Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-05-13
WILSON GIVES FIRST tNTlMATIon
or COURSE u. 9. WILL PuR-
SUE AS RESULT or THE
LusiTANiA DISASTER.
WOULD CONVINCE GERMANY
OF INJUSTICE TO MANKIND
Presidents Speech at Philadelphia
Epitomixsd 40 humanity First"
Makes Mo Direct Refer.
enecs to Traoedy--Rc-
marks Appiaudcd.

1.-THE example of America must be a
special example and must be an ex'
ample not merely Of peace because 1t
will not fight, but because peace 10 the
healing and oievating influence OF the
world, and strife 10 not"
There 10 such thing a. man be.
ING too proud to fight. There 10 such
Z thing 40 being 20 right that II does
not need TO convince others by force
that II ID right"
PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON,.
Philadelphia. May 12.--president
Wilson gave to q gathering OF 1000
recently naturallzed Americans the
first intimation Of what course the
United States government will pursue
In the situation resulting from the loss
OF more than h hundred lives ON the
British liner i4llsitania
He spoke by implication, but his
hearers interpreted his remarks as
meaning that while the United States
would remain at peace II would seek
to convince Germany OF the injustice
to mankind of the tragedy OF last Fri
day.
America" said the President, must
have the consciousness that on all
sides II touches elbows and touches
hearts with all nations OF mankind.
The example OF America must be a
special example and must be an ex-
ample not merely OF peace because 1t
will not fight. but because peace Ii the
healing and elevating influence of the
world and strife Ia not.
There In such thing az man
being too proud to fight. There la
such thing as being so right that
II does not need to convince others
by force that IL In right"
These remarks precipitated tumult
Of applause and patriotic enthusiasm
attended by waving OF thousands of
small American flags, The President
made no direct reference to the Lusi.
tania tragedy. but the audience did not
hesitate to read the implication of his
statement.
Humanity Comes First.
The sentiment expressed In the
Presidents speech was epitomized
later by one of his closest advisers
AZ humanity first" While 1t had not
vet been determined, he said. exactly
what steps would be taken by the
United States In the present crisis tho
Idea uppermast In tho Presidents
mind was to show that whatever
course liz adopted no matter how Wig.
orous--it will have as its objective the
good OF humanity.
Speaks In German Accent.
Introduced by Mayor Blankenburg,
who spoke In distinctly German accent.
welcome and an appeal for single
allegiance to the United States, the
President carried forward the idea of
the welding OF foreign blood In the
makeup OF America by pointing out the
true goal OF right American citizen.
ship to be loyalty not to the country
OF ones birth. but the the land of ones
adoption.
While you bring" he said, "all
countries with you. YOU come with a
purpose OF leaving NIL other countries
behind you-~-hringing what Is best OF
their spirit. but not looking over your
shoulder or seeking to perpetaate what
you leave In them. would not Ger.
tainly he one who suggests that man
cease to love the place of his origin.
II Is one thins to love the place where
you We're born and another to dedicate
yourself to the place where You 60
You can't be an American Ii you think
OF yourselves In groups. America does
not consist OF groups. A man who con.
siders himself as belonging to a ma
tional group is not yet an American.
My advice to YOU is to think frs,
not only of America. but to think OF
humanity, and you do not love human
ity Ii You seek to divide humanity into
Jealous camps"