The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-04-28
MADE EARNEST PLEA
WILSON TALKS TO MEMBERS OF As
SOQATED PRESS
FOR TRUE NEUTRALITY

President Wilson Pleads for Impair
tial Neutrality Which Springs
From Sympathy for All Mankind
Criticises Some ''News'-Says
Hardest Time is Yet Ahead.
President Wilson has given 2 deh-
mite and clear statement of the neu-
trality guiding his administration
during the war in Europe. He chose
the occasion of the annual luncheon
of the Associated Press at New York
for what he regarded as a statement
Of grayest importance to the Ameri-
can people.
The influence of the newspaper in
moulding public opinion, Mr.. Wilson
said. prompted him to make clear his
ideas of true neutrality and in doing
so to impress on his hearers the i'm
portance of adhering strictly to truth
fulness and honesty in the dissemina-
ton of the news.
Mr.. Wilson seemed to weigh each
word he uttered. The importance he
attached to his statement was re-
fected in request that no attempt
be made to paraphrase his speech or
to give it publicity until the official
White House stenographer had tran
scribed it in full.
As the only great nation not en-
gagged in tho war or suffering under
the. immediate influence of the war
zone, Mr.. Wilson declared, the United
States could anticipate great dis
tinction when the hour Of readjust-
ment should come, provided this na-
ton should prove to the world IT'S
self-control and self-mastery. The
past had been difficult, ne pointed
out, but the future would be more
difficult. >
America, the president said, never
would attempt to sit in judgment on
another nation No nation was fit to
do that, he added. But America, free
from hampering ambitions IS world
power, free of a lust for territory,
calm, cool and without self-interest,
must be appealed to to assist in the
reconstructive processes of peace.
The neutrality of the United States,
Mr.. Wilson said, had higher basis
than . petty desire to keep out OF
trouble.
The president was greeted with
cheers when he appeared at the
luncheon and constantly was inter
rupted by applause and expressions
of approval.
seI am deeply gratifed by the gem
erous reception you have accorded
me-" said Mr.. Wilson. ''1t makes me
look back with q touch of regret to
former occasions when / have stood
In this place and enjoyed greater
liberty than is granted me to-day:
There have been times when stood
in this spot and said what I really
thought and pray God that those
DAYS o. induloe oence may be accorded
me again.
-"But I have come here to-day, OF
course, somewhat restrained by a
sense OF responsibility that / can not
escape. For I take the Associated
Press very seriously. I know the
: enormous part that you play IN the
affairs not only of this country, but OF
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 that think as I face this body
OF men. I do not think Of you, how
ever, as members Of the Associated
Press. do not think of you as men
of different parties or Of different
racial derivations, or of different re-
hgious denominations. want to talk
to you as to my fellow citizens OF the
United States.
stFor 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
the present condition of the worlds
affairs. it is clear that they are draw
ing rapidly to climax, and at the
climax the test Will come, not only OF
the nations engaged in the present
colossal struggle-it will come for
them Of course-but the test will
come to US particularly.
.tDo you realize that, roughly
speaking, we are the only great ma
ton at present disengaged? I am not
speaking, Of course, with disparage-
ment Of the greater of those nations
in Europe which are not parties to
present war, but I am thinking of
their close neighborhood to it. I am
thinking how their lives, much more
than ours. touch the very heart and
stuff CT the business; whereas, we
have rolling between US and those
bitter days across the water 5000
miles Of cool and silent ocean.
'tOur atmosphere is not yet charged
with those disturbing elements which
must be felt and must permeate every
nation Of Europe. Therefore, is it
not likely that the nations of the
world will some day turn to us for
the cooler assessment Of the elements
engaged? am not thinking so pre-
posterous thought as that we should
sit in Judgment upon them. No ma
ton Is fit 20 sit in judgment upon any
other nation, but that we shall some
day have to assist in reconStructlng
the processes Of peace.
"Our resources are untouched; we
are more and more becoming by the
force Of circumstances the mediating
nation OF the world in respect OF its
finance. We must make up our minds
what are the best things to do, anc
what are the bes: ways to do them.
We must put our money, our energy,
our enthusiasm, our sympathy into
these things; and we must have our
judgments prepared and our spirits
chastened against the coming of that
day.
$50 that am not speaking in a
selfish spirit when I say that our
whole duty for the present, at any
rate, is summed up in this motto,
America first Let us think of Amer
lea before we think OF Europe. in or
der that America may be fit to be
Europe's friend when the day of test
ed friendship comes. The test OF
friendship is not now in sympathy
with one side or the other. but get
ting ready to help both sides when
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