness and
friendliness to all concerned. His
statement says:
my fellow countrymen:
Il suppose that every thoughtful
man in America has asked himself
during these last troubled weeks what
influence the European war may exert
upon the United States, and take
the liberty of addressing few words
to you in order to point out that it is
entirely within our own choice what
its 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 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 America will
act and speak In the true spirit OF
neutrality which is the spirit OF I'M
partiality and fairness and fr1endll-
ness to all concerned The spirit OF
the nation in this critical matter will
be determined largely by what indi-
viduals and society and those gathered
in public meetings do and say, upon
| what newspapers and magazines con-
tain, upon what ministers utter In
their pulpits and men proclaim their
opinions on the street.
"The people of the United States are
drawn from many nations and chiefly
| from the nations now at war. 1t is
| natural and inevitable that there
should be utmost variety Of sympathy
and desire among them with regard to
| the issues and circumstances or the
conflict. Some will wish one nation,
| others another to succeed in this mo-
mentous struggle.
ct will be easy to excite passion
and difficult to allay it. Those re-
sponsible for exciting it will assume
heavy responsibility, responsibility TOT
no less a thing than that the people OF
| the United States, whose love OF the
country and whose loyalty to its gov
eminent should unite them as Ameri-
/ cans all, bound in honor and affection
to think first Of her and her interests.
may be divided in camps OF hostile
| opinion, not against each other, IN
yolved in the war itself in impulse and
opinion if not in action. Such divisions
among us would be fatal to our peace
of mind and might seriously stand IN
| the way of the proper performance OF
/ our duty as the one great nation at
peace. the one people. holding itself
ready to play a part of impartial me-
diation and speak the counsels OF
peace and accommodation, not as
partisan, but as friend.
Il venture @kherefore, my fellow
countrymen, to#speak a solemn word
of warning to you against the deep
est. most subtle, most essential breach
of neutrality which may spring out OF
craftsmanship out of passionately taxing
sides. The United States must be
neutral in fact as well as in name dur
ing these days that are to try mems
souls. We must be impartial in
thought as we'll as in action; must put
a curb on our sentiments as well as
i unon transaction that might be con-
| strued as a preference of one party to
/ the struggle before another.
my thought is of America. am
speaking. l feel sure, the earnest wish
and purpose of every thoughtful Amer
lean 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 nation fit beyond others to ex-
hibit the fine poise OF undisturDed
Judgment, the dignity OF self-controi,
the efficiency of dispassionate action,
a nation that neither sits In Judgment
mon others nor is disturbed In her
own councils and which keeps hersen
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 restraints which will
bring to our people the happiness ana
| the great and lasting influence for
peace we covet for them.
House Passes Ship Registry Bill.