Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-01-23
WASHINGTON, 1916, WILSON, 1917.

Ou september IL, 1196, the Father OF His Conn
ri delivered an address which has been quoted as
often as any other words by any American. In this
1pcech, the immortal farewell address, Washington
said: .ss..-: -
Europe has a set OF primary interests which to us
have none. very remote relation Hence she must
be engaged In frequent controversies, the causes OF
which essentially foreign to our concerns Hence
therefore, IL must be unwise In Us TO tmplcate our
selves by artificial ties, in the ordinary ycisstudes
OF her politics. the ordinary combinations and COLI
fions Of her friendships or enmtes. -. k
Our detached and distant situation invites and en-
sbos Us 10 pursue different course. IL we remain
one people under an efficient government the period
external annoyance. III s'.-@.. I. r..
Washington's words have been given many inter
Drefafions in many circumstances Their wisdom
81 the time he uttered them cannot be questioned.
But the wisdom of all the ages was never summed
nj in the words OF mortal man. and 1906 is not 1917.
When the U-53 appeared of the New England
tbasf and sank vessels of the Allies almost within
light OF those shores the detached and distant sit
uaffon Of the United States was ended forever. We
we're no longer .isolated' from the tnmult Of the
Old World in it's death struggle. t.-...,.. . +.
Even before this, since the outbreak OF war in
1914 the Isolation to which Washington referred
VAS tradition Of the past 1t had been shattered
when, American manufacturers and American bank
ffs entered into financial treaties with the Allies
1t had been shattered when German secret agents,
Encouraged by German officials, femented bomb
IIots against the peace and order OF this country;
n had been shattered when the Lusitania was sunk
shattered again and again by the U-boats as they
kIIIed American citizens 1t had been shattered
hen Britain interfered ruthlessly with our legiti
nate foreign commerce. The arrival OF the Deutsch
land on its peaceful errand was one more in long
cries of proofs that America is not now isolated
rom fhe Old World
In every great war now the whole world is con-
cerned So gigantic are the interests involved SO
1rreaching are the military and economic methods,
hat they touch every neutral rs we'll every belIi
Ierent.s We cannot If We would draw about MS a
cloak OF isolation. Such conduct would be exactly
wise and exactly as foolish as that Of the ostrich
hich buries it's head in the sand with fancied secur
''k from external annoyance.
An this NOT an argument for any particular
.theme ota eLeague OF Nations But it is an argll.
1tnt against an attempt to stand By the letter as
vel the spirit of Washingtons words in, 1895
~ Z matter OF fact, we have long ago abandoned
'.at attitude in many lines Of public and private
We are no longer isolated This is not and can
1ot Be q hermit nafion and We must play our part
u TIE structure Of world government. We need not
lind ourselves to fight Europes battles but it is to-
on Interest help maintain Europe's peace.
WY President Wilson's words Of yesterday ere.
||ed the Qnick criticism briefly told in last nights
dispatches Is not exactly clear Perhaps the speech
~ fll contained passages not carried in the wireless
report passages committing the United States to
some definite course But If not the criticism is nm
|n<tifie1 since the League Of Nations is not new
proposal and because Wilson points out the respon-
<bties such aftion involves for the United States,
n not n reason for eondnmnafion Tlaflanr fha 10