The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-04-23
PRESIDENT OUTLINES
DUTY OF NEUTRALITY
MUST REMAIN READY TO HELP
IN FUTURE.
AIOOfneSS From War Founded on True
Desires For World Service, Says
Wilson to Associated Press

Desires For World Service, Says
Wilson to Associated Press
New York, April 20.-President Viii
son today gave dehnite and clea-
statement of the neutrality guiding
his administration during the war ii
Europe. He chose the occasion o.
tee annual luncheon of the Associatec
Press for what he said he regarded
as a. statement Of graFest importance
to the American people.
The influence of the newspaper III
moulding public opinion, Mr.. Wilson
said, prompted him to make clear his
ideas of true neutrality and in doins
so to impress on his hearers the i'm
portance of adhering strictly to truth
fulness and honesty in the dissemina-
tion of the news.
Mr.. Wilson seemed to weigh each
word he uttered. The Importance ne
attached to mis- statement was reflected
in a request that no attempt be made
to parapGrase his speech or to give i
publicity until the official white house
stenographer had transcribed it in full
AS the only great nation not engage
in the war or suffering under the i'm
mediate influence of the war zone, Mr..
Wilson declared the United States
could anticipate a great distinction
when the aour for readjustmen-
should come, provided this natiol
should prove to the world its SELF
control and self-mastery. The pas.
had been difficult, ne pointed out, bu.
the future would be more difficult.
Not on Judgment Seat.
America, the president said, never
would attempt to sit in Judgment OF.
another nation. No nation was fit ID
do tat, he added. But America, free
from hampering ambitions as worlt
power, free of lust for TERRITORY,
calm, cool and without self-interess,
must be appealed to to assist in tn
reconstructive processes Of peace.
The neutrality of the United States,
Mr.. Wilson said, had higher basil
than petty desire to keep out G.
trouble.
There is somethingso much great
er to do T. an fight" he said. Let
think of America before we think o.
Europe in order tdat America may b.
fit to be Europe's friend when tae
day of tested friendship comes. The
test of friendship is not sympathy witt
one side or the other, but getting read,
to t-elp both sides when the struggle
is over
The president was greeted with
cheers when he appeared at the lunch
con and constantly was interrupted by
applause and expressions of approval.
Hampered by Position.
81 am deeply gratifed by the gener-
Gus reception you have accorded me,
said Mr. Wilson. "It makes me look
back with a touch of regret to forme:
occasions when 1 Lave stood in this
place and enjoyed a greater liberty
than is granted me today. There have
been times when really thought and
pray God that those days Of indulgence
may be accorded me again.
"But I have come here today, O.
course, somewhat restrained by
sense of responsibility that I can no.
escape. For take the Associate
Press very seriously know the enor
nous part tnat you play in the al
fairs not only of this country, but o.
the world You deal in the raw ma
terial of opinion, and, if my convic-
tions have any validity, opinion ulti-
mately governs the world.
"It is, therefore, of very serious
things tat I think as I face this body
of men. do not think of you as men
of different parties or of differen,
racial derivations, or of different re-
Iigious denominations. I want to talk
to you as to my fellow citizens OF the
United States.
Worse in Front.
For there are serious things as
fellow citizens we ought to consider
The times behind US, gentlemen, have
been difficult enough, the times be-
fore us are likely to be more difficult
because, whatever may be said about
tie present condition of the worlds
affairs, it is clear that they are draw