The Washington herald., 1916-06-10
French View of Presidents Speech.

with journalists which the press reproduced at
hrst in part and later in full. Undoubtedly the
normal peace of his country by categorical
affirmation of neutrality. But this affirmation
has, it appears, carried him further than was
necessary. Neutrality and skepticism not
synonymous.
The ties that bind us to the Americans are
SO deep that we may speak frankly to them.
When the President says: THE present quarrel
does not concern u.s." he states a fact: When
he adds This question has involved so far
those engaged in it that they cannot maintain
themselves within the limits Of responsibility" he
is unfair towards the nations which in this quar-
rel defend, against an odious aggression, the
written right and the natural right. When he
concludes: "If the rest Of the world has become
insane, why not refuse to have anything to do
with this rest of the word?' he offends the free
nations which struggling for their liberty,
their dignity and their existence.
1t is all right to be neutral. But it is not
the demands of the individual and national con-
science. 1t has seemed at times as if the Pope
disregarded this truth and this has grieved many
French hearts 1t hurts us-and need not
conceal it-that the elected head Of the American
democracy should be inspired with the same
diletantesms Ia and refuse to proclaim the right
boldly declared themselves.
Mr. Wilson asserts that we are being carried
away beyond the ordinary limits Of response
bility. We are the contrary convinced that
to the breaking Of her word, when France de-
Tended her invaded frontiers, when Russia fought
for the existence of Serba-we deeply con-
WINGED that these powers acted in full knowledge
OF the most sacred responsibility and that the
right that they proclaim goes hand in hand with
their duty
The President we know, may plead the old
Monroe doctrine in its narrowest forms, which
is afectation of dsdainful indifference to
European affairs. But nation of ninety million
of people cannot retire at will into an ivory
of ideas of the last twenty centuries. Two sys-
TENS of morality, two life conceptions op-
posed. We be politically neutral. We
cannot be morally neutral We must make our
choice. The choice of the American elite is
made, and to know its own mind it did not
await the torpedoing of the Lusitana.
The, American elite, we know and we are
cal reserve OF its President. Addresses from
universities, Roosevelts, Roots and Eliot's
speeches have already proved to the world that
chosen the side of freedom There is no doubt
that Mr.. Wilson does not feel differently, but
nevertheless it is much to be regretted that the
misnterpretation of his duties makes him ap-
pear, according to the noble expression of NJ
Paul Hyacinthe- -Loyson, neutral in face OF
crime"
Until the day of victory comes we shall
not tire of repeating, our hand on our sword
that we are unfolding international honor. Our
clear conscience is, in fact, a, part of our
strength. We owe to it the sacred union -
Thanks to It, all Frenchmen are OrotherS and
between the allied nations prevails the same
fraternity. The violence of the quarrel has not,
as Mr.. Wilson deems, driven out Of minds.
Our reason revolted against aggression. Our
reason tells US that we are fighting for just
cause and that battlefelds saving
the future of human freedom.
We do not ask the neutrals to sacrifice their
interests to US. We only ask them not to keep
to themselves what their conscience urges them
to tell Every comparison of struggle of
defense with the of plunder launched by
the enemy hurts to the bottom of our hearts,
for amidst our hardships the certainty of being
free from responsibility is comfort and a
guide to US. Mr.. Wilson, the author of the note
which has riveted Germany to her crimes can
not have forgotten that in this atrocous struggle
the murderers of women and children all on
one side.
If it is in view of subsequent action of
mediation that the American President has
thought it necessary to far his judg-
ment we consider that he deludes himself in
the aim and the means For in this supposition
the respect for right in the of which we
fight, should impose itself upon the mediator as
his first duty, and if he should try to avoid it,
his authority would be undermined. Germany
wished to fortify injustice. Our strength en-
deavors to destroy it and our victory will be
the victory of international integrity.
Our strong attachment to the Americans
makes US feel deeply all that comes from them.
But an unfortunate word of their President counts
but little in comparison with the many proofs of
appreciation and friendship that we have re-
ceived from across the sea-Paris Temps, May
20.