The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-02-25

WASHINGTON. Feb. 25.--
President Wilson has turned
militant. and his critics. who
have consistently called his
policy weak.knoed and coward.
~. have had the spots knocked
of their argument.
The president today repeated
TO Speaker Clark. Majority
Leader kltchln OF the house
and Chairman Flood OF tho
house foreign committee,
statements contained In his
letter yesterday 60 Senator
stone. chairman OF the senate
foreign relations committee.
The house delegation had
asked for an expression OF the
Views OF the administration on
the strained Berlin situation.
In hts letter TO Stone, the prcsi'
dent said;
February -. 1919.
MY Dear Senator. very
warmly appreciate your Kind and
frank letter OF today. and feel that
II calls for an equally frank reply,
You are right In assuming that
| shall do everything In my power
to keep the United States out OF
war think tho country viii feel
no uneasiness about my course In
that respect. Thru many anxious
months have strlyen for that OBJ
ject. amidst difficulties moro mani
fold than can have been apparent
upon tho surface. ard SO Tar
have succeeded. do not doubt that
shalt continue 20 succeed.
"The course which the Gen.
trial European powers have ar
nouneed their Intention OF fol
lowing In the future with re-
gard 20 underses warfare
seems for the moment TO
threaten lnsuperable obstacles.
but its apparent meaning 10 40
manifestly Inconsistent with
explicit assurances recently
given us by those powers with
regard 20 their treatment OF
merchant vessels or the high
seas. that I must believe that
explanations Will presently en-
sue which Will put a different
aspect on II.
We have no reason 10 question
their good faith or their fidelity TO
their promises In the past. and ]
for one feel confident tina, We
shall have none in the future.
but. In any event. our duty Is
clear. No nation or group OF ma
tions has the right Will. the war
Il In progress To alter or disregard
the principles which all nations
have agreed upon ia mitigation OF
tn. horrors and sufferiugs Of war.
AND II THE CLEAR RIGHTS OF
AMERICAN CITIZENS SHOULD
EVER uSHAPpifY ne hBRiDG.
ED or DENIED ny ANY SUCH
ACTION, WE SHOULD. 1T
SEEMS TO ME-. HAVE ~ HON.
OR no CHOICE As TO WHAT
OUR OWN COURSE SHOULD
BE.
For my own part. cannot con
sent 10 any abridgoment OF the
rights OF American citizens In any
respect. THE HONOR AND SELF.
RESPECT OF THE NATION IS
INVOLVED. We eovet peace ard
shall preserve u at any cost but
tho loss OF honor.
ITO forbid our people 20 eser.
else their rights for fear we might
be called upon 20 slndieste them
would be a deep humiliation In.
deed.
1T would be an implicit. all but
an explicit, acqulsgcence In tho VIC.
lation OF the rights OF mankind ev-
eryghere and OF whatever milton
or allegiance.
1T would be q deliberate abdiea.
ton OF our hitherto proud position
as spokssmeu even amid the tur-
moll OF war for the Law and the
right.
1T would make everything this
government has attempted and ey-
erything that Il has achieved dur
ing this terrible struggle OF nations
meaningless and futile.
"lt 10 important 10 reflect that "
In this Instance we allowed espedi.
eney 10 take the place OF principle.
the door would inevitably be open
ed to still further concessions.
"onee accept . single abatement
Of right and many other humlIia.
tons would certainly follow. and
tho whole fine fabric OF Interna-
tIonsl law might erumble under
our hands piece by piece.
What we are eontendlno for In
this matter 10 Of the very essence
OF the things that have made
America a sovereign nation.
she cannot yield them without
conceding her own impotency as n
nation and making virtual surren.
der OF her independent position
among the nations OF the world.
II am speaking. my dear senator.
in deep solemnity. without heat
with a clear consciousness OF the
high responsibilities Of my office.
and as your sincere and devoted
friend.
II we should unhappily differ,
we shall differ as friends; but
where issues so momentous as
these are involved. we must. Just
because we are friends, speak our
minds without reservation. Faith
fully yours.
(Signed)
WOODROW WILSON"