The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-04-20
POSITION OF AMERICA
NOT MERE PETTY WISH
TO KEEP OUT OF FIGHT
Mastery of Self Far Greater
Achievement, Asserts Ma
tion Executive, Than Sue
cessfully Evading Involve
ment in Difficulties Of Other
Great Powers.

New York, Apnl O.--Presldent
Wilson IN an address nt the annual
luncheon Of the Associated Press
here this afternogE gave n definite
statement Of his iiea OF truc neu-
trality aud of the duties that deyolvc
upon Americas connection with the
European war. The president de-
clarcd that the neutrality of the
United states Was not a petty desire
20 Keep out Of trouble. because there
was something go much greater to do
than 60 fight. great distinction
he said, was coming t. the United
States-the distinction ~ n nation Of
self-controi and seif-mastery. He
said such a nation wns bound To play
an important part In adjusting the
affairs Of the world once the fight
ing Is ended.
I'VE have no hnmpcring nmbi-
tions," he declared. 1--WE do not want
foot of auybody's territory. Isn't
such nation bound 70 he free 20
serve the other nntions?"
The president was introduced by
presidcnt Frank y. Nnycs of the As
sociated Press and was greeted with
cheers.
II am deeply gratificd by tine gem
erous reception YOU have accorded
me-" he said. 1T makes me look
back with a touch OF regret TO for
mer occasions when I have stood in
this place and enjoyed greater
liberty than Il granted today. There
have becn times when / stood In this
spot and said what really thought
and pray God those days of indul-
gence may be accorded me again.
But | have come here today, of
course. somewhat restrained by a
sense of responsibility that | cannot
escnpo. For / take the Associated
Press very seriously. know the
enormous part that you play In the
affairs not only of this country but
Of the world You deal In the raw
material Of opinion and. II my con-
vic;ions have any validity. opinion
ultimately governs the world.
IT is therefore OF very serious
things that I think as face this
body Of men. ] do not think OF you.
however as members of the Associ-
ated Press. I do not think of YOU as
men Of different parties or OF differ
cnt racial derivations, or of different
religious denominations. I want 20
talk to you az 60 my fellow citizens
of the United States. For there are
serious things which, as fellow oiti-
zena, We ought 20 consider. The
times behind uG gentlemen. have
been difficult enough; the times be-
fore us are likely 10 be more diff
cult. because whatever may rs said
about the present condition Of the
worlds affairs, Il Is clear that thes
are drawing rapidly TO climax and
AT the climax tho test will come. not
only Of the nations engaged In th'
present colossal airugglo--it viii
come for them Of course. but th'
test viii come to us particularly
| DO you realize that, roughl,
speaking. We are the only great ma
tion nt present dlsengnged. an
not speaking, of course with dispar
agement ~ those great nations Il
Europe which are not parties 20 thl
present war. but / am thinking %
their close ncighhorhood 10 lt
II am thinking, however. thoi
lives much more than ours touch IN,
very heart and stun OF the business
whereas We have rolling between u
and those bitter days across the waite
three thousand miles OF cool and 81
lent ocean. out atmosphere Is no
yet charged with those disturbing Gle
ments which mus, be felt and mus
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