The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1917-08-09

The outbreak OF the wer In 1914
caught this nation by surprise. The
people OF Europe had had az least
come waning OF the coming storm,
but 20 us such blind. savage on
slaught on the ideals OF civilization
had appeared Impossible.
The war incompreheasIblc Either
side was championsd hers by millions
living among us who we're OF Europ-
can birth. Their contradictory ac-
cuations threw our thoughts into
disarrat and ipthe nrrt chaotic days
we could see no clear Issue thJt Affect
ed our rstional policy. There was no
direct assault on our rights. II seemed
at first 10 most OF US n purely Europ-
can despute. and our minds we're not
prepared 70 take sides In such con-
nict. The presidents proclamation
OF neutrality wrs received by us as
natural aud Inevitable. II was quick
ly followed by his appeal 10 the cit
izens OF the Republic"
Every man who really loves Amer
lisa will act and speak In the true
spirit OF neutrality" he said, (which
Is that OF impartIally and fairness
and fricndlimees TO all concerned.
II will be easy 10 excite
passion and dificulty 10 allay IT,"
lie expressed tho fear that aur Nation
might become divided in camps OF
hostile opinion. such divisions
among US seriously stand
IN the wcy OF the proper performance
OF our duty as the ono great nation
st peace. the one people holding itself
ready TO play pert " impartial med
iatlon aad speak COUNCILS OF peace and
accommodation, no, as a partisan. but
as a friend"
This purpose--tlie preservation oil
a strict neutrality IN order that later
we might be OF use In the great task
OF mediation. dominated all the Presi-
dent's early speeches,
1--WE are the mediating Nation OF
the world" he declared in an address
on April 20. 1915. I'VE are CON-
pounded OF the nations OF the world /;
We mediate their blood. we mediate
their traditions. we mediate their
sentiments. their tastes. their pas
sIons: we are ourselves compounded
OF those things We are. therefore
able 10 understand them In the COM
pound. not separately As paTtisans'
but united as knowing and compro-
hending and embodying them all. II
Is In that sense tina I mean that
America is a neciating Nati,D."
American neutrality. in those 6rst
months OF the great war, wae beyond
any question real,
But the spirit OF neutrality was not
easy TO maintain. Public opinion was
deeply stirred By the German invasion
og Belgium and by reports OF afro
cities there. The Royal Belgium
Commission. which came In septem-
Der. 1914, TO lay their eounigs's cause
for complaint be'-re our National
Government. was recaived witAsym-
path and respect. The President In
his reply reserved our decision In the
affair. II was tie only course he
could take without an abrupt depart
lture from our most treasured tradi-
tions Ct noninterf .fofcs In Old World
deeputcs 'Bur tie sympathy OF
America went cut TO the Belzians In
their herotic tragedy. and from every
section OF our land money contribu-
tions aa- supplies Of lcod and cloth
ing poured over TO the comrission for
Relief IN Belglm, which was under
the abs management Of our fellow
countrymon abfsad.
still. ths thought cf tax le an ac-
tive pat ia this European waa very
far from most Of our nisda. The
Nation shared with the President ths
belief that BY maintaining strict
neutrality W. could best serve Eurq&s
Al the end a. Impartial media,ors.
But ia the very srAt days Of the
war our Government ioresaw that