Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-09-05
A WAR STATEMENT
President Urges Strict Neu-
traIity Upon All Citizens
of United States.
TO PREVENT ENHANCEMENT
Americans Are Called Upon to Refrain
From Showing Partisanship
in European Conflict

Washington, d. addressing the
American people, President Wilson
issued a statement in connection with
the European war, warning citizens
of the United States against that
deepest, most subtle, most essential
breach of neutrality which may spring
out of partisanship, out of passionate
ly taking Sides
The Presidents statement in part
follows:
My fellow countrymen:
Il 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 l take
the liberty of addressing a 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 on you the sort of
speech and conduct which will best
safeguard the nation against distress
and disaster
Responsibility With Citizens.
THE effect of the war upon the
United States will depend upon what
American citizens say and do. Every
and speak in the true spirit of neu-
trality, which is the spirit of impair
TALLY and fairness and friendliness
to all concerned.
THE people of the United States
are drawn from man. nations and
chiefly from the nations now at war.
Some will wish one nation, others an
other, to succeed in the momentous
struggle. 1t will be easy to excite pas
sion and difficult to allay it.
Il venture therefore, my fellow
countrymen, to speak 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
be neutral in fact as well 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 as well
as upon every transaction that might
be construed as a preference of one
party to the struggle before another.
Discussions Prompt Warning.
Shall we not resolve to 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?"
In the house, Republican Leader
Mann voiced sentiments similar to
those expressed by the President.
1T seems to me in this country at
this time that it is extremely import
ant that every one in official life, as
well as those in private life, resolve
firmly not to be carried away by any
hysterica1 emotion or any partisan
feeling for or against either side in
this conflict abroad, he said.
The President is understood to be
deeply concerned because naturalized
Americans, who came from countries
now at war have taken sides in pub
lie discussions in the United States
of the European war. On previous oc-
casions he has publicly spoken against
what he termed "hyphenated Ameri-
cans" declaring that citizens of the
United States should be Americans
only, not Irish-American, German
American, or other classifcations of
the sort. This feeling is understood
to have prompted the issuance of his
statement.