The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-10-12

~>~~N~
Accepted Principles OF International
Law.
WASHINGTON, Oct. u. - Presi-
dent Wilson sounded a keynote of the
next national campaign in a speech on
national utility delivered before the
Daughters of the American Revolution
at Continental hall yesterday after
noon.
"Ameriea first, was the phase with
which the President summarized the is
sue he presented.
81 look forward" said he, "to the
necessity in every political agitation in
the years which are Immediately at
hand of calling upon every man to de-
clare himself where he stands
To those who do not place America
first the President uttered challenge
that they stand forth on one side, dis
tinct from the great mass of their for
eign born fellow citizens who do not
overlook the ideal of America He de
elared that the number of our citizens
who "have not entertained with suf-
fcie9t intensity and affection the
American ideal' has been oyeresti-
mated.
Those who would seek to represent
them are very vocal. but they are not
very influential, - said Mr.. Wilson ~
would not be afraid upon the test Of
America first to take a census of all
the foreign born citizens Of tue Unite {
States, for l know that lne vast M.
iority of them came here because they
believed in America. and their belief
in America has made them better citi-
zens than some people who were born
in America.
81 am not deceived,' continued the
President, ''as to the balance of opin-
ion among the foreign born citizens of
the United States. but | am in a hurry
to have an opportunity to have a line
up and let the men who are thinking of
other countries stand on one side 49,
Biblically, it should be on tine left -
and all those that are for America
first, last and all the time on the 9th
err side. - -
The President gave warming that he
| purpOscd to administer discipline to
j these hyphenated Americans through
directing public opinion against them
| He gave a new definition Of Amcri-
can neutrality. It is not to he suspect
! ed, he said, that American hearts &c
not throb with intense sympathy OF
that American heads have not formed
clear ideas Of the merits of the great
war, and the preservation Of our neu
| trality, he declared, must not be at
tributed to q desire to keep out Of
trouble.
''We are trying to preserve the fouu
dations upon which peace can be re
built he said. "Peace can be rebuilt
only upon the ancient aud accepted
principles of international law
1t is the function of America, h,
said to stand apart unembroiled, il
order that these principles may be pre-
served for application at the end o
the war.
These were the outstanding points il
/, what is regarded here as one of tn
strongest utteranccs Of the Presiden
since he was inaugurated. The speecl
and the manner Of its delivery wer
totally dissimilar to a majority of tn
official utterances of President Wilson
He began in the attitude of restrain
and reserve which usually characterize
his utterances on international sub
iects. Then suddenly his arm shot on
/. in a vigorous gesture and he hurled hi
defiance at those citizens of Vaunte
political power who have sought t
sway the policy of the government on
way or another in partisanship wit
regard to the respective beligeren
sides
His audience was electrified RI
peatedly the President was interrupte
/ with applause, and each time he SCENE