The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-04-26
PRESS COMMENT
ON WILSON NOTE:
WILSON'S STAND FOR HUMANI.
TY LAUDED IN FRANCE AND
PRAISED GENERALLY

French press on President Wilson's
address to congress may be summed.
up in these words, which the Petit
Parisien prints, in large type, as a
heading over the text Of the speech.
'Never has the head of state
pronounced such grave words against
a state with which it was not at war"
The presidents address has made
a deep impression in France. All
the newspapers give it the place of
honor It overshadows the British
cabinet crisis, and even the arrival
of Russian forces at Marseilles. The
speech is not merely q formal in
junction, the Petit Parisien says: it
is closely-knit and stern Indictment,
pronounced in the name Of all neu-
trails against German barbarity and
duplicity, marking the German gov.
ernment with brand which nothing
can efface."
The Matin characterizes the ad-
dress as epoch-makiig and continues:
"When the responsible and almost
sovereign head Of 100,000,000 free
citizens mounts the rostruin in con-
gress to declare we are the spokes-
men of the rights of humanity he
has performed an act Of immense
moral Importance. It is in, the
name of legality that this statesman.
having behind him the country on
which the whole world depends, de-
clares before the whole world: We
will not tolerate injustice III.
"In these few words his whole mes
sage is. summed up. It is an rhistort-
cal event, which is deserving Of our
admiration as one of the noblest acts
in the memory of mankind"
"Recalls Greatest Days"
Stephen Pichon, former foreign
minister, says in the Petit Journal
that the firmness and solemnity with
which Mr.. Wilson made known his
resolution to congress recalls the
greatest days of American history.
He continues: :. 49,.
avow the action of their submarines,
they are caught in their own trap,
and all their presumption falls to
the ground before the calm and reso-
lutte attitude of a great country
standing up for the rights OF human
ity." uo
Under the heading, Germans Con-
fronted With an Honest Man." Jean
Herbette, one of the leading French
authorities on international polltlcs'
says, ,+ ,,,,s+ ho
surprised to find itself face to face
with the only force of which it is lg-
norant-conscience. If Germany
gives in it would be an unforgettable
humiliation, for it would be the tri.
umph of that ideal Of justice and
liberty against which Germany went
to war. The sinking of few ships,
more or less, would not affect Ger.
man interests greatly, but how could
Chancellor Won Bethmann.Hoil"eg
mention Belgium and Poland as
pledges in his peace programs II
the submarine, that other disloyaily
acquired weapon, had been knocked
out of his hand by champion OF the
right? The rulers open a breach IN
the fortress of their iniquities."
Suggests All Neutrals Join Hands
With the United States.
The Hague, via London, April II.
The newspapers of Holland devote
considerable space to discussions OF
and speculations on the sltuatlon
created by the American note to Ger
many. The Nieuwe Courant says
President Wilson evidently has come
to the conclusion that behind the
torpedoings by German submarines,
there is a system imposed by high
authorities"
The newspaper thinks that a rup-
ture of relations between Germany
and the United States would hurt all
belligerents and says that neutrals
would deeply regret it should the
greatest neutral find itself unable to
continue as the head of their inter-
ests. 1t recalls the great mediatory
services rendered by the United
States, such as in the treatment OF
interned prisoners and through the
Red Cross -"splendid work. to which
thousands owe their lives and health
It asks how Belgian relief: meas
ures could be continued in the event
of a rupture.
"Whatever one may think Of Pres
ident Wilson and his endless hesi-
tating notes." says the Amsterdam
Handelsblad, "few will deny that
while seeking to avoid war he always
strove to do what was right and
just"
The Handelsblad thinks that for
Holland rupture between the Unit
ed States and Germany would likely
aggravate the situation and bring
forth fresh troubles and complica-
tions and possibly still greater dlfh,
culties for Holland securing food
supplies. r a ~.
other neutrals," says the Handelsblad
"join Americas laudable endeavors
and enhance the results of them!
Will the result of the inquiry into the
sinking of the Tubantia and Palem-
bang give our government an oppor-
tunity to express strongly the ma
tional wishes regarding submarine
war, which wishes are so Identical IN