Evening star., 1915-05-11
People Back Of President n
Crisis Laud His PhIla- Il
deIphia Speech.
EXPECT HIM TO BE FIRM :
IN DEALING WITH GERMANY
Hoosier City Populace Conservative,
But Patriotic-News Editorial
Reflects Opinion.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

By N. y. M MESSENGEH.
1ND1ANAPoLIs. May 1r-This city 81
profoundly stirred over the crisis pre-
sented by the Lusitania tragedy. Dur
ing the twenty-four hours I have been
here I have heard hardly anything else
discussed. Anybody familiar with In
dianapolis knows that a strong spirit
of conservatism prevails here. This 4.
not a hysterical population. Tho town
is notably STEADY" on all public ques-
tons.
But the feeling here is deep and un-
mista kabie. An apt comparison ~
presented hy the accounts appearing
in the morning papers here of the great
ovation given President Wilson IN
Philadelphia last night, of the tremen
dous crowds that met him there and
greeted him with apparently non-po-
litical enthusiasm. The same demon
stration would be made here, hut in
this city, as perhaps il was in Phila-
delphia. il would have the significance
that while the populace was with tho
President and had confidence in him.
the very volume of the demonstration
meant that the people expect and de-
mand vigorous action.
The plaudits of such 4 crowd would
voice an exhortation 20 decision and
vigor. No one here expects nor wants
war, but every one demands stern up
holding Of American rights in the war
zone and insistence upon the elemental
rights of humanity.
disappointment voiced over the stand
taken by Germany in the official note TO
the State Department is rapidly giving
way to resentment, as reading and dis
cussion of its text CONSTITUTES Germany
as forestalling protest from the United
states by defending the torpedoing of
the Lusitania
outcry Against DR.. Dernberg.
Dr. Dernberg is quoted in dispatches
from the east as upholding the action of
his government, and there is loud outcry
against him here. His speeches and in
terviews since the tragedy occurred have
served to increase materially the feeling
in this section against Germany.
The confidence which is expressed in the
Presidents wisdom. judgment and firm
ness is pronounced in this city. Satisfac-
that he is handling the situation largely
upon his own responsibility.
Furthermore, IL is felt here that this
situation does not POSSESS elements or
not brook the application of such
policy to present conditions.
While public sentiment here is back
of the President up to this time. as
solid as the Washington Monument,
any program of temporizing or back
ing and filling or indication of ma
tional timidity would cause revulsion
of feeling which would he equivalent
to the Washington Monument falling
upon the heads of the administration
Such is the feeling here, inter-
preted in an impartial and dispas-
sionate way and submitted merely 40
the signs of the times for information
of the readers of The Star who may bs
interested in knowing how one part
of the country is thinking.
Indianapolis News Position.
The Indianapolis News. which is re-
garded as representative of progressive
and the best independent thought of this
state, says in the editorial column this
afternoon:
THE speech of President Wilson, deliv-
cred last night in Philadelphia before
1000 newly naturalized citizens of the
United States, will, we are sure, make a
deep impression on the country.
1T is not only a plea for whole
hearted loyalty to American principles
and ideals. but also a solemn appeal
to the moral sense of the world. to all
that is best in human nature. Even in
the midst of war and pa ssion, even in
nations that seem to be ruled almost
wholly by the law of force, the noble
words spoken by the President of the
United States ought to reach some con-
science. No doubt some people both
in this country and abroad. will con-
strue such love of peace as evidence
of weakness and even cowardice But
no man who knows what America is.
and what it stands for, will take that
view.
1.-The example of America says the
President, must be a special example,
Is it not true? There is no country in
the world that has been SO blessed as
this. and. therefore. none that has
heavier responsibilities.
This land is. too. pre-eminently. the
land of the average man. both ruled by
him and dedicated to his services. If
1t is to be true to its mission il must
be true to him-the world over
Lauds the President.
TT is happy thing for us that We
have a President who could. at such
time as this. speak Mr. Wilson
spoke last night.
1T cannot be denied that certain men
mainly visitors from other lands
have sought to divide our people along
national lines. We trust that they will
feel the rebuke in the Presidents
words, which is none the less pointed
for the calmness with which it was de-
livered.
We sometimes. in our cynicism. think
that there is nothing to be said on the
subject Of patriotism, but no one can
read the speech of the President with
out feeling that he made the old sub
tect very much alive His patriotism
is not that Of the boastful sort, but
rather the patriotism OF conservation
Of the noblest ideas in government
to the exalted mission and destiny OF
this nation