Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1915-12-07
PAN -AMERICANISM IS
KEYNOTE IN WILSON'S
CONGRESS MESSAGE.

has altered the whole face of interna-
tional affairs, and now presents a
prospect of reorganization and recon-
ctruction, such as statesmen and peo-
pies have never been called upon to
nttempt before
The United States has remained neu-
tral, he said, because it had no inter
est in the causes, and because it was
the Guty of the nations of the western
hemisphere to prevent collective eco
onljc ruin.
The president pointed to the attitude
of the United States towards Mexico
as proving that this country has no
selfish motives in it's interest in coun
tries in Central and South America.
There was a time, he said, when the
United States looked upon itself as a
sort of guardian of the republics to
the south as against the encroach-
ment or efforts of political control
from Europe.
But" he added, 1T was always diff
ficult to maintain such a role without
offense to the pride of the peoples
whose freedom of action we sought to
protect, and every thoughtful man of
affairs must welcome the altered cir
cumstances of the new day in whose
light we now stand, when there is no
claim of guardianship or thought of
wards, but, instead, full and honor
able association of partners between
ourselves and our neighbors, in the
interests of all America, North nd
South.
Our concern for the independence
and prosperity of the States of Cen
trail and South America is not altered.
We retain unabated the spirit that has
inspired throughout the whole life of
our government and which was so
frankly put into words by President
Monroe We still mean always to
make a common cause of national in
dependence and of political liberty in
America. But that purpose is now bet
ter understood SO far as it concerns
ourselves. 1t is known not to be a
selfish purpose. 1t is known to have
in it no thought of taking advantage
of any government in this hemis-
phere or playing its political fortunes
for our benefit. All the governments
of America stand, so far as we are
concerned, upon a footing of genuine
equality and unquestioned independ-
ence.
We have been put to the test in the
case of Mexico, and we have stood the
test" declared the president He add
ed that it remained to be seen whether
Mexico had been benefited by the
course taken by the administration,
Tut that I'VE have at least proved that
We will not take advantage of her in
ter distress and undertake to impose
upon her an order and government of
our own choosing"
The passion of the American people,
the president declared, was for peace;
that conquest and Dominion was not in
their reckoning, nor agreeable to their
principles.
War, the president declared, was re-
garded by the United States merely as
means of asserting the rights of q
people against aggression, and that
we are as fiercely jealous of coerciye
or dictatorial power within our own
nation as from aggression from with
cut" He said the nation would not
maintain a standing army except for
uses which are as necessary in times
CT peace as in times of war, but that
tie country did believe in body Of
free citizens ready and sufficient to
take care of themselves and of the