Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-21


 son today gave a definite and clear statement of the neutrality which is guiding his administration during the war in Europe. He chose the occa- sion of the annual luncheon of The Associated Press for what he said he regarded as a statement of gravest importance to the American people. The influence of the newspapers In moulding public opinion MT. Wilson said, prompted him to make clear his ideas of true neutrality and in doing so ii impress upon his hearers the i'm portance of adhering strictly to truth fulness and honesty the dissemina- tiOn of the news
 Seemed to Weigh Each Word.
 MT. Wilson seemed to weigh indi- vidually each word he utt<ed The importance he attached to his state ment was reflected in a request that no attempt be made to paraphrase his speech or to give it publicity until the official White House stenosrapher had transcribed it in full.
 As the only great nation not engag- ed in the war or suffering under the immediate influence of the war zone Mir. Wilson declared that a great dis toinction awaited the United States when the hour of readjustment should come, provided this nation should prove to the world it's self control and self mastery. The past had been diff ficult, he pointed out, but the future would be more difficult
 America Unhampered.
 America, the president said, never would attempt to sit in judgment upon another nation. No nation was fit to do that, he added But America, free from hampering ambitions as a world power, free of a lust for terri tory, calm. cool and without self-in- cf ha aI1nna1aH n n assist in the reconstruction processes of peace
 ssTlre neutrality of the United States" Mr. Wilson said, had a higher basis than a petty desire to keep out of trouble.
 ",There is something so much great CT than to do than fight,' he said.
 Let us think of America before we think of Europe, in order that America to be fit to be Europe's friend when the day of tested friendship comes. The test of friendship is not sympathy with one side or the other, but get ting ready to help both sides when the struggle is over.'
 The president, greeted with cheers when he appeared at the luncheon, constantly was interrupted by ap- plause and expressions of approval. Restrained by Responsibility. q am deeply gratified by the gen. erous reception you have accorded | me" he added. '1t makes me look back with a touch of regret to former occasions when I have stood in this place and enjoyed a greater liberty | than is granted me today. There have been times when I stood in this spot and said what I really thought; and pray God that those days of indul- gence may be accorded me again. But | I have come here today, of course, somewhat restrained by a sense of re- sponsibility that I cannot escape. For | I take the Associated Press very se- riously 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 material of opinion | and, if my convictions have any valid | ity, opinion ultimately governs the world.
 Talked to Fellow Citizens. Tt is therefore of very serious things that I think as I face this body l of men. I do not think of you. how ever, as members of the Associated ] Press. I do not think of you as men | of different parties or of different ra- | cial derivations, or of religious denom- l nations.
 T want to talk to you as to my fel- | low citizens of the United States. For there are serious things which. as fel- 1 low citizens, we ought to consider. 1 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 l ing rapidly to a 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 for us particularly.
 l
 Do you realize that, rouet'-- speak | ing, we are the only great nation at present disengaged? I am not speak | ing, of course, with disparagement of | the greater of those nations in Europe l which are not parties to the 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 of the bus | mess, whereas we have rolling between us andu, those bitter days across the water three thousand miles of cool | and silent ocean.
 No Disturbing Elements.
 "Our atmosphere is not yet charged with those disturbing clements which must be felt and must permeate every nation of Europe. Therefore. is it not unlikely that the nations of the world will some day turn to us for the cool CT assessment of the elements en- gagged? I am not now thinking SC preposterous a thought as that we should sit in judgment upon them no nation is fit to sit in judgment upon any other nation-but that we Shall some day have to assist in recon structing the processes of peace.
 Our Resources Untouched.
 "Our resources are untouched; we are more and more becoming by the force of circumstances the mediatine nation of the world in respect of iti l finance. We must make up our minds what are the best things to do ana